Aden and Malabar: trade and religious networks between a South Arabian port and the medieval Malabar Coast
Keywords:
Indian Ocean, religious networks, Aden, MalabarAbstract
Aden, located on the south-western corner of the Arabian Peninsula, served as an entrepôt for the shipment of various commodities from different regions within the Indian Ocean world. Spices from Malabar were in huge demand in both the Western world and the Arabian Peninsula. Aden, serving as the gateway to the Red Sea, played a crucial role in the flow of spices from Malabar to the Red Sea region and consequently, to Europe from the Red Sea region. During the medieval period, trade contact between the Arabs, mainly via Aden, and the Malabar Coast reached its peak. By examining various historical sources, we can gain insights into the role of Aden in the flow of merchandise from Malabar to the Western world and vice versa. Rasulid stipends to the various mosques in Malabar during the thirteenth century highlight the religious dimension of trade between Malabar and Aden. Furthermore, studies of the Geniza documents throw light on the Jewish religious network between them. This paper attempts to examine the trade relations between Aden and Malabar and the development of the religious network as part of this maritime trade.
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