Maritime Trade of India in the ancient period

The products like textile, silk, metal works, jewelry, perfumes, iron, steel, metal implements, nails, Handles, plough blades, brassware, bronze ornaments, copper ornaments, copper utensils, silver ornaments, gold ornaments, precious stones, gemstones, swords, ivory, herbal medicines, wooden implements, chariot wheels and parts, stoneware’s, wooden toys and potteries were exported from India to South-East Asia, China, Japan and other countries. The items like silk yarns, cotton yarns, woollen goods, raw gemstones, spices, fruits, medicinal herbs, pearls, animal horns, conch, gold, silver, copper, Zinc, lead and tin and spices, were imported from south East Asian countries. Silk, cotton and woollen yarns were imported from China. Gold, silver, copper, data palms, perfumes, carpets, decorative items, Gun powder and medicines were imported from Rome, Greece and Persia. Some of the items like Spices, raw gemstones, cotton and silk yarns, gold, silver, copper and zinc were processed and used for making quality products in India. These products were further exported to rich countries like Greece, Rome and Persia. The best products of jewelry, gem stones, metal wares, textiles, and spices were exported to the European countries. Discovery of coins of Rome, Greece, Persia, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, China, and Cambodia in the archaeological site of India is a strong evidence of Maritime trade between India and these countries. Archaeological findings from Tamralipti, Gulbai (Chilka) , Kalingapatnam, Nagapatnama, Poduka, and Konam explained about the maritime power, trade and prosperity of India

Kalinga and Chola were dominant powers in maritime trade with south East Asia. The spread of Buddhism and Hinduism to the south East Asian regions was mainly due to the maritime trade between Kalinga and this region. The preachers, monks and saints followed the merchants to propagate the religion and culture of India. The Mauryan emperors were encouraging maritime trades and tried to propagate Hinduism and Buddhism in Sri Lanka and South East Asia Region.The Chola Kings having naval ships and merchant ships encouraged maritime trade with Sri Lanka and South East Asia and dominated the Maritime Trade up to 15th century. South India was a hub for trading between Middle East and south Asian region. Emperor Ashoka sent his son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra from Puri (Kalinga) to Sri Lanka for the spread of Buddhism. The Chinese scholar and traveler (Fa-Hien) visited India by ship from Burma and landed at Tamralipti. He returned to China along with his friends by ship. He started from Tamralipti to China via Burma-Malay-Cambodia-Champa (Vietnam)

Chinese traveler Xuanzang visited India and went to Sri Lanka and South East Asia by ship from Puri (Kalinga). In the ancient age, Thailand (Siam) was known as Suvarnabhumi( land of Gold) due to availability of plenty of gold. Bali was known as Suvrnadweepa for the same reason. Java was Jawadweepa. Shailendra dynasty and Srivijaya dynasty ruled the south east Asian region for a long time. Hindu and Buddhist princes from Kalinga came to Burma, Sumatra, Java, Bali and Cambodia by 75 BC. It is believed that after the Kalinga war and its devastation, a number of people from Royal class, Warrior class and aristocrats left Kalinga by ships. They arrived in Sri Lanka and moved to Sumatra, Java, Bali, Cambodia and Champa. Around 20000 families came to South East Asian regions from Kalinga within this period.

Bali has Hindu religion in an ancient form still now. The temples of Bali, Java, Sumatra and Cambodia have the imprints of Kalinga and Chola Temple architecture. The Muslim traders of Yemen, Persia, and Arab countries came to Gujarat, Kerala and Sri Lanka. They followed the traders of south India and Sri Lanka and to places like Java, Sumatra and Malay. Due to their access, to the markets of Rome, Egypt and European countries, they try to dominate the spice trade of south East Asia. By the end of 7th Century AD, the dominance of maritime trade of Kalinga was under threat. Slowly, the Chola kings of south India overtook the maritime trade of south East Asia; Srivijaya dynasty dominated the south East Asian regions and helped the maritime trade to boom. But there was rivalry between Chola Kings and Srivijaya kings. There was a war between these two powers by 1007 AD. The Srivijaya Dynasty was defeated by the army and navy of Rajendra Chola. The political and trading power of South India, Sumatra, Java and Sri Lanka came under the control of Rajendra Chola.

After Some Period, the Chola dynasty weakened in South India. Some princes belonging to Srivijaya dynasty took over the reins of Malay, Java, Sumatra and Bali. The Muslim traders became active and persuaded to get grants for maritime trading in this region. The Malay Peninsula was divided into smaller states. Some rulers of these states were converted to Islam and declared themselves as Sultans. The king of Java died and one of his sons captured the throne of Java. He converted into Islam and captured Sumatra. The king of Sumatra was also forced to accept Islam. The intellectuals, nobles and aristocrats who opposed to acceptance of Islam, migrated to Bali. They preserved the Hindu religion in Bali. There were many attacks on Bali by the rulers of Java and Sumatra, But the Balinese warriors defended their country and religion.

In the beginning of 14th Century, the Dutch travelers came to Java, Sumatra, Bali and Borneo Islands. They established ports and trading centers in these islands. The Dutch traders started trading of spices, silk, gold, silver, copper and tin. Travelers from China, Japan, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand regularly visited Malay, Java, Sumatra, Bali and Borneo. The Chinese and Japanese traders exchanged items with Dutch merchants. By the end of 7th Century, the British and French traders came to South-East Asian region from India and Sri Lanka. The British East India Company became dominant in India and Sri Lanka. The British East India Company established a base in Burma. By this time, Australia and New Zealand were under the control of British Empires.