Vasco da Gama

Vasco da Gama

Vasco da Gama, pronounced VAS koh duh GAM uh, (1469?-1524), was a Portuguese sea captain and explorer. He commanded the first fleet to reach India from Europe. Da Gama's voyage around the Cape of Good Hope in Africa to India in the late 1490's opened the first all-water trade route between Europe and Asia.

Da Gama sailed from Lisbon, Portugal, on July 8, 1497. After rounding the Cape of Good Hope, he stopped at trading centers that are now Mocambique, Mozambique; and Mombasa and Malindi, Kenya. Arab traders in Mocambique and Mombasa hated the Portuguese and tried to seize their ships. The people at Malindi were friendlier and arranged for a guide to lead the fleet to India.

On May 20, 1498, da Gama reached Calicut, India. But the Indian ruler felt insulted because he thought the gifts da Gama had brought him were of little value. In addition, Muslim merchants controlled trade in Calicut and resented European interference in their business. In August 1498, da Gama sailed for home with only samples of Indian goods. Many of the sailors died of disease during the voyage. Da Gama arrived in Lisbon in September 1499. King Manuel rewarded him and gave him the title of Admiral of the Sea of India.

Da Gama made a second voyage to India in 1502 to establish and expand trade there. He killed many innocent Indians and Muslims in revenge for violence against Portuguese sailors. Portugal soon became one of the most important trading and naval powers in the Indian Ocean.

Excerpt adapted from the "Vaco de Gama" article, The World Book Encyclopedia © 1999