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Around 6000 BCE farming emerged around the Indian Ocean around the Nile and Tigris-Euphrates rivers. barley, wheat, and rice were the earlier crops followed by yams and bananas.
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Artifacts and inscriptions dating from 4000 BCE and 3000 BCE support that trading occurred along the shores of Mesopotamia and the Arabian Gulf. The rising of civilization caused the need for resources which in turn inclined the need for trade. Wood, stone, jewelry, and items for war were common items for trade.
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In order to increase the efficiency of trade, plank ships were made this helped coasting over long and short distances to carry goods easier.
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The seasonal monsoon winds, combined with the ability to navigate the stars allowed travel through wider and more open seas possible.
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By 1000 BCE, a clearer picture of trade is attributed to written records and dated artifacts. Around this time it is suspected that long-distance trade between Egypt and Mesopotamia ceases.
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With trade, came the spread of different religions. Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism spread throughout Southeast Asia. Many in search for knowledge collected sacred texts, found religious communities, and found shrines.
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By 500 BCE, the Greeks and Romans entered the Indian Ocean, sent there by Darius I.
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Under the Song and Tang Dynasties, maritime trade grew rapidly. As trade was established, so was an in imperial navy to protect traders from pirates.
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4000 ships per year visited the port of Guangzhou. The port became a cosmopolitan place for the mixing of religions. This became a large community and many places of worship were established here.
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Spices, silk, sandalwood, and rice were traded. Tea and porcelain became a luxury to trade.
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The Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) restored Chinese rule, after the invasion of the Mongols in the 13th century. in 1405 they began the great maritime adventure of the Ming Voyages under Admiral Zheng He. There were 5 voyages with hundreds of ships that visited ports from one end of the Indian River to the other.
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The Portuguese experimented voyages around West Africa, which led them into the Indian Ocean. This unfortunately resulted in the Atlantic slave trade. Increased sailing experience and knowledge also allowed passage into the Americas.
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By the 1600s, the Europeans became more dominant in the Indian Ocean. They developed finance, banks, improved ships and weapons, and supported the rulers of the lands in which they traded.
