Sharma (medieval)

Sharma, located on the Raʾs Sharma promontory in Ḥaḍramawt, was a medieval trading port on the Gulf of Aden, pivotal in the Indian Ocean trade network. Founded around 980 CE by merchants from Siraf, it became a bustling entrepôt connecting East Africa, India, and beyond, particularly noted for its rich assemblage of Chinese ceramics. The site, a fortified warehouse complex, included defensive walls, a mosque, and various storage and industrial structures like kilns. Although sparsely populated, it was strategically positioned at the crossroads of trade routes driven by the monsoon winds. The port's decline began in the mid-12th century and concluded with its abandonment following an Ayyubid assault in 1180 CE. Subsequent reoccupations occurred in the late 13th century and again from the 17th to 19th centuries, underscoring its enduring significance in regional commerce.