How did the Portuguese affect the Indian Ocean trade?

The Portuguese were the first Europeans to find a trade route to the Indian Ocean. At the time the Indian Ocean trade was dominated by the Arabs. However, with the arrival of the Portuguese, through the use of their superior ships and firepower, unseated Arab hegemony in the Indian Ocean.

From then on the Indian Ocean trade would be dominated by the Portuguese and later by other Europeans such as the British, Dutch and the French.

For further reading check the following articles:

• Portuguese India
• British Raj
• Dutch Colonialism in India