インド・ゴールコンダ王國における君主と港市・海上交易の關係--スルターン・アブドゥッラー(1626-72)の治世を中心に

Abstract

The Sultanate of Golkonda (the Qutb Shahis), 1518-1687, first extended its rule over the coastal areas of Andhra during the latter half of the 16th century. It has been recognized that ships, known as the "king's ships, " sailed from their base at the main port of Masulipatnam after their rule was solidified in this region at the end of the 16th century. The destinations of the king's ships were the ports of the Red Sea. These ships not only transported pilgrims but also played a role in importing gold, silver and horses. We do not know that the sultans visit trading ports during this period, but when incidents arose involving the trading ports and trade, there were cases in which they intervened to settle the matter. Thereafter there was a period of decline in the activities of the king's ships, but when the sea route to the Persia Gulf came into use in the decade of the 1630s, the route began to be employed for pilgrimage of the royal family, and the king's ships began to voyage to the Persian Gulf. It was during the rule of Sultan 'Abd Allah, when the first visit to Masulipatnam by the sultan of Golkonda was made. He visited the trading port at the close of 1639, met with foreign and domestic merchants and had the opportunity to witness its actual operation. It was probably through this experience that the sultan's interest in trading ports and trade was strengthened, and it is thought that this had great influence on later voyages and trade activities. It has been confirmed that after about year 1650 the king's ships voyaged toward Southeast Asia, and their sphere of activities was extended to both the east and western shores of the Indian Ocean. The sultans would fund the activities of these ships, build up diplomatic and trade relations with the rulers of Southeast Asian lands, and place their representatives in these ports. Although they were rulers of territory within the interior, their direct and indirect involvement with trading ports and trading activities can be seen in this fashion.