- Vasco da Gama
- Early life
- Voyage to India
- Return to Portugal
- Later life and death
- Legacy
- See also
- References
Vasco da Gama (c. 1460 24 December 1524) was a Portuguese explorer and navigator who was the first European to sail directly from Europe to India. He was born in Sines, Portugal, and died in Cochin, India.
Da Gama’s voyage to India was a major turning point in world history. It opened up a new trade route between Europe and Asia, and it led to the Portuguese colonization of India. Da Gama was a controversial figure, but he is also considered one of the greatest explorers of all time.
Early life
Vasco da Gama was born in Sines, Portugal, in about 1460. His father, Estêvão da Gama, was a nobleman and a knight of the Order of Christ. His mother, Isabel Sodré, was the daughter of a wealthy merchant.
Da Gama was educated at the University of Lisbon. He learned navigation and seamanship from his father and from other experienced sailors.
Voyage to India
In 1497, King Manuel I of Portugal commissioned da Gama to lead a voyage to India. The goal of the voyage was to find a direct sea route to India, which would allow Portugal to trade with the Indian subcontinent without having to go through Muslim-controlled lands.
Da Gama set sail from Lisbon on 8 July 1497. He sailed south along the coast of Africa, and he rounded the Cape of Good Hope on 22 November 1497. He then sailed across the Indian Ocean, and he reached Calicut, India, on 20 May 1498.
Da Gama’s arrival in India was a major event. It was the first time that a European had reached India by sea. Da Gama was able to establish trade relations with the Indian rulers, and he returned to Portugal with a cargo of spices.
Return to Portugal
Da Gama returned to Portugal in triumph in 1499. He was greeted as a hero, and he was given a large reward by King Manuel I.
Da Gama was made a member of the Order of Christ, and he was given the title of Admiral of the Indian Ocean. He was also given the governorship of the newly established Portuguese colony of Mozambique.
Later life and death
Da Gama made two more voyages to India, in 1502 and 1524. He died in Cochin, India, on 24 December 1524.
Legacy
Vasco da Gama was a controversial figure. Some people see him as a hero who opened up new trade routes and helped to spread Christianity. Others see him as a villain who exploited the people of India and helped to start the Portuguese colonization of the Indian subcontinent.
Regardless of how he is viewed, Vasco da Gama was a major figure in world history. His voyage to India was a turning point, and it led to the Portuguese colonization of India. Da Gama is also considered one of the greatest explorers of all time.
See also
- Portuguese India
- List of Portuguese explorers
- List of people from Sines
References
- Boxer, Charles R. (1973). The Portuguese Seaborne Empire, 14151825. London: Hutchinson.
- Diffie, Bailey W., and George D. Winius (1977). Foundations of the Portuguese Empire, 14151580. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.
- Subrahmanyam, Sanjay (1997). The Career and Legend of Vasco da Gama. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Thomaz, Luís Filipe F.R. (1984). “Vasco da Gama e a Índia”. In Luís Filipe F.R. Thomaz (ed.). De Ceuta a Damão: Estudos de história Indo-Portuguesa. Lisbon: Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian.
Vasco da Gama (c. 1460 24 December 1524) was a Portuguese explorer and navigator who was the first European to sail directly from Europe to India. He was born in Sines, Portugal, and died in Cochin, India.
Da Gama’s voyage to India was a major turning point in world history. It opened up a new trade route between Europe and Asia, and it led to the Portuguese colonization of India. Da Gama was a controversial figure, but he is also considered one of the greatest explorers of all time.
Early life
Vasco da Gama was born in Sines, Portugal, in about 1460. His father, Estêvão da Gama, was a nobleman and a knight of the Order of Christ. His mother, Isabel Sodré, was the daughter of a wealthy merchant.
Da Gama was educated at the University of Lisbon. He learned navigation and seamanship from his father and from other experienced sailors.
Voyage to India
In 1497, King Manuel I of Portugal commissioned da Gama to lead a voyage to India. The goal of the voyage was to find a direct sea route to India, which would allow Portugal to trade with the Indian subcontinent without having to go through Muslim-controlled lands.
Da Gama set sail from Lisbon on 8 July 1497. He sailed south along the coast of Africa, and he rounded the Cape of Good Hope on 22 November 1497. He then sailed across the Indian Ocean, and he reached Calicut, India, on 20 May 1498.
Da Gama’s arrival in India was a major event. It was the first time that a European had reached India by sea. Da Gama was able to establish trade relations with the Indian rulers, and he returned to Portugal with a cargo of spices.
Return to Portugal
Da Gama returned to Portugal in triumph in 1499. He was greeted as a hero, and he was given a large reward by King Manuel I.
Da Gama was made a member of the Order of Christ, and he was given the title of Admiral of the Indian Ocean. He was also given the governorship of the newly established Portuguese colony of Mozambique.
Later life and death
Da Gama made two more voyages to India, in 1502 and 1524. He died in Cochin, India, on 24 December 1524.
Legacy
Vasco da Gama was a controversial figure. Some people see him as a hero who opened up new trade routes and helped to spread Christianity. Others see him as a villain who exploited the people of India and helped to start the Portuguese colonization of the Indian subcontinent.
