Biography
Vasco Da Gama Memorial : In Front
Vasco Da Gama
The biography of Vasco Da Gama (1469-1524) the Portuguese explorer. Vasco da Gama was the commander of the first ships to sail from Europe to India. Vasco da Gama's momentous voyage irreversibly changed the course of human history by opening up the sea route to the east.
Vasco Da Gama was a Portuguese Explorer who
was the first European to reach India by sea. This Great Discovery makes him
The National Hero of Portugal .
Vasco da Gama was a Portuguese explorer who was the first European to
reach India by sea. As the first person to sail directly from Europe to India, he
linked Europe and Asia by ocean route, opening up vast trade and political
opportunities for the Portuguese who no longer needed to traverse the dangerous
and risky routes they previously used to. The discovery of the new sea route
enabled the Portuguese to easily reach Asia and establish their colonial rule.
Born as one of the sons of a wealthy knight, Vasco da Gama grew up to be a
brave and curious young man. He is believed to have been educated in
mathematics and navigation before joining the navy. He first proved his
capabilities when King John II of Portugal sent him on a mission to the south
of Lisbon and then to the Algarve region of the country to seize French ships
in order to prove a political point to the French government which had
disrupted Portugal shipping. The successful completion of this mission
established him as a fearless sailor and earned him popularity. Later on when
King Manuel ascended to the throne, he sent da Gama on a mission to find a
maritime route to the East. The successful discovery of the direct sea route to
India earned him much respect and he was made the Portuguese viceroy in India.
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| Vasco Da Gama
Childhood &
Early Life
Career : The National Hero of Portugal
Vasco Da Gama
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- Vasco da Gama
joined the Order of Santiago around
1480. King John II of Portugal, who ascended to the throne in 1481 held
the Order in high regard and this proved beneficial for the future career
of da Gama.
- The king
dispatched da Gama on a mission to the port of Setúbal and to the Algarve
in 1492. The French government had earlier disrupted Portuguese shipping
and John II wanted da Gama to seize French ships in an act of retaliation.
Da Gama, a fearless navigator, effortlessly performed the given task and
received praise from the overjoyed king.
- In 1495, King
Manuel ascended to the throne, and he too, like his predecessor was much
in favor of the da Gama family. By this time, Portugal which had
established itself as one of the most powerful maritime countries in
Europe revived its earlier mission to find a direct trade route to India.
- Vasco da Gama
was chosen to lead the expedition to India in 1497. Captaining a fleet of
four vessels, including his flagship, St. Gabriel, he set off in July 1497
to find a sailing route to India and the East.
- The expedition
first sailed south down the coast of Africa and then turned out into the
Atlantic before swinging back in an arc to arrive at the southern African
coast. Then the ships reached the Cape of Good Hope and moved toward the
uncharted waters of the Indian Ocean. The explorers finally reached the
Indian coast, at Calicut (now Kozhikode) in May 1498, thus successfully
discovering the all-water route from Europe to Asia. The explorers
returned to Portugal after a difficult journey back home in 1499.
- Da Gama
received a hero’s welcome back home and was showered with many rewards by
the king. The king sent him on another voyage to India in 1502 with the
aim of securing Portugal's dominance in the region.
- On this voyage
the explorers attacked Muslim ships, terrorized Muslim ports along the
African east coast, and upon reaching Calicut, India, destroyed the city's
trade port and killed several hostages. He returned from this voyage in
1503. The king did not consider this voyage to be a success and thus da
Gama did not receive any rewards.
- Da Gama lived a
quiet life for the next two decades. In 1521, King Manuel I died and was
succeeded by his son King John III of Portugal. John III decided to
appoint Vasco da Gama as the Viceroy of India in 1524.
- The king sent da Gama on his third voyage to India in April 1524 with a fleet of 14 ships. After a troubled journey, the fleet arrived in India. This proved to be da Gama’s final voyage as he died within three months of arriving in India.
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| Vasco Da Gama Memorial |
Major Work
- Vasco da Gama’s biggest contribution to Portuguese was the
discovery of a direct sea route linking Europe and Asia for the first
time. This feat, accomplished on his first voyage to India not only opened
up many avenues for world trade but also paved the way for Portuguese
colonization in Asia.
Personal Life & Legacy
- Vasco da Gama
married Catarina de Ataíde around 1501. His wife was the daughter of
Álvaro de Ataíde, the alcaide-mór of Alvor (Algarve), and a prominent nobleman. The couple had six sons and one
daughter.
- Da Gama
embarked on his third voyage to India in 1524. He contracted malaria not
long after his arrival in India and his health declined steadily. He died
in Cochin on Christmas Eve in 1524. He was initially buried in Kochi but
later on his remains were returned to Portugal in 1539.
Vasco Da Gama Shoping Complex , Lisbone,Portugal.
The biography of Vasco Da Gama (1469-1524) the Portuguese explorer. Vasco da Gama was the commander of the first ships to sail from Europe to India. Vasco da Gama's momentous voyage irreversibly changed the course of human history by opening up the sea route to the east.