Question

Why did Columbus call the inhabitants of the islands he discovered the “indians”

Answer 1

Answer:

He called the people he found on the island "Indians" because he thought he had reached the Indian Ocean.

Explanation:

When Columbus was travelling, he initially meant to go through the Indian Ocean and to the Indies, and when he landed, he thought he was in the Indies. So, he named everyone there "Indians", even though he was definitely not in the Indies.