Revisiting Identities and Cultural Influences in the Indian Ocean: Asian Communities between Land and Sea in the 1800s, Migrating communities in the Indian Ocean during the nineteenth century: myths and misconceptions.

The present study focuses on the interactions and cultural, historical and political influences across the Indian Ocean, specifically South-Central Asia, the Persian Gulf and the Swahili Coasts of East Africa during the 19th cent. AD. The objective of this study is to reassess the impact of movements and migration patterns on identities and cultural influences during the economies and societies of that time. Existing literature on this subject, derived from both Afro-Asian and Western archival sources, has been limited. For example, the life and experiences of the Balouč in the Persian Gulf and in East Africa during the 1800s have often been examined as a homogeneous and unchanging presence, frequently subordinated to Arab political leadership. It has long been believed that Asian groups primarily sailed to the Persian Gulf and East Africa between the 18th and 19th cent. AD as defensive military squads, overlooking the crucial role played by Asian communities in the Indian Ocean economy. To comprehensively analyse the identities and cultural influences in the Indian Ocean during the 19th cent. AD, it is essential to consider the historical context that shaped these dynamics.