The spices, wines and precious metals of the
Bengal Sultanate[5] had attracted European traders to trade with Bengal, but the trade was subsequently lower, due to the rise of the Ottoman Empire, which introduced new taxes and tariffs against European traders. This had led to explorers like
Christopher Columbus finding a route to reach India, which eventually reached the Americas. Explorers like
Vasco da Gama, a Portuguese traveller, also found a route to reach to India from the African coast.
In
Africa, the
spread of Islam led to the destruction of the Christian kingdoms of
Nubia, by the end of the century, leaving only
Alodia (which was to collapse in 1504). The formerly vast
Mali Empire teetered on the brink of collapse, under pressure from the rising
Songhai Empire.
1405–
1433: During the
Ming treasure voyages, Admiral
Zheng He of China sails through the
Indian Ocean to Malacca, India, Ceylon, Persia, Arabia, and East Africa to spread China's influence and sovereignty. The first voyage, a massive
Ming dynasty naval expedition ending in 1407, visited Java, Palembang, Malacca, Aru, Samudera and Lambri.[8]
1417: A large goodwill mission led by three kings of Sulu, the Eastern KingPaduka Pahala, the Western king Maharaja Kolamating and Cave king Paduka Prabhu as well as 340 members of their delegation, in what is now the southern Philippines, ploughed through the Pacific Ocean to China to pay tribute to the
Yongle emperor of the
Ming Dynasty.[9]
1417: The East king of Sulu,
Paduka Pahala, on their way home, suddenly died in Dezhou, a city in east China's Shandong province. The
Yongle Emperor Zhu Di commissioned artisans to build a tomb for the king.[10]
1453: The
Battle of Castillon is the last engagement of the
Hundred Years' War and the first battle in European history where cannons were a major factor in deciding the battle.
29 March –
Battle of Towton: Edward IV defeats Queen Margaret to make good his claim to the English throne (thought to be the bloodiest battle ever fought in England).
28 June – Edward, Richard of York's son, is crowned as
Edward IV, King of England (reigns until
1483).
1462:
Sonni Ali Ber, the ruler of the
Songhai (or Songhay) Empire, along the
Niger River, conquers
Mali in the central
Sudan by defeating the
Tuareg contingent at
Tombouctou (or
Timbuktu) and capturing the city. He develops both his own capital,
Gao, and the main centres of Mali, Timbuktu and
Djenné, into major cities. Ali Ber controls trade along the Niger River with a navy of war vessels.
1492: The death of
Sunni Ali Ber left a leadership void in the
Songhai Empire, and his son was soon dethroned by
Mamadou Toure who ascended the throne in 1493 under the name
Askia (meaning "general") Muhammad. Askia Muhammad made Songhai the largest empire in the history of West Africa. The empire went into decline, however, after 1528, when the now-blind Askia Muhammad was dethroned by his son,
Askia Musa.
1500: Islam becomes the dominant religion across the Indonesian archipelago.[13]
1500: in an effort to increase his power.
Bolkiah founded the city of
Selurong—later named
Maynila, on the other side of the
Pasig River shortly after taking over
Tondo from its monarch, Lakan Gambang.[14]
1500: Around late 15th century
Bujangga Manik manuscript was composed, tell the story of Jaya Pakuan Bujangga Manik, a
Sundanese Hindu hermit journeys throughout Java and Bali.[15]
Movable type first used by King
Taejong of Joseon—
1403. (Movable type, which allowed individual characters to be arranged to form words, was invented in China by
Bi Sheng between 1041 and 1048.)
^Nanda, J. N (2005). Bengal: the unique state. Concept Publishing Company. p. 10. 2005.
ISBN978-81-8069-149-2. Bengal [...] was rich in the production and export of grain, salt, fruit, liquors and wines, precious metals and ornaments besides the output of its handlooms in silk and cotton. Europe referred to Bengal as the richest country to trade with.
Tolley, Thomas (2001). "Eyck, Barthélemy d'". In Hugh Brigstocke (ed.). The Oxford Companion to Western Art. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
ISBN0-19-866203-3.