British private trade networks in the Arabian seas, c.1680-c.1760
This thesis explores the networks of British private trade based in the Arabian Seas, between c.1680 and c.1760, with a focus on the period between 1700 and 1740. It draws from the extensive records of the East India Company and numerous collections of private papers to look at how this mercantile trade was shaped, organised and constrained by the particular circumstances of the western Indian Ocean region. The unusual constellation of economic and political factors within the world of the Arabian Seas affected British private trade in significant ways during the pre-colonial period: political turmoil, piracy and commercial competition placed constraints on the successful operation of commerce. Shifting regional dynamics also underpinned the growth and greater success of private trade in the second half of the period under review. The thesis is therefore concerned with how British merchants conducted trade as part of a global commercial empire, whilst remaining embedded in specific local economic and political settings. Challenging and moving beyond existing work that has concentrated on the Bay of Bengal and Coromandel Coast regions, this study emphasises the regional specificity and unevenness of the British
Davies, Timothy
DS Asia ; HC Economic History and Conditions
British private trade networks in the Arabian seas, c.1680-c.1760. This thesis explores the networks of British private trade based in the Arabian Seas, between c.1680 and c.1760, with a focus on the period between 1700 and 1740. It draws from the extensive records of the East India Company and numerous collections of private papers to look at how this mercantile trade was shaped, organised and constrained by the particular circumstances of the western Indian Ocean region. The unusual constellation of economic and political factors within the world of the Arabian Seas affected British private trade in significant ways during the pre-colonial period: political turmoil, piracy and commercial competition placed constraints on the successful operation of commerce. Shifting regional dynamics also underpinned the growth and greater success of private trade in the second half of the period under review. The thesis is therefore concerned with how British merchants conducted trade as part of a global commercial empire, whilst remaining embedded in specific local economic and political settings. Challenging and moving beyond existing work that has concentrated on the Bay of Bengal and Coromandel Coast regions, this study emphasises the regional specificity and unevenness of the British
british private trade_network sea explores network british private trade base focus period draw extensive record east_india_company numerous collection private_paper look mercantile trade shape organise constrain particular circumstance western_indian_ocean region unusual constellation economic_political factor within world affect british private trade significant way pre_colonial period political turmoil piracy commercial competition place constraint successful operation commerce shifting regional dynamic also underpin growth great success private trade second_half period review therefore concerned british_merchant conduct trade part global commercial empire whilst remain embed specific local economic_political setting challenging move_beyond exist_work concentrate bengal coast region study emphasis regional specificity british