Indian Ocean Trade

By jharris038
  • 3000 BCE

    Monsoon winds

    Monsoon wind patterns were discovered. Stars were also used to navigate across the Arabian Sea.
  • 600 BCE

    Spread of Religions

    Between 600 and 300 BCE, many religions spread across the bay of Bengal to Southeast Asia. Some of those religions were, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
  • 600 BCE

    Indigo

    The indigo plant was found in Babylon. The color from the plant was used to dye Chinese silk.
  • Period: 600 BCE to 501 BCE

    Central Plains Region

    Iron was used to make tools such as the spade and the knife. This led to cast iron being used in the middle of the 5th Century BCE
  • 522 BCE

    Darius the First

    Darius the First was the ruler of Persia from 522-486 B.C.E. He began sending Greeks and Romans to trade on the Indian Ocean.
  • 500 BCE

    Greeks and Romans

    Greeks and Romans began trading on the Indian Ocean after 500 B.C.E
  • 322 BCE

    Chandra Gupta

    Chandra Gupta established the Mauryan Empire in 322 BCE.
  • Period: 299 BCE to 200 BCE

    Domestication of Camel

    The trade route connected Southeast Asia, India, and East Africa. The domestication of the camel helped bring goods such as silk, porcelain, slaves, and incense.
  • Period: 273 BCE to 232 BCE

    Ashoka the Great

    Ashoka was was the Mauryan Emperor who began in his grandfather's violent footsteps. He eventually became an emperor that encouraged peace with neighboring peoples. Trading with other kingdoms was successful due to his compassion.
  • 265 BCE

    Chandra Gupta

    Trade expanded under the Mauryan Empire around 265 BCE. Silk, textiles, and spices were some of the most popular goods.
  • Period: 206 BCE to 220

    Han Dynasty

    The Han Dynasty ruled China from 206 BCE to 220 CE. During their rule, inventions such as paper and the waterwheel were created.
  • 200 BCE

    Austronesian Mariners and Traders

    Austronesian mariners sailed towards the west from the eastern ocean. They reached India, and settled on the island of Madagascar.
  • 139 BCE

    General Zhang Quian

    General Zhang Quian attributed to being the founder of the Silk Road. He reigned as general from around 139 BCE to 119 BCE.
  • 130 BCE

    Silk Road

    The Silk Road was established in 130 BCE when the Han Dynasty began trading with the west.
  • Period: 100 BCE to 600

    Diseases

    Diseases such as smallpox and measles caused a decline in populations. Empires began to weaken. Trade decreased.
  • Period: 127 to 151

    Kanishka the Great

    Kanishka the Great was a ruler in Central Asia. As King, he controlled much of the Silk Road and spread Buddhism throughout the land. As a result of his eastward expansion, he introduced Buddhism to China