The Indian Ocean Trade Route
Unit 2: c. 1200-1450
Main Ideas:
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Improved environmental knowledge & maritime tech → Increased reach & scope of this trade route
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Growth of interregional trade → Fostered growth of powerful trading cities & states
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Merchants of different cultures congregated in key trading cities → Set up cosmopolitan cultural centers → Exchanged cultural and religious ideas with each other
The Indian Ocean Basin Trade Routes
A Maritime Trade Route Connecting East Africa, Arabia, India, Southeast Asia, & China
Key Ideas:
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Improved maritime tech and environmental knowledge increased the scope of the trade route
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Maritime tech (compass, astrolabe, stronger ships such as dhow & junk) made it easier to travel longer distances
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Knowledge of the monsoon winds (seasonal wind patterns in the Indian Ocean) allowed merchants to efficiently travel throughout the region
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Growth of trade → Fostered growth of powerful trading cities & states
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Many cities & kingdoms profited & grew from Indian Ocean Trade
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Swahili City-States (East Africa), Chola Empire, Sultanate of Malacca, Southeast Asian kingdoms, etc.
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Many powerful trading cities emerged (Malacca, Cambay, Calicut, etc.)
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Merchants of different cultures congregated in a few key trading cities → Set up cosmopolitan cultural centers → Significant cultural exchange
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Religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam were exchanged
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Sufi Islam was popular due to its emotional appeal & its compatibility with other religions
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Goods & Ideas Exchanged:
Hinduism
Buddhism
Sufi Islam
Spices & Tea
Cotton
Textiles
A dhow (an Indian ship) in the Indian Ocean

A photo of Calicut, a key trading center in the Indian Ocean Trade Route
