When the world’s landforms and seas were once uncharted and unknown, a few brave, adventurous explorers set sail in search of trade, knowledge and power.
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The Age of Discovery, from the early 15th to the mid-17th century, marked the beginning of globalisation. Here are a few explorers who were responsible for those fated voyages into the unknown:
1. Ibn Battuta
This renowned 14th century Moroccan traveller began his travels when he was just 20 years old. For 29 years after, he covered around 120,700km – the equivalent of visiting 44 countries. During his travels, Ibn Battuta faced numerous dangers – from being attacked by bandits to almost drowning in a sinking ship, to being nearly beheaded by a ruler! Near the end of his life, the Sultan of Morocco insisted that he narrate his adventures to a scholar, so that it could be written down for posterity. That led to Ibn Battuta’s famous memoirs, titled Rihla (Journey).
2. Marco Polo
A Venetian merchant, Marco Polo’s journey took him along the Silk Road, all the way from Europe to Asia in the 13th century. Originally invited to the court of Kublai Khan with his father and uncle, Polo remained in China for the next 17 years, as the Mongol ruler sent him on missions to distant parts of the empire. Although Polo was not the first European to make his way to China, his travelogue – Il Milione (The Million, or The Travels of Marco Polo) – inspired many other explorers, including Christopher Columbus, who would go on to reach the Americas.
3. Vasco de Gama
The Portuguese explorer set sail from Lisbon to India in 1497, and when he arrived, he became the first European to reach India by sea. His voyage led to the opening up of new sea routes connecting Europe to Asia. It also brought British colonialism to Asia, although it took the Europeans another century to challenge Portugal’s naval strength and monopoly of commodities, such as pepper and cinnamon.
Which world explorer are you most inspired by? Play today’s Word Search and tell us at games@gulfnews.com.
