Man has always had a burning desire to explore the world around him. This natural urge within him to discover and see what lies beyond his own limited horizon has always led him to explore outside his own land. The explorers of ancient times often undertook perilous journeys across the seas as well as by land for trading, conquest and other purposes.
But events were somewhat different in the 14th and 15th centuries. It was the period of Renaissance when people again became interested after a long gap, in every aspect of art, science, architecture and literature. New ideas and outlooks were emerging in all fields and the field of exploration was no exception. New lands and sea-routes were being discovered by European explorers. Columbus, a very brave and determined seaman, probably has earned the highest recognition in the history of exploration for his adventures. The most famous among his voyages was the one when he discovered the first sea-route to America, thereby opening it to the rest of the world.
Christopher Columbus (1451-1506) was a gifted voyager who had a dream to discover the sea-route to Indies (Asia) by sailing westwards. Sailors of those days used to sail east to reach China, Japan and India and managed to bring plenty of gold, spices and treasure. Columbus was convinced that Earth was not flat but round and thought he could reach Indies quicker by sailing west as this could be the shortest route. To translate his ideas into action he approached the Kings of Portugal and England for help who turned him down. Finally Queen Isabella of Spain agreed to sponsor his voyage and provided him ships, manpower and money, required for the voyage.
Columbus sailed with 90 men in three small ships: Santa Maria, Nina and Pinta. After sailing for three weeks without the sight of any land, his crews became restive, afraid and rebellious. Finally on 12 October, 1492 they reached an island in the America which Columbus named as San Salvodar which was an island in the Bahamas. He was convinced that it was the Indies and he was very near Japan. When he sailed around one island to another he saw the inhabitants of those islands whom he thought were ‘Indians’. That is why they are still called American Indians and the islands he first reached are called West Indies. During the journey, the Santa Maria was wrecked off one island which he named Hispaniola. He left 40 of his men there to form a colony and then returned to Spain where he was given a hero’s welcome.
Consequently Columbus made another voyage and arrived at Hispaniola where he found all 40 men he left had been murdered. This time he also visited Jamaica. Some fellow sailors complained about his wild behaviour and harsh rule as a viceroy. But he was permitted a third expedition in 1498 and this time he landed in Trinidad and also stepped on the mainland America.
Though Columbus excelled as an explorer yet he failed as a governor. When a complaint about his misrule was made against him and his brother, he was replaced by a new governor who promptly arrested him and sent back to Spain. He was later pardoned and given an opportunity to make one more voyage. This time he was sure that he had reached near the mouth of Ganges in India. He returned to Spain as a sickman, died in poverty still with the belief that he had in fact reached ‘Indies’.