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Ocean of Churn: How the Indian Ocean Shaped Human History by Sanjeev Sanyal
by by Sanjeev Sanyal (Author) Format: Paperback
€16.02
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Customers say
✨ AI-generated from reviewsCustomers find this book to be a mandatory read that provides fascinating insights into Indian Ocean history, with one review noting how geography shaped historical events. Moreover, the narrative weaves observations and historical records into a free-flowing story that retains readers' interest throughout. Additionally, the book is highly informative, with one customer highlighting how it supplements historical data with personal anecdotes and wit. Customers appreciate the writing style, with one noting the enormous research that went into the book, and consider it worth every penny. However, the accuracy receives mixed reviews, with some finding it very factual while others disagree.
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Reviews
Loved by 8 customers.
4.8
Based on 8 reviews
6 months ago
Quite Interesting
Couldn't have imagined how the overhead played such roles. But definitely worth reading
8 months ago
A Journey Through Ocean History✌🏻
This is an interesting book that explains how the Indian Ocean shaped human history. It is written in simple language with many short chapters, making stories of trade, culture, and past events easy and enjoyable to read.
9 months ago
Good product, good read, not so good amazon.
Nice book. The quality of book is good given the affordable price. The delivery experience was good too. It is slightly damaged which obviously happened during shipment so book is good amazon please dont damage products, & thats why i am giving 4 stars. The book talks about influence of india in the oceans, and how it got a ocean on its name. A must read, if you want to know more about india. Happy republic day everyone. 🇮🇳
4 years ago
A refreshing perspective on our maritime history
If this is history, what is it that they taught us in school? The Ocean of Churn by Sanjeev Sanyal is an excellent book that brings a fresh perspective to the way we look at history. Writing from a maritime perspective, Sanyal adds a new angle to our understanding of the evolution of civilizations across the years. The book is a chronological account of our maritime past, mainly of the Indian Ocean and its surrounding regions – from the coasts of East Africa to the Persian Gulf, to the Indian Peninsula and then on to what is today Sri Lanka, Malaysia, the Indonesian Islands and further east upto Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and even China. Starting briefly with the evolution of the planet’s geography and the origins of homo sapiens itself, the book takes the reader on a journey across the centuries – through coastal cities, cross country kingdoms, shipping expeditions, trade, war and the exchange of peoples as it happened over the centuries. I absolutely love the angle of looking at the past through a maritime perspective. Certainly, so much of history has been influenced by the seas, but we mostly tend to overlook it’s role. Sanyal’s book brings it alive in front of us. It’s a small book, and the reader can finish it in just a few sittings. Perfect for a casual reader like me who needs just an introduction into the past to help understand the present better.
5 years ago
Plethora of knowledge
The ocean of churn ;The plethora of knowledgeAn erudite of history is constantly grappled with the questions about ;How do we judge an individual from history- do we judge them by their intentions or by the consequences of their actions? Do we judge them only by the standard of their times or by some absolute yard stick?Why are historians tend to be dismissive of the “Great Men Theory “And finally . does really TIME devours the greatest of men and the mightiest of the empires?The Book ‘Ocean Of Churn’ by Sanjeev Sanyal is indispensable for all those readers who are seeking answers to the above questions.When the historians talk about history they limit their studies mainly to wars, social ,political happening of the land during a particular time frame, dynasties ruled , the rulers/ kings came and gone and their subsequent contribution in the field of economy , art , architecture , literature and patronage of other religion.But , the author set his plot on the vast role the Indian Ocean played in shaping the history of East Africa, Middle East, Indian subcontinent , south east Asia and Australia from the time immemorial.The geo political alliances, rivalries among African tribes, Middle East Arabs, Persian and Turks insidious conquests , rise and fall of Dutch in south east Asia , fall of the Ottoman Empire , fall of Constantinople and European sailors sailing towards cape of