The advent of the Europeans was crucial in transforming the contours of Maritime Asia. The commercial situation in the Indian Ocean was impacted in many ways over the longue duree from the sixteenth to the eighteenth centuries. To offset the adverse balance of trade and to maximize profits the Europeans imposed their own coercive and monopolistic systems along the existing trade routes. Systematic exploitation of economic opportunities in Asia by Europeans began with the coming of the Portuguese followed by other European maritime powers. It culminated with Britannia ruling the Asian waters with warships and a strong merchant marine. A study of the operational and ideological motivations that propelled the European powers’ activities in the Indian Ocean can help to construct a coherent interpretation of the foundations of empire that were being laid at first insidiously and later aggressively. The mechanism and implications of Europe's sustained engagement in Intra-Asian trade need to be analysed as an essential context to the establishment of colonial empires. India concentric to Indian Ocean trade became the ‘Jewel in the Crown’ its rich resources a major source of the power and pelf of the British Empire. About the Author Ruby Maloni is former Head and Professor of the Department of History Mumbai University. She is an alumnus of both Calcutta and Mumbai Universities. She taught Medieval Indian history at Mumbai University for more than thirty years. Her research focuses on the Indian Ocean and maritime trade with special emphasis on the history of Gujarat. Her published works include European Merchant Capital and the Indian Economy and Surat: Port of the Mughal Empire.
