Indian Ocean trade was a network of sea routes connecting East Africa, the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. It existed from ancient times and continued through about 1500 CE and beyond. Ships traveled between ports across the ocean.

Traders carried goods such as spices, gold, ivory, and textiles. Ports like Kilwa in East Africa and Calicut in India became busy centers of exchange. Sailors used seasonal monsoon winds to travel across the ocean at certain times of the year.

This trade network linked many cultures and regions. It is studied through historical records, maps, and archaeological sites along coastal areas.