Question

Answer the following question in detail with the help of the given points:

Write the information about the Geographical Discoveries and explorers:

1. Christopher Columbus
2. Amerigo Vespuссі
3. Vasco-da-Gamа

Answer 1

1. Christopher Columbus:
   • The Ottoman forces took over Istanbul (Constantinople) in 1453. It was the capital city of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire.
   • Europeans could no longer use the eastern sea route. Because of this, they had to find another way to get to Asia.
   • Christopher Columbus was an Italian traveller who set sail in search of India with the help of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabel of Spain.
   • Since the earth is round, he was sure that if he sailed west, he would find India. He arrived in the American islands rather than India.
2. Amerigo Vespuссі:
   • Amerigo Vespucci, an Italian explorer, is supposed to have gone on an expedition on the orders of the King of Spain in 1497.
   • The land he found was named ‘Venezuela’.
   • In his third expedition, by following the river course, he could discover the delta region of the ‘Amazon’.
   • It is believed that America was named after Amerigo.
3. Vasco-da-Gamа:
   • After the fall of Constantinople, there was a scramble to discover a sea passage to India. Vasco-da-Gama ranks first among seamen.
   • In 1497, Vasco-da-Gama, a Portuguese seafarer, set sail with a fleet of four ships and 170 sailors in pursuit of India.
   • He travelled to Africa’s eastern coast, stopping in places such as Mombasa and Malindi. Vasco da Gama met an Indian navigator in Malindi and, guided by him, landed at the Indian port of Calicut (Kozhikode) in 1498.
   • He was the first European to reach India via the sea route.
   • He approached King Zamorin of Kozhikode for a trading license. After receiving clearance, he returned to Portugal.
   • After the establishment of Portuguese administration in Goa and Kochi, he was appointed as the first Viceroy.
   • His initiatives helped to establish trade between European countries and India.