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What led to the decline of the Indian Ocean trade network?

Mafalda Proud

I think there were a number of factors that contributed to the decline of the Indian Ocean trade network.

Firstly, there were the external factors. The rise of the European powers such as Portugal, Spain, France, and Britain militarily and commercially challenged Indian Ocean trade routes. They established their own trade routes to the Indian Ocean region which directly cut into the long established network. This competition from European powers started in the early 1500s and continued throughout the 17th and 18th centuries.

Secondly, there were internal factors. The political instability and the rivalry between the Muslim and the Hindu rulers of the Indian subcontinent also weakened the Indian Ocean trade network. They engaged in regional conflicts and commercial competition, which led to the disruption of long-existing trade routes. Such conflicts included Mughal-Maratha wars, Deccan wars, and the competition between the Maratha, the British, and the Dutch for control of trade routes in the Western Indian Ocean.

Thirdly, the climatic factors also played an important role in contributing to the decline of the Indian Ocean trade network. The monsoon winds are central to maritime trade in the region. Goods were transported in ships to and from different ports of the Indian Ocean region according to the rhythm of the monsoons. Unpredictable monsoons, weather-induced disasters such as cyclones and typhoons, and droughts hampered the trade network.

Fourthly, the rise of other trading regions such as the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf also led to the decline of Indian Ocean trade network. These factors impacted India’s contribution to the network as a major trading partner.

Finally, the decline of the Indian Ocean trade network also reflected broader global economic changes in the 18th century. The widening dominance of the Atlantic economy over the Asian economy marked a shift in global trade. The Industrial Revolution had begun in Europe and there were vast technological changes in shipping. Steamships largely replaced sailing ships, and the costs and the speed of transport reduced substantially. This resulted in the decline of many traditional trade routes, including the Indian Ocean trade network.

In conclusion, the decline of the Indian Ocean trade network was caused by a number of internal and external factors, including political instability and conflicts, climatic factors, changes in global trade, and the emergence of new trading regions. The Indian Ocean trade network, once the hub of global trade, faded away, but its influence can still be felt in the cultural, social, and economic history of the region.