India and Oman: 16th – 20th century Although it is difficult to point to the earliest documented evidence of Indian trade in Oman, there are references to ruins of an ancient temple in the town of Qalhat which points to evidence of an Indian settlement along the Batinah coast before the 15th century40. Historical references mention the arrival of the Omani Al Yaarubi naval fleets on the Indian coast in the 17th century for economic interaction, trade and exchange of goods. Commercial relations were established with Sayyid Sultan bin Ahmad, the Sultan of Oman by Tipu Sultan of Mysore (1782-1799) at the end of the 18th century. To look after their mutual interest, agents were appointed in Mangalore and Muscat41. Tipu Sultan also appointed a ‘vakil’ in Muscat and set up a factory in 1785 in order to take care of his trade interests in the entire Persian Gulf region, based in Muscat. He established strong relations with the ruler of Oman so that he could promote trade relations with some concessions. While special privileges like lesser customs duty were extended by the ruler of Oman to Mysore merchants to encourage trade with India, Tipu Sultan reciprocated by reducing duties on Omani trade with Mysore. Two agents, Nurallah Khan and Ghulam Ali Khan were received by Imam Ahmed Said and were bestowed special favours. In 1798, a new dalal (agent) by the name of Vishnu Das was appointed as he was, as records suggest, instrumental in providing Sultan Said with a British physician42. Thus trade flourished between these two kingdoms, with cardamom, rice and pepper being the most traded goods from Mysore, and dates, horses and mules being sent from Oman. In those days, dates, mules and horses were mainly imported from Oman to Mysore. Tipu Sultan also encouraged Omani and Arab merchants to come and settle in Mysore and gave them special privileges as they were seen as successful businessmen. Valuable gifts such as jewels, elephants, khillats, sandalwood, ivory, pepper and cardamoms were given by Tipu Sultan to the ruler of Muscat43. In his descriptions of oceanic trade between India and Oman, Onley states about the pearl trade: “They were bought by pearl merchants, usually Indians, and taken to India, where they were sold on the world market. Because of this, and the monopoly Indian merchants enjoyed in the Gulf credit market, Indian 40 S. B. Miles (1919; 1994). The countries and tribes of the Persian Gulf. 41 Maoji Seth was the agent sent by Tipu Sultan to Muscat (Risso, p. 195). 42 Risso, P. (2009). India and the Gulf. p. 192.
43 Pasha, A.K. (2003). ‘South India and Gulf: Trade and diplomacy during the late eighteenth century’. 59
