We have, so far, been attributing the discovery of India to the European seafarer – Vasco Da Gama, dating back to 1498. But did we ever know who really made it possible for him to navigate through the treacherous waters of the Indian Ocean?
Well, it was an Omani Arab Sailor AHMAD IBN MAJID, whom UNESCO has included in the list of globally influential people last year in November 2021 to mark his 600th birth year, but we really know very little of him
Who is Ahmad Ibn Majid?
Shihab Al Din Ahmad ibn Majid bin Mohammed Al Sabawi is a 15th century navigator and seafaring legend who was born in Julfar (Present day- Ras-al-khaimah), a port city in Oman in 1432 CE. He got the skills of sailing from his family as his father and grandfather were also skilled sailors and also owned some merchant ships. In his childhood Ahmad was deluded by the sea as his father had told him fascinating stories of sea voyages. Although he didn’t go for his first sea voyage until he reached the age of 17, as he had to first complete his religious studies which included memorizing Qur’an and was a requirement for all educated Muslims. His studies also included geography, mathematics, astronomy, Arabic & Persian languages.
The sea of knowledge
He started his journey in the sea as a helmsman (the person who controls the rudder) and went on to progress quickly to the rank of “MU’ALLIM” (master mariner). He held a great reputation as a navigator in the East African regions and the Arab world and also across the China seas. He has written several books on Navigation, Marine science and movement of ships. He was also an expert cartographer whose work helped the sailors of the Persian Gulf to reach the coast of India, East Africa and other destinations.His most famous work was Kitab-al-fawaid-fi’usul’ilm al-bahr wa-al-qawaid (The Book of the Benefits of the Principles and Foundations of Seamanship) which is known as the encyclopedia of navigation.
In this book he mentioned the history and basic principles of navigation from Noah to his own time; lunar mansions; difference between open and coastal sea sailing; classical astronomers and geographers; star positions; accounts of the monsoons, sea-storms and other topics like world 10 biggest Islands. His book is still acclaimed globally, as an oceanographic and navigational masterpiece. Many of his other great compilations can be found in the National Library in Paris.
Ahmad was also a famous inventor and he invented or amended many oceanic navigational equipment. Ahmad improved the design of the compass used at that time for navigation. He pulled all of the components parts together which provide the compass a better stability. He invented the magnetic needle (compass) used in determining marine directions. He also invented a device called “The Rose” (Al wardah); to determine wind directions when sailing.
Known throughout the Indian Ocean for his seafaring skills, he earned the nickname “Lion of the Sea”
Long before Vasco Da Gama began his voyage in the Indian Ocean, Ibn Majid was already an established name in the maritime business.
In fact, Vasco da Gama himself enlists the help of an Indian Ocean sailor to make the journey from Malindi (Kenya) to India. It is speculated that it was Ahmad Ibn Majid who, in a state of intoxication, told Portuguese explorer Vasco-da-gama the way to India in 1498. Although many historians are also of the opinion that Vasco already had a map made by Ahmad and a Gujarati sailor, who was present at the port of Malindi (Kenya) at that time and was coming back to India, and told him the way to the port of Calicut.
Even if Ibn Mājid was not the one piloting da Gama’s ship. But Vasco da Gama certainly wouldn’t have reached his destination without the collective learning that took place in the Indian Ocean through the contributions of Ibn Mājid.
“Muslim’s history is full of great people whom the modern world is unaware of, but they have shaped the world, we live in today”
