The Indian Ocean - Michael Pearson [0]
The Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean, used and travelled by humans for over 5,000 years, is by far the 'oldest' sea in history. In this stimulating and authoritative study, Michael Pearson reverses traditional maritime history and looks from the sea to its shores – its impact on the land through trade, naval power, travel and scientific exploration. This vast ocean, both connecting and separating nations, has shaped many countries' cultures and ideologies through the movement of goods, people, ideas and religions across the sea.
The Indian Ocean moves from a discussion of physical aspects such as shape, winds, currents and boundaries, to a history from pre-Islamic times to the modern period of European dominance. Going far beyond pure maritime history, this compelling survey is an invaluable addition to political, cultural and economic world history.
Michael Pearson is Emeritus Professor at the University of New South Wales, Australia and Adjunct Professor at the University of Technology, Sydney. His previous publications include Port Cities and Intruders: The Swahili Coast, India, and Portugal in the Early Modern Era (1998) and Pious Passengers: The Hajj in Earlier Times (1994).
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SEAS IN HISTORY
Series editor: Geoffrey Scammell
Published titles
THE ATLANTIC
THE BALTIC AND THE NORTH SEAS
Forthcoming titles
THE MEDITERRANEAN
THE PACIFIC
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The Indian Ocean
Michael Pearson
LONDON AND NEW YORK
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First published 2003
by Routledge
11 New Fetter Lane, London EC4P 4EE
Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada
by Routledge
29 West 35th Street, New York, NY 10001
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group
This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2003.
© 2003 Michael Pearson
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
has been applied for
ISBN 0-203-41413-6 Master e-book ISBN
ISBN 0-203-41429-2 (MP PDA Format)
ISBN 0-415-21489-0 (Print Edition)
Copyright © 2002/2003 . All rights reserved.
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Dedication
TO THE MEMORY OF THOSE WHO SAILED THESE WATERS BEFORE ME:
SINNAPPAH ARASARATNAM, CHARLES BOXER, FRANK BROEZE,
ASHIN DAS GUPTA, HOLDEN FURBER AND DENYS LOMBARD
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Contents
List of illustrations
Series editor's preface
Preface
Map of the Indian Ocean
Introduction
1 Deep structure
2 Humans and the sea
3 The beginning of the ocean
4 Muslims in the Indian Ocean
5 Europeans in an Indian Ocean world
6 The early modern Indian Ocean world
7 Britain and the ocean
8 History in the ocean
Notes
Select bibliography
Index
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Illustrations
1 A Terry Dinghee
2 Indian Sailing Boats
3 Surat in East India
4 The Honourable East India Company's Iron War Steamer, the Ship Nemesis
5 Custom House Wharf (Calcutta)
6 Madras
7 Study of yacht Sunbeam
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Series editor's preface
Seas and oceans cover roughly two-thirds of the surface of the globe. Since time immemorial they have provided mankind with food. In our own age they have been found to contain a rich diversity of resources whose exploitation remains a matter of contention. But the waters of the world are more than a prime instance of nature's munificence, or a handy dumping ground for the refuse of civilisation.