The role of several major harbours in Sumatra on the Maritime Silk Route between the seventh and sixteenth centuries

Archaeological findings in Sumatra and Java have revealed that the Strait of Malacca, the Strait of Sunda and the Indian Ocean were zones of trade from the first centuries of our era onwards. From the 7^th to the 13^th century AD, the region was controlled by the rulers of Srivijaya. The power subsequently shifted to the Sultanates of Samudera-Pasai, Aceh, Malacca, and Banten. From the 7^th to the 16^th century, major harbours emerged and import and export monopolies were created. As a result, the Selat Melaka, Selat Sunda and the Indian Ocean became an important sailing route on the maritime Silk Road.