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Maritime Trade Network of the Malay Archipelago

Type Event Region Southeast Asia Time 701–800

In the 8th century, ports of the Malay Archipelago linked Indian Ocean and South China Sea trade into a single system through the Malacca and Sunda S…

Timeline

  1. 701–750Strait of Malacca · Strait of MalaccaPorts at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula and the northern Sumatran coast became natural transshipment stations for monsoon navigation; Arab and Indian merchants transshipped goods to South China Sea ports, and local rulers profited through tariffs and escort services.
  2. 750–800Northern Java and Sumatran ports · Malay ArchipelagoSpices, camphor, tin, and forest products were shipped via Javanese and Sumatran ports to Tang China and India, while Buddhist and Hindu artistic styles spread along trade routes, fostering a culturally diverse pattern in archipelago port cities.

Sources