Journey of Vasco da Gama

Vasco da Gama (born September 3, 1469 - death December 23, 1524), Portuguese navigator, first laid a route from Lisbon to India and back. Like most of his colleagues, he was engaged in piracy. Count Vidigueira (since 1519), Governor of Portuguese India, Viceroy of India (since 1524).

Origin

The famous Vasco da Gama, who radically changed the political and economic situation in Europe and Asia with his sea voyages, was born in 1469 in the small seaside town of Sines in the southernmost Portuguese province of Alemtejo. The Gama clan could not boast of either wealth or nobility, but it was old enough to serve the kings of Portugal from generation to generation. Among Vasco's ancestors were valiant warriors and even the royal standard-bearer. His father, Ishtevan da Gama, was the alcaidi (mayor) of Sines. And her mother, Isabella Sudre, had English earls among her ancestors. Vasco was their third son, he had two older brothers and a sister.

Childhood and youth

Despite the noble origin, the children of Gam closely communicated with the common people. The comrades of their games were the sons of fishermen and sailors. Vasco and his brothers learned early to swim, row, and knew how to handle fishing nets and sails. But in Sines it was impossible to get good education, therefore Vasco was sent to study in Evora, the favorite residence of the king. Here he studied mathematics and the intricacies of navigation.

We know that in his youth the future discoverer of the sea route to India took part in the siege of the Moroccan city of Tangier. There is an assumption that he made several sea expeditions along the African coast. Perhaps this is what made the royal court pay attention to him. Maybe there were other reasons. Be that as it may, Vasco was in the service of Juan II and was able to quickly advance.

According to the chronicle, even in his youth, the young man was distinguished by a firm, resolute character, a fair amount of temper and imperious habits.

Before traveling to India

The Portuguese and Spaniards are peoples related in language and culture. Portugal constantly competed with Spain in everything related to the discovery and development of new lands and sea routes. When at one time King Juan II refused, who offered to organize an expedition to search for a western route to Asia, he apparently could not imagine that this persistent Genoese could achieve his goal under the flag of the Spanish kings. But now the "Western India" is open, routes have been laid to its shores, and Spanish caravels systematically ply between Europe and the new lands. The heirs of Juan II realized that they should hurry to consolidate their rights to East India. And already in 1497 they equipped an expedition to explore the sea route from Portugal to India - around Africa.

First trip to India (1497-1499)

The head of the expedition, at the choice of King Manuel I, was Vasco da Gama (the Portuguese pronounce “Vashka”), a young courtier of noble origin, who has not yet proven himself by anything other than the dashing capture of a caravan of French merchant ships. And although the king was offered the candidacy of such a famous navigator as Bartolomeu Dias, who in 1488 was the first to circumnavigate Africa from the south, passing the Cape of Good Hope he discovered, he gave preference to a young aristocrat with pirate inclinations. To the proposal of Manuel I to lead the expedition, Vasco da Gama replied: “I, sovereign, are your servant and will fulfill any order, even if it costs me my life.” Such assurances at that time were by no means given for the “red word” ...

Departure of Vasco da Gama to India

Vasco da Gama's flotilla consisted of four ships. These were two 150-ton ships - the flagship "San Gabriel" (captain Goncalo Aleares, an experienced sailor) and "San Rafael" (captain Paulo da Gama, brother of the admiral), as well as a light 70-ton caravel "Berriu" (Captain Nicolau Cuelho) and a transport ship with supplies. In total, under the command of Admiral da Gama there were 168 people, including a dozen criminals specially released from prisons - they could be needed to carry out the most dangerous assignments. The chief navigator was the experienced sailor Pedro Alenquer, who had sailed with Bartolomeu Dias ten years earlier.

1497, July 8 - the flotilla left the harbor of Lisbon. Having passed without incident to Sierra Leone, Admiral da Gama, reasonably avoiding contrary winds and currents off the coast of the Equatorial and South Africa, headed southwest, and after the equator turned southeast. These maneuvers took about 4 months, and only on November 1, the Portuguese saw land in the east, and after 3 days they entered a wide bay, which they called St. Helena.

