Final answer:
Columbus sailed west in his first expedition in search of a quicker route to reach the East Indies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Columbus sailed west in his first expedition because he was searching for a quicker route to reach the East Indies for Portugal. After being rejected by Portugal, he convinced King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain to fund his voyage. Columbus believed that by sailing west, he would reach the East Indies. However, he actually landed in the Bahamas, which he believed to be the East Indies.