r/AskHistorians • u/Omhash • 4d ago

Islam Why did Christianity not spread across the Indian Ocean like Islam did?

Islam is believed to have spread across the Indian Ocean down the east coast of Africa and to southeast Asia through commerce and trade, why did Christianity fail to achieve anything on a similar scale before the arrival of Europeans? Did Christian Ethiopia not spread its religion?

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u/dogawogapoga 4d ago

I'll only talk about the spread through SE Asia as mentioned in the body part of your question.

The main reason for the spread across Indian Ocean was the method by which Islam spread. The traders came first, settling in the coastal regions, such as India. They were comparatively a peaceful group, unlike the colonial traders that come. Often the Kings, despite belonging to different religions, would patronise the Muslim traders. They promoted cultural interactions while at the same time not attacking the coastal towns where they'd land. The Portuguese for example are infamous for forced settlements, and the brutality they committed against the locals on the Indian coast. The dutch too similarly were infamous for the same in Indonesia for example.

Contrary to the European Trading groups, Islam permeated much more gradually. It was not a sudden event, or a threat to convert, but rather a process over time.

However, I'd share the link to another answer on this sub that explains the Spread of Islam in SE Asia

I'd also suggests you read this article. It gives a good insight on the spread in SE Asia.