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Flourishing of Indian Ocean Trade

Type Event Region South Asia Time 901–1000

In the 10th century, Indian Ocean maritime trade flourished, with dense routes linking India's coasts, Sri Lanka, Arabia, East Africa, and Southeast …

Timeline

  1. 901–980Malabar Coast · IndiaMalabar and Gujarat ports gathered Arab and Persian Muslim merchants who used the southwest monsoon to sail between the Red Sea and Persian Gulf. Pepper, cinnamon, gems, and cotton were shipped west to Asia and the Mediterranean, making India the western core of Indian Ocean trade.
  2. 920–1000Coromandel Coast · IndiaThe Chola dynasty controlled Coromandel ports; merchant ships sailed south to Srivijaya, Champa, and more distant islands, and north to Bengal and mainland Southeast Asia. Tamil merchants and the Chola navy jointly expanded eastbound routes, forming a trade belt linking South and Southeast Asia.
  3. 950–1000Swahili Coast · East AfricaAccording to Arab geographers, in the 10th century Indian ships reached Swahili ports of East Africa, exchanging ivory, gold, slaves, and Indian Ocean goods. South Asia, West Asia, and East Africa formed a triangular trade network, laying the foundation for the later, broader Indian Ocean commercial system.

Sources