Late Middle Ages.E2.80.94British Raj Indian maritime history

indian vessel shown in fra mauro map (1460).

ma huan (1413–51) reached cochin , noted indian coins, known fanam, issued in cochin , weighed total of 1 fen , 1 li according chinese standards. of fine quality , exchanged in china 15 silver coins of four-li weight each.

image of calicut, india georg braun , frans hogenberg s atlas civitates orbis terrarum, 1572.



this figure illustrates path of vasco da gama s course india (black), first go around africa. voyages of pêro da covilhã (orange) , afonso de paiva (blue) shown common routes marked in green.

on orders of manuel of portugal, 4 vessels under command of navigator vasco da gama rounded cape of hope in 1497, continuing malindi on eastern coast of africa, there sail across indian ocean calicut. christian missionaries traveling trade, such saint francis xavier, instrumental in spread of christianity in east.

the first dutch expedition left amsterdam (april 1595) south east asia. dutch convoy sailed in 1598 , returned 1 year later 600,000 pounds of spices , other indian products. united east india company forged alliances principal producers of cloves , nutmeg.

shivaji bhonsle (reign 1664—1680) maintained navy under charge of general kanhoji angre (served 1698—1729). initial advances of portuguese checked navy, relieved traffic , commerce in india s west coast of portuguese threat. maratha navy checked english east india company, until navy underwent decline due policies of general nanasaheb (reign 1740 – 1761).

baba makhan shah labana, noted sikh of 17th century known trade in sea route gulf , mediterranean region.