Ambivalent engagements: The Bay of Bengal in the Indian Ocean world

Abstract

This article investigates the role played by the Bay of Bengal in the Indian Ocean world. It argues that formulations that suggest the Bay's encounters were ambivalent and sporadic until c.1000 - when there was a trade revolution - and see it as a latecomer in the Indian Ocean world, are wrong. Examples from commerce and cultural flows reveal the Bay world as an active participant in the Indian Ocean world from early times and debunk the notion of passivity.