good hope to find new sea route to India marks a sublime reading.From the dawn of civilisation starting with Harappan, the Indian were trading with half of the world when sea routes , oceanic currents were unknown to mankind.The constant migration of human as early as 400 BC for trade and economic survival gave rise to canal being built to connect Red Sea to the Nile, the modern day Suez Canal.The famous Greek historian Herodotus in his book ,‘The Histories’, gives a glimpse of how Indian soldiers looked, the attire they wore , arms and amunitions they used , horses and chariots .....Though his account is only grabbed mix of fact and fiction, the gold mines, cinnamon stick , abundant supply of precious stones and diamonds attracted early sailers from Persia , Turkey , Madagascar, Eritrea ......Drawing of similarities on flora and fauna of Indian Ganges and the upper reaches of river Nile , it deceived Alexander the Great , he miscalculated ,sailing down Indus he thought he can reach Mediterranean.It is worth noting the author debunks the aryan invasion theory too.Untangling of mysteries behind rich Hindu culture that has been followed in south Asian counties is intriguing.The Southern kingdoms of Cholas, Cheras, Pandyas and pallavas heavily influenced the south Asian countries. The socio cultural and political exchanges with kingdom of Sri vijaya , Champa, Majapahit, Angkor, Vietnam and islands of Java, Sumatra, Bali could be felt even to this day. Many temples and monuments in these areas have become UNESCO world heritage sites. Other distinguishing feature is the practice of matrilineal lineage. Hence the Naga princess of Cambodian royalty( Malay) after the matrimonial alliances never let the kings to get back to their original kingdom.The year 731 AD marks the historical significance , after the death of Parameshwara Verma the Pallava, the dynasty was on the brick of collapse , the delegation of Brahmin scholars set on a voyage to present day Cambodia to bring back the rightful hair to the Pallava throne , 12 year prince Nandi Varma II.The chola empire was the most powerful in the south East Asian subcontinent , the great and the most powerful Rajendra Chola made a naval attack on vijaya kingdom of Sumatra in 1025 and stretched his empire up to Kedah( Malaysia)The historical account of Prince of Orissa establishing the Sinhalese kingdom is like a icing on cake.Globalisation existed much before the Muslims and EIC set foot on Indian soil. Arab, Persian, Roman, Greek and Jewish merchants traded extensively with the costa lines of Indian oceans. The Yemeni merchants ( the Arabs) and the Jewish community were given a red carpet welcome in the ports of Calicut , the rulers granted lands to built their places of worship. This happens to be the first account of globalisation. As significant population of Kerala was transitory and female population was more rooted, the matrilineal society sprung up.Indian Ocean was also a witness to many wars and depredations. Constant naval war prevailed among Greeks, Persians , Turks , Arabs later Chinese to be added to the list . Though the Turks were the Indian nemesis later part of 14th century saw the Portuguese joining the bandwagon .It is fascinating to know how less known king Marthanda Varma of Travancore handled with agility and defeated Dutch who wanted to establish a supremacy over pepper growing lands.What was once a bustling city of wealth, gems, scholars ‘the Vijayanagara kingdom’ turned into a post apocalyptic ghost town devoid of any life.Indian subcontinent and south
Q&A
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FAQs
Most readers say the prose moves quickly and stays approachable, even for non-specialists. Several mention finishing the book fast because the writing feels lively rather than heavy.
Reviewers praise the depth of historical coverage, especially around Indian Ocean regions and the role of geography in shaping events. Many describe the research as nuanced and substantial rather than surface-level.
Readers consistently say the book stays absorbing from the opening chapters to the final pages. The narrative blends historical records with observations instead of reading like a dry lecture.
Buyers describe the book as a goldmine of information on trade, movement of people, politics, and culture around the Indian Ocean. Several also mention anecdotes and wit that make dense material easier to absorb.
Paperback edition runs 312 pages in English and weighs 227 g. That gives readers a full-length history read in a format that remains practical to carry.
Opinion is mixed on accuracy. Many readers consider the work factual and well grounded, while some dispute specific details, so readers looking for a settled view may want to compare perspectives.
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