Chapter 253 India
As a transit point for spices and other goods, Calicut occupies an important position in southern India. Pepper and ginger were Calicut's main exports at the time. Muslims dominated the country and ensured Calicut's dominant position in maritime trade by giving special treatment to the Arabs on the Malabar Coast. Calicut has long attracted tourists with its charming features and prosperous scenes. In the 14th century AD, Moroccan traveler Ibn Battuta visited Calicut many times and praised its prosperity.
Originally, the trade here was controlled by Arabs and Indians, but a few days ago, dozens of merchant ships from the West arrived here.
"Dear King, I, Andrew Mason, an envoy of the Roman Empire, come to trade with your country."
Mason submitted diplomatic documents to the king of Calicut in accordance with European practice and proposed to set up a business station and trading point here. But unfortunately, this place has long been occupied by Arabs, and it is extremely difficult to open up new trade here.
During these months of sailing, Mason not only explored the trade route to India, but also harvested the second Roman colony.
The Socotra Islands, not far from Yemen, consist of four islands: Socotra Island, Abdul Kuri Island, Samha Island and Deir Sai Island. It is a transit point on the Indian route. According to records on the island, as early as 52 AD, the islanders had converted to Christianity under the guidance of St. Thomas. In addition to the Arabs' heavy taxes here, when Mason came here with his fleet, the islanders cheered and took out their long-treasured crosses to prove that they were of the same clan.
Mason first drove away the Arab lords on the island with his fleet, and then took the documents to declare that this was the land of the Roman Empire, and renamed the four islands Andre Island, Maurice Island, Padin Island and Bogdan Island. A priest and a dozen people were sent to help the islanders establish government agencies and religious systems. After a period of rest, they headed east again and finally arrived in India.
"Welcome to you. I agree with your request, but I'm afraid the merchants in the city will not agree."
The king's words were conveyed to Mason through an interpreter, which made him feel a little uncomfortable, because his caravan had really felt the hostility of the Arabs towards them in the past few days. Their merchants can only buy some goods here, and the missionaries' missionary work here has also encountered difficulties, and everything is difficult to get started.
But no matter what they encounter, as long as the king can approve it, it is enough. Others can be discussed slowly.
"Thanks to His Majesty's permission, the two countries can complement each other in trade and prosper together."
When Mason met the king, the caravan he led was carrying out various activities in Calicut. Because of the non-cooperation of Arab merchants, they had to go to farther places to buy directly from the locals.
The missionaries were also in trouble, and the local beliefs had been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. Their missionary work was very difficult, and they didn't know what magic this religion had that could convince the people so much.
After a few days, they realized that it was the pagans who were stopping them. They spread rumors to the local residents, saying that they were enemies of religion and would rob their holy objects, which was very influential to the devout believers.
In this case, they left, anyway, they were not welcome here. After barely loading two ships of goods, they headed north and arrived at the northern port of Cannanore two days later.
Unlike Calicut, the caravan was welcomed here, and they used the low prices negotiated here to purchase a large number of pepper, ginger, textiles and other commodities.
Seeing an opportunity, Mason began to show his rhetoric and persuaded the local elders to sell them a piece of land as a business station and trading point. The caravan had its first foothold in India.
Missionaries built churches here, and the trading house gradually expanded its trade. In a few days, dozens of ships were filled with spices, textiles, pearls, gems, and several Indian slaves. Wood, ivory, metal, dyes, soap, glass, gunpowder, fireworks, cement, etc. produced in India were also bought. Because at this time, India's industry and commerce were second only to the East. As we all know, there were many Colosseums in the Roman Empire thousands of years ago, but Europe did not have those leopards, tigers, and elephants, so they could only be imported from abroad, and India was the largest provider of these beasts. These beasts passed through Central Asia and arrived in the Roman Empire. In order to maintain the smooth flow of this route, the Romans once fought with Parthia in northern Iran.
These goods were enough for Mason to deliver. After leaving three ships and dozens of people, he left India with the remaining fleet and returned to Europe during the monsoon period.
The appearance of European Christians in India caused panic among the Crescent merchants who had long controlled the spice routes. They gathered together and didn't know what to do.
There are also big figures behind these merchants. Even if there are no big figures, they have been doing business here for at least a hundred years and have a deep foundation. These big enemies cannot control the production area, otherwise how can they do business.
They decided that the next time the pagans come, they will force the king to drive them out, and they must not let them take any of the goods here. Originally, they wanted to ask some powerful rulers for help, but they knew very little. They were either busy with other things or they could not protect themselves. Moreover, they were just trading. If they were robbed, they might retaliate.
The Eastern development project led by the Southern Chamber of Commerce received a large amount of capital investment at once, and the efficiency was increased by half. In addition to investing in colonial and canal projects, funds were also invested in the infiltration of the Mamluks, including Alexandria and Cairo. If a war breaks out in the future, the Suez project will be the first to be affected, and the Chamber of Commerce must find a way to protect its interests in Egypt.
The Jerusalem Chamber of Commerce also began to get involved, and established trading points in Ashkelon, which is the gateway, and other important cities such as Jaffa. Since the land is not smooth, sea trade has become the only way to connect. To connect, Syria must be taken.
An unopened canal isolates the free flow of both sides. The trade between the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean is separated by the isthmus, and since the fall of Egypt, Rome has lost this Mediterranean granary and money bag. Although some actions have been made, each time it has failed. But now, it seems that the hope of recovery has been rekindled. The potential decline of the Mamluks and the revival of Rome have caused a shift in the power on both sides. Is it possible that the luck of the believers from Mecca and Medina is coming to an end?