Final answer:
The Indian Ocean trade network before the arrival of the Europeans was characterized by thriving commerce and cultural exchanges. European arrival brought political conflicts and significant changes to the trade network.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Indian Ocean trade network before the arrival of the Europeans was characterized by thriving commerce and cultural exchanges. The ports on the western coast of India, such as those in the Sultanate of Gujarat, were central hubs of this trade. Valuable raw materials, exquisite manufactured products, religious beliefs, philosophies, and technological developments were among the goods and ideas that traveled across the Indian Ocean.
However, the arrival of Europeans significantly changed the Indian Ocean trade network. European nations, including Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, England, and France, sought to control the wealth of this region. Their presence led to political conflicts with Indian dynasties such as the Mughals and Marathas. Additionally, the Europeans introduced new trade routes, commodities, and trading practices that transformed the dynamics of the Indian Ocean trade.