The Pearl Trade Economic Power Directed by the Regional Hegemony in the Indian Ocean from the 11th to the 15th Centuries AD (Special reference to Sri Lanka)

Sri Lanka is best known for its pearl oysters and the famous Pearl Bank was born from the highly nutritious water flowing into the sea from Manna Bay. These natural pearls have been valued for centuries for their excellent quality as gems and jewelry. As a result, the pearl has become a metaphor for something rare, delicate, admirable and precious. Sri Lanka in the past was famous for precious pearls and it was one of the main sources that induced foreign invaders to the Island. Accordingly, Sri Lanka has been involved in the active pearl trade since ancient times by connecting with various political powers in the Indian Ocean. At one time it was an intermediate trading center and at other times an Island with natural pearl reefs, the sources record important information. However, the purpose of this research paper is to further explore whether the importance of Sri Lankan pearls increases or decreases in the hegemony that operated in the eastern and western parts of the Indian Ocean during the relevant period. Accordingly, the importance of Sri Lanka’s pearl trade and Sri Lanka’s contribution to that trade in the regional flexibility of the Indian Ocean trade from the 8th to the 15th century AD is to be studied. Local and foreign literary sources will be discussed to obtain relevant information. Further analysis of available data to identify pearl reefs, pearl trading centers, demand elasticities and monopolies in the Indian Ocean.