Timeline of the Indian Ocean Trade Route

By Ehoffmaneh
  • 330 BCE

    Archaemenid Empire

    This Persian empire joined the ocean trade (550-330 BCE). Traded jewels
  • 300 BCE

    Beginning of Trade

    The trade routes connected SE Asia, India, Arabia and East Africa. Gujarat and Arabian trades began to get involved through use of triangle sailed dhows that worked with monsoon winds.
  • 300 BCE

    Goods traded

    During this time goods such as silk porcelain, spices, ivory and slaves were traded.
  • 185 BCE

    Mauryan Empire

    Indian empire (324-185 BCE)
  • 200

    Religion

    Ideas and religion was also spreading during this time of trade and globalization. Concepts such as Buddhism and Hinduism spread through merchants.
  • 220

    Han Dynasty

    Traded silk (202 BCE-220 CE)
  • 476

    Roman Empire

    Roman coins and ideas were exchange (33 BCE - 476 CE)
  • 618

    Tang Dynasty

    Traded along the Silk Road which was land based and focused on maritime trade. (618-907 CE)
  • 661

    Umayyad and Abbasid Caliphates

    These caliphates rose to power through 661 CE to 1258 CE. These were attractive trading opportunities for merchants. Muslim cities with wealth help to create a demand for luxury goods.
  • 700

    Islam

    Spread through merchants during the 700s
  • 960

    Song Dynasty

    The Song Dynasty created an imperial navy to help police piracy over the trade route. (960-1279 CE)
  • 1200

    Angkor Civilization

    From Cambodia, they used the Mekong River to join the Indian Ocean trade. (800 - 1327 CE)
  • 1279

    The Chola Empire

    Southern India. Attracted travelers due to their luxury goods and displays of wealth
  • 1498

    The Portuguese

    Around 1498, Portuguese sailors first appeared in the Inidan Ocean trade. Led by Vasco de Gama. Europe wanted luxury goods but had nothing to trade as the people around the Indian Ocean did not need fur clothing or iron cooking equipment.

  • Dutch East India Company

    Appearing in 1602, the Dutch wanted to obtain a monopoly on the traded goods such as nutmeg.

  • British East India Company

    In 1680 they wanted control over the trade route. Europe began to gain control over crucial parts of Asia and colonizing it. This led to goods being sent to Europe and the former emperors of the trading route were left poor.