History of Indian Ocean Trade

Discovery of Monsoon Season Winds

3000 BCE

As early as 3,000 b.c.e., natives of the Indian subcontinent noted a specialized wind pattern that occurred during the monsoon season.

Monsoon Winds Become Established

1000 BCE

Greater definition of the monsoon season wind pattern leads to an interest in trading.

Scylax of Caryanda

510 BCE

Scylax of Caryanda was an early explorer who traversed the Indian Ocean in service of Persia's King Darius. He returned with positive news regarding the potential for trade and later wrote a handbook for mariners.

Achaemenid Empire

500 BCE

Though the Persian Empire would fall before the majority of trade routes were established, the Persians were part of Indian Ocean trading through the later years of the empire.

Invention of the Dhow

500 BCE

One invention facilitated Indian Ocean trade more than any other: the dhow boat, which allowed for large and heavy goods to be transported easily across large bodies of water. Unfortunately, there are no precise records as to which society invented the dhow.

Major Goods of Mesopotamia

450 BCE

It is likely that Mesopotamia took part in early Indian Ocean trade, though they seem to have become less involved as time passed. Glassware appears to be their most common export, and glass luxury items have been found in dig sites in China and India.

Spread of Religions

450 BCE

Between 500 and 300 b.c.e., Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism spread to cultures surrounding the Indian Ocean.

Mauryan Empire

350 BCE

The Mauryan Empire of the Indian subcontinent began using the Indian Ocean for trading as early as 350 b.c.e.

Well-Established Trade

300 BCE

Trade was well-established by the third century b.c.e. Most major players were in place and main ports were being established.

Major Port: Ubar

300 BCE

Ubar, a port in present-day Oman, thrived due to its production of incense.

Major Goods of Africa

250 BCE

Africa traded in-land to acquire goods to use in their Indian Ocean trading. These goods included gold, iron, and ivory.

Major Goods of Asia

250 BCE

Asia produced many fine goods that were in high demand, including silk, cotton, and porcelain.

Major Goods of India

250 BCE

India traded a variety of goods as well, mainly gold, medicine, spices, clothing dyes, and pearls.

Han Dynasty

200 BCE

The Han Dynasty of China was next to contribute to Indian Ocean trade, beginning as early as 200 b.c.e.

Popular Good: Incense

200 BCE

Frankincense and myrrh are made from the sap of trees that grow exclusively in Ethiopia, Somalia, and southern Arabia. This incense was commonly transported on the so-called Incense Road, but a fair portion also made its way across the Indian Ocean.

Roman Empire

25 BCE

Though the Roman Empire was somewhat late to the trading game, they revolutionized the processes with three major ports.

Major Goods of the Romans

1 BCE

The Romans exported a variety of goods to the Indian Ocean trade. Wine, clothing, and various metals were the main goods. The Romans also traded coins if the value of the metal they were made of was able to be traded favorably.

Roman Coins Traded

37

Archaeologists have uncovered Roman coins from the early days of the common era in India, China, and other far-off places.

'Periplus of the Erythraean Sea'

70

'Periplus of the Erythraean Sea' was a trader's handbook written and published around 70 CE by an Egyptian merchant (Periplus). It was written in Greek.

Antonine Plague

165

Ships returning from military missions brought back what was called the Antonine Plague (most historians believe it to have been a form of smallpox). The disease ravaged Rome for fifteen years, permanently damaging Rome's relationship with the Indian Ocean trading routes.