Having landed on the shore, the Portuguese sailors saw the Bushmen for the first time. This is a group of peoples, which is ancient population South and East Africa. The Bushmen differ to a large extent from most of the Negro tribes of the African continent - they are undersized, their skin color is rather swarthy than black, and there is some resemblance to the Mongoloids in their faces. These inhabitants of the bush bushes (hence the European name "Bushmen" - "people of the bush") have amazing abilities. They can stay in the desert for a long time without water supplies, as they extract it in ways unknown to other peoples.

Travelers tried to establish a “cultural exchange” with the Bushmen, offering them beads, bells and other trinkets, but the Bushmen turned out to be “insolvent” - they did not even have the most primitive clothes, and the Portuguese, who were armed with crossbows, did not need their primitive bows and arrows and firearms. In addition, because of the insult inflicted on the Bushman by some boorish sailor, there arose conflict situation, as a result of which several sailors were injured by stones and arrows. How many "bush people" the Europeans hit with crossbows remained unknown. And because no signs of gold and pearls were noticed among the Bushmen, the flotilla raised anchors and went further south.

Having rounded the southern tip of Africa, the Portuguese ships, moving to the northeast, at the end of December 1497 approached a high coast, to which da Gama gave the name Natal (“Christmas”). 1498, January 11 - the sailors landed on the shore, where they saw a lot of people who were very different from the African savages they knew. Among the sailors there was a translator from the Bantu language, and contact between two different civilizations was established. The Negroes met the Portuguese sailors very friendly. The land that Vasco da Gama called "the country good people”, inhabited by peasants and artisans. People here cultivated the land and mined ore, from which they smelted iron and non-ferrous metals, made iron knives and daggers, arrowheads and spearheads, copper bracelets, necklaces and other jewelry.

Moving further north, on January 25, the ships entered a wide bay, where several rivers flowed. Communicating with local residents, who received the Portuguese well, and noticing the presence of objects of clearly Indian origin, the admiral concluded that the flotilla was approaching India. I happened to stay there - the ships needed repairs, and people, many of whom had scurvy, needed treatment and rest. The Portuguese for a whole month stood at the mouth of the Kwakwa River, which turned out to be the northern arm of the Zambezi Delta.

Mozambique and Mombasa

Vasco da Gama in India

In the end, the flotilla, completely ready for sailing, headed northeast and on March 2 reached the island of Mozambique. Here the lands of the "wild" tribes ended and the rich world began, which was controlled by the Arab Muslims. Until the arrival of the Portuguese, all trade in the Indian Ocean was concentrated in their hands. To communicate with the Arabs, remarkable diplomatic skills were needed, which Gama, alas, did not possess. It was from that moment that his ardor, lack of tact and prudence, senseless cruelty began to appear.

At first, the sheikh and the people of Mozambique were tolerant of the Portuguese sailors. They mistook them for Muslims, but were dissatisfied with the gifts that Vasco tried to give to the sheikh who arrived on the ship. It was rubbish that no one needed, and the eastern rulers were accustomed to a different attitude. It soon became known that people from ships unusual for Arabs were Christians. Tensions mounted, and on March 11 the Portuguese were attacked. The attack was repelled, but the team, which had been significantly reduced after the scurvy epidemic, did not have the strength for a decisive battle. I had to hastily leave the inhospitable shore.

On April 7, the Portuguese arrived in Mombasa, but soon, without entering the harbor, they were forced to leave it too, having learned about the intention of the Mombasa king to seize ships and take the crew prisoner (information was obtained from hostages who were tortured with boiling oil). Eight miles from the harbor, the enraged Portuguese captured a barge loaded with gold, silver and provisions.

Malindi

On April 14, the fleet approached Malinda, a wealthy Muslim city. The local sheikh was at enmity with the ruler of Mozambique and was glad to make an alliance with Gama. In response to signs of attention from the ruler, the Portuguese sent him a truly “royal gift”: a monastic cassock, two strings of corals, three hats, basins for washing hands, bells and two pieces of cheap striped cloth. In another situation, the sheikh, perhaps, would not have tolerated such disrespect, but now he was afraid of uninvited guests and agreed to give a skilled pilot, who was needed for further sailing. They became Ahmed ibn Majida, who bore the Arabic-Sanskrit nickname Malemo Kana - "leading by the stars." With his help, in mid-May 1498, the expedition reached the Malabar coast. The ships anchored near the largest Indian city of Calicut (Kozhikode). The long-awaited sea route to India was explored.

Calicut (India)

The local ruler, Samorin, who was interested in the development of trade with any countries, including Christian ones, received the envoy of Gama cordially. But Gama's further behavior heated up the situation.

