ABSTRACT
Iraq(Basra),BahrainandOman,thesearoutewasbusierandmore viablebothforinternaltransportandcommunicationsandforthe transportofgoodstoandfromtheoutsideworld,ieIndia,Chinaand Africa.Highlydetailedstagebystageinformationhascomedownto usaboutthisroutefromMuslimgeographersandtravellers.They expoundeduponthefamoustradingcentresalongtheroute, togetherwiththemerchandiseandtradeforwhichthosecentres werefamous,theirsocialconditions,andtoalesserextenttheir politics,aswellasindicatingthedangerousplacesontherouteand thefeaturesoftheArabianGulf,theGulfofOmanandtheIndian Ocean,andgivingotherveryusefulinformation.Therenowned travellerSulaymanat-Tajertravelledanddescribedthisrouteonthe journeyhebeganatBasra,andal-Mas'udireferstotherouteinhis book'Marujadh-Dhahab',drawingonSulaymanal-Tajer'saccount aswellasoninformationfurnishedbymerchantmariners.The Rahidhaniyamerchantstookthisroutewhentheyweresettingout ontheirworldtourintoEuropeandontoSind,IndiaandChina.It wasdescribedtoobytheauthorofthebook'Fias-Sin,wa-at-Turkwaal-Hind',anditscommercialcentresandtheiractivitiesaredescribed bytheChinesetravellerChanJuKuaduringthetwelfthand thirteenthcenturies.20
