Da Gama returned to Portugal in September 1503, with ships full of highly prized merchandise. He went on to Cochin, where he was able to set up a Portuguese colony. He laid siege to Calcuit, destroyed a fleet of 29 warships and forced the local princes to agree to his demands. Along the way he indiscriminately attacked Arab merchant ships. This time, he was sent with 20 warships, to enforce Portuguese demands. In 1502, da Gama was sent out on a new mission to India. Da Gama was received with a "heroe's welcome" when he returned. He arrived in Portugal on July 10th,1499.
He set sail for his return voyage on October 15th, 1498.
He was able to negotiate an initial trade agreement with local authorities. On May 20th, da Gama arrived at his destination Calicut, India. He was received warmly in Melinda, East Africa, where he was able to obtain the serviced of a navigator. He encountered difficulties when he attempted to secure those services from Muslim Mozambique. Da Gama needed the services of a navigator to direct him to India. By November, they had rounded the horn and reached the furthest point to which Dias had previously traveled.
On July 8th, 1497, da Gama sailed with his four ships for Southern Waters. In January 1497, da Gama was placed in command of an expedition to round Africa and reach India. Da Gama distinguished himself by defending Portuguese interests on the coast of Guinea, against the French. Vasco da Gama died of an illness in India on Decemhis remains were returned to Portugal for burial.Vasco da Gama was born around the year 1469, in Sines Portugal. On this voyage, da Gama killed hundreds of Muslims, often brutally, in order to demonstrate his power.Īfter King Manuel’s death, King John III sent da Gama to India as a Portuguese viceroy (the King’s representative in India). On this second trip, da Gama took 20 armed ships (anticipating problems from Muslim traders). King Manuel I of Portugal then sent da Gama, now an Admiral, on another expedition to India (1502-1503). Upon his return, da Gama was treated as a hero and was rewarded by the king. Along the way many crew members died from scurvy (a disease caused by a lack of Vitamin C).
When he left, da Gama took his goods with him, together with some Indian hostages.ĭa Gama returned to Lisbon, Portugal, in September, 1499. Da Gama left India on August 29, 1498, after he was told to pay a large tax and leave all of his trading goods. After many stops in Africa, and problems with Muslim traders who did not want interference in their profitable trade routes, da Gama reached Calicut, India on May 20, 1498.Īt first, da Gama and his trading were well-received, but this did not last for long. Da Gama’s patron was King Manuel I of Portugal.ĭa Gama rounded Africa’s Cape of Good Hope on November 22, and continued on to India. At the time, many people thought that da Gama’s trip would be impossible because it was assumed that the Indian Ocean was not connected to any other seas. Vasco da Gama sailed from Lisbon, Portugal, on July 8, 1497, heading to the East. He was to have made the sea voyage from Portugal to India that eventually made his son famous, but the elder da Gama died before completing the journey. Da Gama’s father Estavao was also an explorer. Vasco da Gama (1460-1524) was a Portuguese explorer who discovered an ocean route from Portugal to the East.ĭa Gama was born to a noble family in Sines, Portugal.