On May 28, the commander of the Portuguese, accompanied by 30 people, went on a date with Samorin. The Portuguese were struck by the luxurious furnishings of the palace, the expensive clothes of the king and courtiers. Nevertheless, Vasco, not feeling the difference between the tribal leaders of Africa and the Samorin, was about to present him miserable gifts: 12 pieces of the same striped coarse fabric, several caps and hats, 4 threads of coral, basins for washing hands, a box of sugar, two each barrel of butter and honey.

Seeing this, one of the royal dignitaries laughed contemptuously and declared that even poor merchants present more expensive gifts to the Samorin. The king must be presented with gold, but he simply will not accept such objects. The incident that happened quickly became known both in the palace and in the city. This was immediately taken advantage of by Muslim merchants, who saw the Portuguese as dangerous competitors. They set the already offended Samorin against the guests, convincing him that cruel, bloody pirates had arrived in Calicut, fortunately, they had already heard rumors about the events in Mozambique and the capture of an Arab ship.

The next day, the ruler kept the delegation in the waiting room for several hours, and when they met, he behaved coldly. As a result, Gama failed to obtain permission to establish a Portuguese trading post here. With difficulty, the Portuguese were able to exchange goods for spices. And on October 5, sailors, having taken six hostages to show them to their king, left Indian waters.

Homecoming

Opening of the sea route to India

By the already familiar route, by September 1499, they were able to reach their native port, having lost two ships and 105 out of 160 crew members. Among the dead was the only person dearly loved by Vasco, his brother Paulo. He died of consumption. The hero of the Indian voyage took this loss extremely hard. Some of the historians report that for 9 days he grieved all alone and did not want to see anyone.

Unfortunately, many of the documents covering the events after Gama's arrival in Portugal perished during the terrible Lisbon earthquake of 1755. However, there can be no doubt that both the king and fellow citizens met travelers with great honor and rejoicing. In honor of the epoch-making event, a gold coin was minted, called the "Portuguese", worth 10 crusades.

Vasco da Gama suddenly became national hero, and well deserved. It was thanks to his will, energy and assertiveness that the expedition was able to complete all the tasks assigned to it and return back. The team loved, but also terrified of the frantic and cruel leader. His furrowed brows threw the sailors into a panic, whose actions he was unhappy with. But these were desperate people who spent their whole lives on sea voyages. The king showered the hero of the Indian campaign with awards. The city of Sines was transferred to his possession, and benefits were granted for trade with India. He and his descendants were given the title of don and a pension. He became officially called "Admiral indian ocean". However, the traveler himself, being greedy and greedy, remained dissatisfied.

Only a few facts are known about the period of Gama's life between the first and second trips. For example, the fact that at this time he married Donna Catarina di Ataidi. From this marriage he had six sons - Francisco, Ishtevan, Pedro, Paulo, Krishtovan, Alvarou - as well as a daughter, Isabella.

Second voyage to India (1502-1503)

The following year, the expedition of Pedro Alvaris Cabral set off along the same path. Several years passed, and King Manuel, not satisfied with the Indian expeditions of Cabral and João da Nova, decided to send a large fleet to India. Vasco da Gama was assigned to command them.

The fleet consisted of 10 ships. Another 10, part of 2 auxiliary fleets, was commanded by close relatives of the admiral. This time the expedition was completely different. Probably, the pirate experience near Mombasa was not in vain. By order of the king, it was necessary to take goods by force if they could not be obtained peacefully. Spices had to be paid for in gold and silver, which Portugal, like any other of European countries, in those days did not have enough for this. This was the beginning of the Portuguese colonial expansion.

During a pirate raid, the flotilla forced the rulers of Mozambique and Kilwa to pay tribute, burned and plundered merchant ships, destroyed the Arab fleet and the city of Calicut, forced the cities of the western Indian coast to recognize the supreme power of the Portuguese and pay tribute.

Among the particularly bloody atrocities of Gama is the capture of a Calicut ship, which had 380 passengers. Gama gave the order to lock them all in the hold and burned the ship along with the captives. When the ship caught fire, the unfortunate people were able to escape onto the deck. Men knocked down the flames with axes, and women with children in their arms begged to spare the kids and offered their gold jewelry. The admiral was unshakable. He ordered the ship to be boarded and set on fire again. Then the flagship, like a kite, followed the dying ship, not allowing anyone to escape, and Gama, with a stone face, watched the heartbreaking scenes taking place on board the victim ship.