Regardless of how he is viewed, Vasco da Gama was a major figure in world history. His voyage to India was a turning point, and it led to the Portuguese colonization of India. Da Gama is also considered one of the greatest explorers of all time.
See also
- Portuguese India
- List of Portuguese explorers
- List of people from Sines
References
- Boxer, Charles R. (1973). The Portuguese Seaborne Empire, 14151825. London: Hutchinson.
- Diffie, Bailey W., and George D. Winius (1977). Foundations of the Portuguese Empire, 14151580. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.
- Subrahmanyam, Sanjay (1997). The Career and Legend of Vasco da Gama. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Thomaz, Luís Filipe F.R. (1984). “Vasco da Gama e a Índia”. In Luís Filipe F.R. Thomaz (ed.). De Ceuta a Damão: Estudos de história Indo-Portuguesa. Lisbon: Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian.
Vasco da Gama
Vasco da Gama was a Portuguese explorer and navigator who was the first European to sail directly from Europe to India. He was born in Sines, Portugal, in about 1460. His father, Estêvão da Gama, was a nobleman and a knight of the Order of Christ. His mother, Isabel Sodré, was the daughter of a wealthy merchant.
Da Gama was educated at the University of Lisbon. He learned navigation and seamanship from his father and from other experienced sailors.
In 1497, King Manuel I of Portugal commissioned da Gama to lead a voyage to India. The goal of the voyage was to find a direct sea route to India, which would allow Portugal to trade with the Indian subcontinent without having to go through Muslim-controlled lands.
Da Gama set sail from Lisbon on 8 July 1497. He sailed south along the coast of Africa, and he rounded the Cape of Good Hope on 22 November 1497. He then sailed across the Indian Ocean, and he reached Calicut, India, on 20 May 1498.
Da Gama’s arrival in India was a major event. It was the first time that a European had reached India by sea. Da Gama was able to establish trade relations with the Indian rulers, and he returned to Portugal with a cargo of spices.
Da Gama returned to Portugal in triumph in 1499. He was greeted as a hero, and he was given a large reward by King Manuel I.
Da Gama was made a member of the Order of Christ, and he was given the title of Admiral of the Indian Ocean. He was also given the governorship of the newly established Portuguese colony of Mozambique.
Da Gama made two more voyages to India, in 1502 and 1524. He died in Cochin, India, on 24 December 1524.
Early life
Vasco da Gama was born in Sines, Portugal, in about 1460. His father, Estêvão da Gama, was a nobleman and a knight of the Order of Christ. His mother, Isabel Sodré, was the daughter of a wealthy merchant.
Da Gama was educated at the University of Lisbon. He learned navigation and seamanship from his father and from other experienced sailors.
Voyage to India
In 1497, King Manuel I of Portugal commissioned da Gama to lead a voyage to India. The goal of the voyage was to find a direct sea route to India, which would allow Portugal to trade with the Indian subcontinent without having to go through Muslim-controlled lands.
Da Gama set sail from Lisbon on 8 July 1497. He sailed south along the coast of Africa, and he rounded the Cape of Good Hope on 22 November 1497. He then sailed across the Indian Ocean, and he reached Calicut, India, on 20 May 1498.
Da Gama’s arrival in India was a major event. It was the first time that a European had reached India by sea. Da Gama was able to establish trade relations with the Indian rulers, and he returned to Portugal with a cargo of spices.
Return to Portugal
Da Gama returned to Portugal in triumph in 1499. He was greeted as a hero, and he was given a large reward by King Manuel I.
Da Gama was made a member of the Order of Christ, and he was given the title of Admiral of the Indian Ocean. He was also given the governorship of the newly established Portuguese colony of Mozambique.
Later life and death
Da Gama made two more voyages to India, in 1502 and 1524. He died in Cochin, India, on 24 December 1524.
Legacy
Vasco da Gama was a controversial figure. Some people see him as a hero who opened up new trade routes and helped to spread Christianity. Others see him as a villain who exploited the people of India and helped to start the Portuguese colonization of the Indian subcontinent.
Regardless of how he is viewed, Vasco da Gama was a major figure in world history. His voyage to India was a turning point, and it led to the Portuguese colonization of India. Da Gama is also considered one of the greatest explorers of all time.
See also
- Portuguese India
- List of Portuguese explorers
- List of people from Sines
References
- Boxer, Charles R. (1973). The Portuguese Seaborne Empire, 14151825. London: Hutchinson.
- Diffie, Bailey W., and
Vasco da Gama was born in:
(a) Portugal
(b) Spain
(c) Italy
(d) FranceVasco da Gama was a:
(a) sailor
(b) explorer
(c) navigator
(d) all of the aboveVasco da Gama’s voyage to India was a major turning point in world history because it:
(a) opened up a new trade route between Europe and Asia
(b) led to the Portuguese colonization of India
(c) both (a) and (b)Vasco da Gama was a controversial figure because:
(a) he was seen as a hero by some and a villain by others
(b) he exploited the people of India
(c) he helped to start the Portuguese colonization of India
(d) all of the aboveVasco da Gama is considered one of the greatest explorers of all time because:
(a) he was the first European to sail directly from Europe to India
(b) he opened up a new trade route between Europe and Asia
(c) he led to the Portuguese colonization of India
(d) all of the above