The Commercial Exchange between Aden Port and the Ports of Southeast Asia (626-858 AH/ 1229-1454 AD) A Historical Study

Abstract

The research explores the commercial exchange between Aden Port and the ports of Southeast Asia during the rule of the Rasulid State (626-858 AH / 1229-1454 AD). The research was divided into an introduction and three sections. The first section is an overview on how the Rasulids came to rule Yemen as well as the states in Southeast Asia. The second section deals with the port of Aden and its commercial importance, the marine routes linking it with the countries of Southeast Asia, and the role of Rasulids in securing those routes from maritime piracy. The third section deals with the commercial exchange between Aden Port and the ports of Southeast Asia in that period, indicating the most important incoming and outgoing commercial goods from the port to those countries. The major findings of this research show that urban expansion, and the construction of a number of schools inside and outside Aden from the commercial revenues of Aden Port; Aden port was a major source for the Rasulid State; the deterioration of the Rasulid State after trade routes shifted from the Aden Port to Jeddah Port at the end of the Rasulid era which led to the reluctance of merchants from the port.