On The Economic Encounter Between Asia And Europe, 1500-1800

Economic contact between Asia and Europe dates back to at least the early years of the Common Era, but it was only in the fifteenth-century, when the Portuguese discovered the all-water route to the East Indies, that this contact became regular and significant. This collection deals with the Indian Ocean trade on the eve of the Europeans arrival, as well as the activities of the Portuguese, Dutch and English East India companies. It also contains essays on textile manufacturing, coinage and wages in India, and Bengali politics.