Indian Ocean History

When did the first humans arrive in India and how did they get here? What are Roman artefacts from hundreds of years ago doing in a town near Puducherry? How did merchants from Arabia end up near Kochi? From the east coast of Africa to Australia, one big blue body of water has connected diverse...

Around eight o'clock a.m. on December 26, a massive earthquake registering 9.1-9.3 on the Richter Scale struck off of Sumatra, Indonesia, making it the third strongest earthquake ever recorded by seismographs. On top of that, the earthquake shook for nearly 10 minutes and generated incredibly strong tsunami waves. Thanks to the element of surprise, people in the region had virtually no warning of what was coming. The tsunami waves pulverized entire towns and swept away hundreds of thousands of people across Southeast Asia.

Experience the rise of ancient empires and modern geopolitical conflicts in this sweeping Asian history adventure. Perfect for an immersive commute, this evocative narrative transports armchair travelers to the lush crossroads of the Indian Ocean, where ocean currents, migrating merchants, and...

The Ocean at the Centre of the World, a new William Collins book, full description to follow when available...

In terms of geopolitics, perhaps the most seminal event of the Middle Ages was the successful Ottoman siege of Constantinople in 1453. The city had been an imperial capital as far back as the fourth century when Constantine the Great shifted the power center of the Roman Empire there effectively establishing two almost equally powerful halves of antiquity’s greatest empire. Constantinople would continue to serve as the capital of the Byzantine Empire even after the Western half of the Roman Empire collapsed in the late fifth century.

Journey through East African history as scattered coastal villages transform into wealthy maritime trading empires. Perfect for an immersive daily commute, this evocative narrative reveals how the sea became a bustling highway connecting Africa to Arabia, Persia, and India. Experience the...

Uncover the epic maritime history of a forgotten Asian empire that transformed the Indian Ocean through naval supremacy. From the fertile riverine plains of the Kaveri delta to the sprawling trade routes of Southeast Asia, experience a sweeping narrative of ambition and conquest. Perfect for...

Discover the sweeping maritime history of a medieval Indian dynasty that ruled the ancient seas and global trade. Perfect for an immersive commute, this grand historical deep-dive transports you to the vibrant Kaveri delta of early South India. Witness the fierce transformation of a regional...

WINNER OF THE BRITISH ACADEMY BOOK PRIZE FOR GLOBAL CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING SHORTLISTED FOR THE PEN-HESSEL TILTMAN PRIZE 2021 LONGLISTED FOR THE CUNDILL HISTORY PRIZE 2021 ‘Helps re-centre how we look at the world’ PETER FRANKOPAN ‘Global history at its finest’ SUNIL AMRITH ‘A master...

Experience the epic maritime history of a forgotten dynasty that conquered the medieval Indian Ocean's deadliest tides. Perfect for a focused learning commute, this immersive true story transports you directly into the bustling shipyards and fierce naval battlefields of South India. Feel the...

Uncover the rise and tragic erasure of a lost African civilization in this sweeping maritime history of ancient empires. Perfect for a long commute or an evening of deep-focus learning, this immersive journey transports you to the bustling shores of the Indian Ocean. Experience the awe-inspiring...

Uncover the forgotten maritime empire that mastered ancient spice routes and forged early global trade across the seas. Perfect for an educational commute, this immersive historical journey transports you to the bustling ports and dangerous straits of ancient Southeast Asia. Discover how a...

Uncover the epic African history of global trade, maritime empires, and cultural resilience along the Indian Ocean. Perfect for your daily commute, this immersive journey transforms humble fishing villages into a powerful chain of cosmopolitan city-states. Listen and travel across centuries to...

Uncover the epic rise and dramatic fall of a forgotten maritime empire that mastered the global spice trade. Journey across the Indonesian archipelago to explore a fascinating thalassocracy that forged its immense power through naval strategy, tribute networks, and absolute control of lucrative...

The transatlantic slave trade was founded by the Portuguese in the 15th century for the specific purpose of supplying the New World colonies with African slave labor. It was soon joined by all the major trading powers of Europe, and it reached its peak in the 18th century with the founding and development of plantation economies that ran from the South American mainland through the Caribbean and into the southern states of the United States. The East African Slave Trade, on the other hand, was more complex, far older, and significantly more widespread.