It is said travelling is the best way to broaden one's knowledge about the world. And we don't leave any stone unturned to brag about our trivial journey. We are such narcissists. This is where we need a reality check. Travelling is not an unattainable dream in this era of liberalization and technical boom. Indeed it's a small world and travel is easy and convenient. However, today we are going to list down our favourite top 5 explorers and travelers of all time who broke cultural barriers, set out in the unknown territories, exploring the diversity of the world. Without further ado;
1. Xuanzang (Hsüan-tsang):
Period: (602-644)
School history books mentioned of this Chinese monk. Being the translator he is, documented the interaction between India and China. In the classic Chinese text "Great Tang Records on the Western Regions" he chronicles about the social strata, the rulers, their architecture of India at that time. The northern parts of Silk Route that are now Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan were trailed by him. It is said during his 17 year overland journey through length and breadth of India he was attacked by dacoits, survived an avalanche. Probably he is the first one to introduce travel journaling to the world.
2. Ibn Battuta
Period: (1304-1368)
When the song Ibn-E-Battuta from the movie Ishqiya was playing in the loop we thought it is just another Urdu word penned by Gulzar. We were perplexed by the information, hence decided to dig deep about this man whose name sounded more an exotic fruit. A Muslim scholar from Morocco, Ibn set out on a pilgrimage at the tender age of 21. His itinerary is good enough to give serious complex to any traveler. He covered regions that as of today consists of 44 countries from Timbuktu to Shanghai, Italy to Indonesia. The world get to know unique perspective of 13th-century Muslim society by his work. Covering a distance of more than 120,000 KM in that time is not an easy feast.
3. Marco Polo
Period: (1254-1324)
A Venetian merchant at the age of 17 embarked on a journey to Asia and China with his father and uncle in the early 1270s. Trading was the purpose of travel. The epic voyage continued for 24 years covering a distance of 15,000 miles. The course he set is now known as Silk Route. He passed through Persia, Afghanistan, Mongolia, and China. Using Beijing as a base he continued his onward journey exploring Burma, India, Singapore, Sumatra. His travelogue "The Travels of Marco Polo" introduced Europeans to Central Asia and China. It is said he dictated the stories to a cellmate while being imprisoned in Venice. His famous quote “I have only told the half of what I saw!” is the ultimate true for any travel bloggers. In Telugu movie "Rudhramadevi" there was a scene where Marco Polo giving input of Kakatiya Dynasty in Italian court.
4. Christopher Columbus
Period: (1451-1506)
Known as the discoverer of America, Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer, navigator. He completed four voyages across the Atlantic under auspices of the Catholic Monarchs of Spain. His intention was to discover India and find better sea route to eastern part. The poor chap lost track and landed in what we call today America. Technically he is not the first one to land in America, but his invention opened the flood gates of opportunities for trading between Europe and America. It is true his ambition and determination inspired many to venture into the field of expedition. However, in few years Vasco Da Gama did what Columbus set his mind to. Being Indians we refuse to accept "India being discovered". It is true Vasco Da Gama discovered sea route to India, but many foreigners like Alexander, Arabs, Mongols invaded through land route via Khyber Pass. We digress.
5. Freya Stark
The "last of the Romantic travellers" is what she was called. A British by nationality, this woman travel writer was the first non-Arabian to travel across Arabian deserts. She has written many books describing her journey to Syria, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Yemen, Lebanon, Turkey, and Afghanistanin. She was the most cherished historical travel writer. Baghdad Sketches, The Valleys of the Assassins and Other Persian Travels, The Lycian Shore are few among her dozens of travel books. She inspired many women to embark the beautiful journey called "traveling". “To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world" is one of our favourite quotes of Stark.
