African+slaves

The trade of slaves across the Indian ocean also has a long history beginning with the control of sea routes by Afro Arab traders in the ninth century. It is estimated that only a few thousand slaves were taken each year from the Red Sea and Indian Ocean coast. They were sold throughout the Middle East. This trade accelerated as superior ships led to more trade and greater demand for labour on Plantations in the region. Eventually, tens of thousands per year were being taken.