Indian Ocean Trade Network

The Indian Ocean Trade Network was a vibrant system of maritime commerce connecting Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia from ancient times through the Middle Ages. It facilitated the exchange of goods like spices, textiles, precious stones, and metals, as well as ideas, culture, and religion. Merchant ships navigated these waters using monsoon winds, enabling efficient travel and trade across diverse regions. This network fostered economic growth, cultural interactions, and the spread of innovations, shaping the development of civilizations around the Indian Ocean basin over centuries.