The Indian Ocean Trade

The Indian Ocean Trade was a historic network where merchants and ships exchanged goods, ideas, and cultures across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East from around 500 CE to 1500 CE. It connected key regions like India, Arabia, East Africa, Southeast Asia, and China, facilitating the trade of spices, textiles, gold, and ivory. The trade was supported by monsoon winds, enabling predictable sea routes. This exchange promoted economic growth, cultural interactions, and the spread of technologies and religions, shaping the development of diverse civilizations along the Indian Ocean rim.