Encounters with the Outside World

Marco Polo arrived in the court of Kublai Khan in 1275 and for the next 17 years travelled as his envoy on fact-finding expeditions.His book "A description of the world" was reprinted many times and the picture below depicts Khan's men exchanging paper money (an unknown commodity in the west) for bullion.

Zheng was a brilliant admiral and on the order of the Chinese Emperor Yongle took a fleet of 62 large junks and over 100 smaller ships to India in 1405. Later expeditions between 1407 and 1433 led to contact with 40 countries around the Indian Ocean. On Zhengs 4th expedition he took a Giraffe as a gift from the Sultan of Malindi(Kenya) to the Chinese Emperor which is depicted in painting on silk.He visited Anjadiv.Zhengs vessels displaced upto 1500 tones and were 135 meters in length and were the largest ships built upto that time.

Between 1487 and 1522 explorers fron Spain and Portugal, lured by dreams of wealth and inspired by crusading zeal revealed the outline of the worlds major continental landmass.Vasco da Gama became the first European to reach India by sea.Christopher Columbus discovered America and Magellan revealed the vast extent of Pacific.

Prince Henry nicknamed 'The Navigator' was the uncle of Afonso V ruler of Portugal and considered the father of Portuguese exploration.Collection of Museu da Marinhas Lisbon.

Vasco da Gama, leader of the fisrt European fleet to reach India (Spanish Engraving).

The fleet of Vasco da Gama which embarked to India in 1497 (One supply ship was destroyed enroute).From Memoria das Armadas.

The Caravel was the vessel of Europes first great ocean voyages.It was 20 meter long with a 120 tonne capacity and the only cabin space was in stern.The open deck offered little protection to the crew or stores.

The fleet with which Pedro Alvares Cabral set out for India in 1500.From Memoria das Armadas.

MAP OF INDIA - MARTIN WELDSEEMULLER(1513)

BIBLICALLY INSPIRED MAP OF THE 15TH CENTURY

WORLD MAP THOUGHT TO HAVE BEEN MADE IN MAJORCA-MID 15TH CENTURY

THE EARLIEST KNOWN GLOBE-1492.

CHRISTOPHER COLOMBUS

PORTUGUESE ASTROLABE (15 CENTURY)