A rond-point for vessels plying the Indian Ocean: Sri Lanka in Arab cartographic tradition (original) (raw)

This paper discusses the historical significance of Sri Lanka as a maritime hub in the Indian Ocean, particularly within the Arab cartographic tradition. It explores the interconnectedness of trade and cultural exchanges between Arab merchants and Sri Lanka, highlighting the island's strategic location and the prominence of dhows in maritime trade. The text also delves into the religious and spiritual significance of Sri Lanka, the role of astronomy in Arab navigation, and the impacts of the Golden Age of Islam on the region's cultural and commercial landscape.