Ancient Hindus sailed from India to Indonesia. Why didn't they sail further to discover Australia? Why didn't Dutch discover Australia from Indonesia?

Ancient Hindus and the Discovery of Australia

Ancient Hindus did indeed have a robust maritime tradition, with extensive trade and cultural exchanges between India and Indonesia dating back to the 1st century AD13. However, there are several reasons why they might not have sailed further to discover Australia:

1. Geographical Barriers: The distance between Indonesia and Australia is significant, and the prevailing winds and currents in the region would have made it challenging for ancient ships to reach Australia without advanced navigational tools15.

2. Lack of Incentive: The economic and cultural incentives for sailing to Indonesia were strong, given the established trade routes and cultural exchanges. There might not have been a similar incentive to explore further east into the unknown35.

3. Technological Limitations: While ancient Indian ships were capable of long-distance voyages, they might not have had the necessary technology or experience to navigate the vast distances and unpredictable seas between Indonesia and Australia15.

Dutch Exploration and the Discovery of Australia

The Dutch, who were active in the region from the early 17th century, did explore parts of Australia but did not realize they had discovered a new continent. Here are reasons why they didn't discover Australia from Indonesia:

1. Navigational Challenges: The Dutch used the Brouwer Route, which took advantage of the Roaring Forties winds to reach Indonesia quickly. However, this route often led them off course, resulting in accidental landings along the Australian coast rather than a deliberate exploration2.

2. Lack of Systematic Exploration: The Dutch East India Company (VOC) focused primarily on the spice trade and establishing trading posts in Southeast Asia. Their voyages to Australia were often accidental or driven by economic interests rather than systematic exploration24.

3. Perception of Australia: When Dutch explorers did land in Australia, they often found the land unappealing for trade or settlement compared to the riches of the East Indies. This lack of economic incentive meant they did not pursue further exploration of the continent24.