Vibrant Thalassographies of the Indian Ocean: Beyond Nation States

Abstract

This review essay delves into three major works on maritime history, especially of—but not merely limited to—the Indian Ocean. Two of the three works relate to new kinds of primary source materials, viz. inscriptions (1st to 5th centuries CE) in Hoq cave in the island of Socotra in the western Indian Ocean and about 450 letters of Jewish ‘India Traders’ (c. 1000-1300 CE). The two sources have immensely lit up the pre-1500 CE Indian Ocean scenario and therefore, demand sustained attention and close scrutiny of maritime historians. The third work, an edited volume emerging out of an important conference, deals primarily with the port-cities which are mostly seen from the point of view of the network theory and understanding of space. The third work does not limit itself to any particular temporal and spatial frame. The review essay weaves several other important themes and issues of maritime history, especially on the formation of ports, to highlight the possibilities of new openings and interventions in thalassography.