The role of Iranian merchants in the maritime trade of the Indian Ocean basin from antiquity up to the 16th century is often underestimated. From scholarly histories to popular culture the “Muslim sailor” is typically portrayed as being an Arab. In fact, from pre-Islamic times the principal actors in Indian Ocean trade were predominantly Persian, as attested by the archaeological data, local written records, and the names of places and individuals.

中文翻译：

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从桑给巴尔到Zaytun：横跨印度洋盆地的伊朗商人

从古代到16世纪，伊朗商人在印度洋​​海域海洋贸易中的作用经常被低估。从学术史到大众文化，“穆斯林水手”通常被描绘成阿拉伯人。实际上，从考古学数据，当地书面记录以及地名和个人的名字可以证明，从伊斯兰时代开始，印度洋贸易的主要参与者主要是波斯人。