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3000 BCE
First recorded emergence of trade in the Indian Ocean
Trade was started by travelers in canoes and rafts moving goods between towns and trading ports along the coast. -
Period: 2600 BCE to 1900 BCE
Trade began between Harappa and Mesopotamia
Trade between the Harappan civilization started importing millet and sorghum from the east African coast, likely also exporting early fabrics. -
Period: 2300 BCE to 1760 BCE
Cotton emerged
India began producing and exporting cotton fabric, which replaced wool in most countries. -
Period: 600 BCE to 300 BCE
Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism spread
Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism spread through foreign merchants and missionaries traveling along the trade route. -
Period: 600 BCE to 600
The Dhow was invented
The Dhow was used by merchants along the Indian Ocean and Red Sea trade routes, invented some time between 600 BCE and 600 CE, it originated in India -
500 BCE
Greek and Roman sailors enter the Indian Ocean
Persian ruler Darius I sent Greek and Roman sailors into the Indian Ocean for trade bringing with them ceramics, glassware, wine, gold, and olive oil -
326 BCE
Nearchus sailed from Indus to the Arabian Gulf
Alexander the Great sent Nearchus from Indus to the Arabian Gulf -
323 BCE
Ptolemies learns about the monsoon system in the Indian Ocean
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323 BCE
Asia, Africa, and the Mediterranean were joined into one network by Sea Lanes.
Sea Lanes were used to united the regions into one trade network with India trading spices and pepper, Persia and Egypt trading grain, and the Mediterranean traded wine and oil. -
Period: 206 BCE to 220
Han Dynasty and the first compass
During the rule of the Han Dynasty the first magnetic compass was invented -
200 BCE
Astrolabe invented
The first Astrolabe, which was invented by Hipparchus, is used to determine time as well as positional guidance based on the location of the Sun and stars. -
118 BCE
Eudoxus of Cyzicus
A Greek explorer and sea navigator was the first sailor who managed a trip between the Arabian and Indian ports. His first trip in 118 BCE was successful, however a second trip in 116 BCE was completed without the assistance of an Indian guide. During his second trip he realized that circumventing Africa was possible. -
Period: 63 BCE to 14
Expansion of trade due to Pax Romana
Peace had come to Rome under ruler Augustus Caesar and during this time trade flourished -
Period: 75 to 632
Islam spreads
Christianity spreads through the Indian Ocean trade route through the help of merchants and missionaries, -
78
The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea
The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, a travel and trade guide was written by a first century merchant -
Period: 100 to 700
Christianity spreads
Christianity spreads through the Indian Ocean trade route through the help of merchants and missionaries. -
Period: 101 to 200
The Lateen sail is invented
Some time during the 2nd century CE the Lateen sail was invented, becoming the first sail to function with the wind in both directions. -
Period: 161 to 180
The plague of Galen
Brought to new ports by traveling soldiers and merchants an epidemic cause widespread disease on the Han and Roman empires