Ambergris"floatingold,”Maavaharu"and Oud in the Maritime Trade Networks of Kalinga, (Bangaalhu Kara) the Maldives, and the Middle East

Kalinga (present-day Odisha),  State Maritime Museum / Photo Credi Chinmayee's Creations

The maritime trade networks of the ancient Indian Ocean were a vibrant tapestry of cultural and economic exchange, with luxury goods like ambergris and oud wood serving as prized commodities. These aromatic substances, integral to perfumery and religious rituals, linked regions as diverse as Kalinga modern-day Odisha (Bangaalhu Kara), the Maldives, and the Middle East, including Egypt. Kalinga’s seafaring prowess, the Maldives’ strategic position, and the Middle East’s demand for exotic aromatics created a dynamic trade ecosystem, fueled by monsoon-driven routes and celebrated in traditions like Odisha’s Bali Yatra. The roles of ambergris and oud in these networks, their cultural significance, and the maritime connections that facilitated their exchange.

Kalinga’s Maritime Legacy and Indo-Greek Influence

Kalinga, situated along India’s eastern coast, was a cornerstone of ancient Indian Ocean trade. Its boita vessels, designed for long-distance voyages, carried spices, textiles, and precious stones to ports in Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka, and the Arabian Peninsula. The annual Bali Yatra festival commemorates these journeys, particularly to Bali, Java, and Sumatra, symbolizing Kalinga’s role as a maritime powerhouse. Ports like Tamralipti and Kalingapatnam were bustling hubs, facilitating the exchange of goods, including aromatics like oud, sourced from Southeast Asia.

Odia mariners (Sadhabas) set sail for distant lands on boitas (wooden ships) for trade and cultural exchange.

The Maldives, strategically located along these trade routes, served as a critical waypoint for (Odia People) Kalingan sailors. The islands provided provisions, cowrie shells (used as currency), and ambergris, (Maavaharu) a rare substance often found washed ashore. The functional similarities between Kalinga’s boita and the Maldivian Odi vessels suggest a shared maritime culture, possibly reinforced by linguistic parallels between “Odi” and “boita.” Archaeological evidence, such as Indian pottery found in the Maldives, further supports regular contact between these regions.

The Indo-Greek kingdoms, established after Alexander the Great’s conquests, amplified these networks. The 303 BCE treaty between Seleucus I Nicator and Chandragupta Maurya, sealed by a marriage alliance and territorial concessions, fostered East-West trade. Indo-Greek ports like Barygaza (modern Bharuch) became conduits for Indian Ocean goods, increasing demand for aromatics and other commodities. While the Maldives were not under direct Indo-Greek control, their position along these routes ensured their integration into this expanded trade network, with Odi vessels facilitating the transport of goods like ambergris to distant markets.

The Indo-Greek Kingdom, also known as the Yavana Kingdom

Ambergris  (Maavaharu) in Egyptian Perfumery

Ambergris, known as “floating gold,” is a rare, waxy substance produced by sperm whales and transformed by the ocean into a musky, sweet-scented fixative for perfumes. In ancient Egypt, ambergris was highly valued for its role in perfumery and religious rituals. As early as the 10th century, it was burned as incense, and its use persisted in later periods, even scenting cigarettes in modern times. During the Black Death, Europeans carried ambergris as a talisman against plague, underscoring its perceived spiritual and medicinal properties.Egypt’s demand for ambergris was met through Indian

Ocean trade routes. Sperm whales, commonly found in the waters surrounding Zanzibar, Madagascar, and the Maldives

s, were the primary source. The Maldives, in particular, were a key collection point, as ambergris frequently washed ashore. Arab intermediaries facilitated its transport to Egypt, often via the Red Sea, where it was blended with frankincense and myrrh in perfumery. The Maldives’ role as a supplier highlights its significance as a maritime hub, connecting the Indian Ocean to Mediterranean markets.

Oud Wood: Asia to the Middle East

Oud, derived from the resinous heartwood of the Aquilaria tree in Southeast Asia and parts of South Asia, is renowned for its rich, woody, and animalic aroma. By the 7th century CE, Arab merchants, traveling via maritime and Silk Road routes, established oud as a cultural staple in Middle Eastern perfumery and rituals. Its high cost reflected its rarity, as the resin forms only in infected trees, making it a luxury commodity.Kalinga played a pivotal role in the oud trade, leveraging its connections with Southeast Asian ports like those in Indonesia and Malaysia. Indian oud, often described as spicy and animalistic, was highly sought after in markets like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt, where it was blended with ambergris, musk, and rose. The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, a 1st-century CE trade manual, documents the flow of aromatic resins from India to the Red Sea, underscoring Kalinga’s role in supplying oud to these regions. The monsoon winds, expertly navigated by Kalingan sailors, enabled efficient transport of oud and other goods.

The Maldives as a Maritime Hub

The Maldives’ strategic location made it an indispensable node in Indian Ocean trade. Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl hypothesized that the islands were influenced by Mesopotamian or Egyptian civilizations, serving as a bridge to distant markets. While not universally accepted, this theory highlights the Maldives’ role in connecting Asia to the Mediterranean. Ambergris, collected from its shores, was traded to Kalingan or Arab merchants, often via Sri Lanka, and cowrie shells from the islands served as currency across the region.

Odi

The Maldives’ integration into Kalinga’s trade network is evident in artifacts like Indian pottery and references in texts like the Mahavamsa, which suggest early interactions between Kalinga, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. These connections facilitated the movement of ambergris and other goods, reinforcing the islands’ status as a vital maritime hub

Interconnected Trade Networks

The trade in ambergris and oud exemplifies the interconnectedness of Kalinga, the Maldives, and the Middle East. Kalingan (Bangaalhu kara) sailors, Wikipedia: Bengal

departing during Bali Yatra, (Dhathuru) sourced oud from Southeast Asia and traded it through Indian ports to Arabian and Egyptian markets. The Maldives supplied ambergris, either directly to Kalingan traders or via intermediaries, linking the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean. These goods, prized for their rarity and aromatic qualities, were not merely commodities but carriers of cultural exchange, shaping perfumery traditions across regions.

Conclusion

Ambergris  (Maavaharu) and oud wood (Bokaru) were linchpins of the ancient maritime trade networks connecting Kalinga, the Maldives, and the Middle East. Kalinga’s seafaring legacy, celebrated in the Bali Yatra, facilitated the flow of oud from Southeast Asia, while the Maldives supplied ambergris, a cornerstone of Egyptian perfumery. Together, these regions formed a vibrant trade ecosystem, driven by monsoon winds and enriched by cultural exchanges like the Indo-Greek alliances. The legacy of these networks endures, reflecting the enduring allure of ambergris and oud as symbols of luxury and connectivity in the ancient world

 sources:

Meaning and Context

"Bangaalhu Kara" is a term in Dhivehi, the language of the Maldives, and research suggests it means "Landmass." It seems likely that this term was used to refer to the landmass of Bengal, given the historical maritime trade connections between the Maldives and Bengal, particularly in the exchange of goods like cowries.

• Dhivehi Dictionary - Defines "Bangaalhu Kara" as "Landmass."

• Bangladesh-Maldives Relations - Highlights historical connections, including Bengali rulers in the Maldives.

• Cowrie Trade Between Maldives and Bengal - Discusses the historical trade of cowries, linking the Maldives and Bengal.