The article describes on the background of a commercial voyage of the ship Apollon involvement of the City of Hamburg in the Eurasian trade. Although in the past series of attempts to establish direct trade between northern Germany and Asia happened, this became reality in the thirties of the 18th century as a result of cooperation between Hamburg merchants and Ostend Company and its followers. In spite of counteractions of western countries Hamburg temporarily transformed into a Central European distribution center of Asian commodities. Like the whole Ostend Company, a thriving oriental trade in Hamburg was sacrificed in favor of dynastic interests of the Habsburg dynasty.
Author recapitulates main turning-points in the development of Austrian Ostend Company. In this respect he states that however principal destination of Ostend trade was China, two bases of the company arose in India, namely Coblon on Coromandel Coast and Bankibazar in Bengal. The article is dedicated to the description of the second one. It is divided to the four parts. The first is devoted to establishment of the colony. Core of the article is the detailed characterization of the factory including its social structure. Account of the trade connections of the colony forms the second part. Last one is devoted to Austrian plans on capture of Bengal and attempts to sale the factory in 30s of 18th century.
The article discusses the ways in which the oriental goods were delivered to the British colonies in North America as well as the role played by these goods during the formation of the American Revolution. Subsequently, a detailed description of the pioneering path of the ship Empress of China set out by Philadelphia financier Robert Morris to China in the years 1783–1785 and the impact this on American commercial expansion to China and Asia. In conclusion, it outlines the nature of the American business community in Guangzhou.
The second part of the study on the origins of USAsian trade describes the trade between the USA and China, searching for the appropriate equivalent of Chinese goods on the American side (ginseng, fur, sandal wood). Particular attention is paid to American trade with Asia under a neutral flag during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. The last part describes the role of Chinese material culture in the life of the early United States.
The article traces on the background of the urban development of Pondicherry blending European and Asian influences in the material culture of this city. The development of the city can be divided into several stages. The first begins with the granting of rights to the French base in 1673 and lasts until 1691. This period is devoted to the building of basic infrastructure. For the urbanism of the city Dutch occupation in 1693–1699 is of the key importance. Dutch construction schedule was adopted by French, who developed it almost in full till 1741. The years 1741–1761 brought a flowering of monumental architecture, reflecting the French attempts of the rise of colonial empire in India. After the destruction of the city by English in 1761 reconstruction followed, which enriched the city with several important buildings, but the subsequent English occupations in the years 1778–1785 and 1793–1816 put an end to the city‘s development as an important commercial and cultural center.