History of Indian Ocean-A South Asian Perspective

Abstract

Much of the literature available on history of the Indian Ocean offers an extraneous perspective. This paper is an attempt to see the past developments in this crucial body of water from a native lens. Indian Ocean has been central to the rise and fall of empires. The maritime highways here have introduced new merchandise products in Europe and elsewhere. It has also been pivotal in expanding the frontiers of Islam following its birth and later as a tolerant and acceptable religion in littorals and beyond. The narrative includes a leaf from Mughal history whose landward obsession and abandonment of the vast coast of South Asia set the stage for stranglehold of India by external powers. The machinations of British Raj, the shenanigans and debauchery of last Viceroy and his wife and above all, the denial of vitally important Islands of Andaman and Nicobar to Pakistan were instrumental in turning the tide of post-independence history in favour of India. In the famous episode of December 1971, the US Chief of Naval Operations had no clarity on what precisely the mission of his Carrier Task Force, USS Enterprise was. Yet Islamabad was kept in dark and an impression created that assistance was on way. In twenty first century this Ocean expanse is once again in global spotlight. The power politics and competition for resources will be played out here.