Cotton Route that defined Oceanic Cultural Crossroads

The cotton route is the vital linkage between nature and culture that has defined Asia’s history and its economy for two millennia. India’s Coromandel region's textile and design quality attracted traders across the globe. All its traces are visible in the monuments and tombstones standing today across oceanic Asia. A recent translation of archived documents proves that the region of Coastal Tamil Nadu was one of the largest producers of premium cotton in the world, resulting in the exchange of gold and spices for cotton. Coromandel cotton was called Palaykat (Pulicat), influencing not only architecture but also the dress sarong and its trade. 

Tracing the origins of the colonial administration across Asia, we find a linkage between the influence of the region of Pulicat and its cotton trade. From the coastal Aden to Surabaya to Niigata region, one could find that linkage. From the Cholas to the Srivijaya Empire to the Arabs, the Dutch, Japanese, and Portuguese in Asia show that their trade was closely linked with cotton and culture. 

The paper highlights the linkages of cotton with cultures and trades with the growth of globalisation. The paper also touches upon the nature and cultural linkages across the region with mangroves and cotton textile design. It concludes that recognising the route will bring a new identity to the oceanic region. And will bring economic superiority and friendship across the Indian Ocean.