Asia used to be known as “The East Indies”. Pepper, spices, medicinal drugs, aromatic woods, perfumes and silks were rare commodities in Europe, and therefore valuable. Trading in them could make you a fortune. And for this chance many were willing to risk their lives.

There were three great empires in Asia:
– the Ottoman Turkish
– the Mughal
– the Chinese

Each was wealthy and sophisticated and had its own international trading network. How could Europe open up its own trading routes to Asia?

Rome, Constantinople and Venice had all created successful trade links with the East. But this was only a beginning.