-
1500 BCE
Domestication of Camels
Domesticated camels helped transport goods to inland civilizations such as porcelain, silks pieces, incense, ivory, and sometimes even slaves. -
320
Reciprocal Trade Influences
Roman Aristocrats were seen in Chinese silk.
Roman coins became prevalent in Indian treasuries.
Persian jewels showed up in Maurya villages & towns. Religions began to spread through merchants (not missionary style). Between 326 BCE & 220 AD -
326
Classical Period
Maurya Empire in India, Han Dynasty in China, the Achaemenid Empire in Persia, as well as Roman Empire in the Mediterranean ran the trade community within the Indian Ocean. -
Period: 400 to 1500
Medieval Period of History
During this time, Srivijaya Empire (now modern day Indonesia) created and blossomed on taxes of trading vessels that passed through their narrow straits in order to reach their destinations (Malacca Straits) -
Period: 618 to 907
Tang Dynasty
Emphasized Trade along with Song Dynasty along silk roads and incorporated maritime trade into their culture -
700
Spread of Islam
Islamic beliefs, culture, and traditions spread similarly to the religions spread by merchants. -
750
Arabian Peninsula Caliphates
Umayyad (661-750) & Abassid (750-1258) caliphates were prominent in the trade market along the Arabian Peninsula -
Period: 960 to 1279
Song Dynasty
Along with Tang dynasty, emphasized trade into nautical routes, and along the silk roads. Also created a powerful navy to control piracy in the Eastern Areas of the Trade Routes along the Indian Ocean -
1405
Yongle Emperor
Chinese Emperor dispatched 7 expeditions to visit all major trading partners around the Indian Ocean in hopes of expanding trade outlets -
1498
Here come the Europeans
The Europeans decided to erupt onto the Indian Ocean Trading Scene in true fashion. The demand for Asian luxury in Europe had exploded, so they sought more. However, they did not have anything to reciprocate trade with. Nobody needed anymore furs, pots, or anything else that the Europeans had to offer -
1500
Portuguese Pirates
The Portuguese civilization decided to pirate the trade routes, rather than actually partner with them productively. They seized Calicut in India, and Macau in China. -
Dutch East India Company (VOC)
The VOC sought a total monopoly on spices -- mainly nutmeg & mace. -
Britain East India Company
Europeans tried again with the British East India Company & challenged the VOC. The British East India Company ultimately claimed political control over parts of Asia, Indonesia, India, Malaya, & regions of South East Asia, turning them into British colonies -
Collapse of Asian Trading
Due to the British invasion of 1680, the Asian trading market surrounding the Indian Ocean became increasingly poor, and ultimately collapsed.