A History of Agriculture in India v2.c72.s8: Portuguese Trade
A History of Agriculture in India v2.c72.s8
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Portuguese Trade
v2.c72.s8.1
The Portuguese were able to deprive the Muslim traders of the Indian Ocean of a large share of the trade in Indian textiles and piece-goods, Persian and Arabian horses, gold and ivory from East Africa, as well as spices from Indonesia, Ceylon, and Malabar. Moreover, they extended their carrying trade into the China Sea, where Arab merchants had not penetrated since mediaeval times, save in insignificant numbers. Voyages between the principal ports in these areas (Macau-Nagasaki; Malacca-Siam; Ormuz-Goa, for example) were much shorter and easier than the long haul round the Cape of Good Hope. Money and goods invested in such "ventures" brought in both quicker and safer returns than did cargoes shipped to Europe. The comparative value of gold and silver in India, China, and Japan varied in a fluctuating ratio which enabled the Portuguese at Goa and Macau to make a handsome profit by acting as bullion-brokers trading in these precious metals.⁴
v2.c72.s8.2
⁴ Boxer, C. R. Portugal and Brazil, p. 222