No less horrifying were the events that unfolded when the fleet approached Calicut. Here, many fishing boats sailed up to the ships. The admiral ordered to seize about 30 fishermen. They were immediately hung on rails. The bodies were removed at night. They cut off the arms, legs and heads of the corpses, threw them into the boat, and threw the bodies overboard. Soon they were washed ashore. The terrible contents of the boat were dumped on the shore, and a note was attached to the heap on Arabic. It was written that an even more terrible fate would befall the entire city if it resisted. The admiral performed such actions not in a fit of anger, but with deliberate and cold cruelty.

The expedition brought huge profits. Vasco da Gama received the title of Count of Vidigueira, and in 1524 he was appointed Viceroy of India.

Third expedition to India and death (1524)

The new governor went to India at the head of a large squadron of 16 ships. In the completely conquered Cochin, Vasco da Gama founded the administrative center. But he did not have time to show his administrative abilities, because in the same year, on December 24, he died in Cochin. His body was taken to Portugal and buried with honor in Vidigueira.

Portugal highly appreciated the deeds of Vasco da Gama. 50 years after his death, the poet Luis de Camões sang them in the epic poem The Louisiades. In the literature of the 16th century, he is presented as a bold leader and fearless administrator. At a glance modern man, as historian J. Baker writes, “he was cruel and stubborn. He did not hesitate to douse the interrogated hostages with boiling oil; did not hesitate to throw three hundred dead and dying people with their wives and children into the open sea to the mercy of the elements; on his orders, disobedient Portuguese women were driven with rods through the streets of one of the Indian cities.

At the same time, he fraternally shared all the difficulties and hardships with the crew, and once during an earthquake, by a courageous appeal to his people, he prevented panic. If, as viceroy, he proved to be cruel, he struck both the Indians and the Portuguese by categorically refusing to accept any gifts and jealously making sure that he was respected.

The results of the main discovery of Vasco da Gama were enormous - both from a scientific, and from a political and economic point of view. Thanks to him, the outlines of Africa became finally known. Indian Ocean, previously considered inland sea, was transferred to the category of oceans.
Spices now began to enter Europe without intermediaries. The centuries-old dominance of the Arabs in trade in the Middle East ended. Venice and Genoa, which had flourished until that time, fell into decline. The transformation of Portugal into one of the main colonial powers of the 16th century began.

The first journey of Vasco da Gama: how the Europeans discovered India.

background

It has been a trading partner of Europe since ancient times. The most skillful gold jewelry, rich fabrics, precious stones, spices, unprecedented fruits - this is not a complete list of what Europe badly needed, or rather its rulers, kings, dukes, princes.

Historically, Arabs acted as intermediaries in trade with the East. Way in fairyland was well known to them, and after the emergence of Islam and numerous wars in Asia, India became part of the Muslim world.

For a millennium, all goods from the East came to Byzantium, which knew how to get along with its neighbors, and sometimes even put pressure on them. The heyday times have passed, and now the neighbors were already happy to put pressure on the decrepit and ever-decreasing empire.

With the advent of the Mongols, who did not see the point in trading with Europe, everything became even more complicated. The old caravan routes were empty, goods in old light got through many intermediaries, which, of course, did not reduce the price of Indian delights at all.

Europe itself was in dire need of gold, which was becoming catastrophically small. Only the cunning Venetians and Genoese managed to find a common language with the Muslims, who raised prices so much that goods from India became available only to royalty, and even then not from every royal house.

Start

For a long time it was the last country where oriental luxury was brought. All the "cream" has already been filmed in the North, in the south, in. Therefore, the Portuguese giants got something easier. It was impossible to put up with such a situation.

There is another circumstance that prompted the Portuguese monarchs to organize numerous expeditions to exotic countries. After the end of the reconquista (the reconquest of territory from Muslims in the Iberian Peninsula), numerous nobles who only knew how to fight created more and more problems in the kingdom. Feeding them all was expensive, constantly fighting with someone was even more expensive. This force and energy had to be directed and organized in some way. Dangerous journeys are a great option: if successful, the income will far exceed the costs, in case of failure, no one will cry much.

The interests of Lisbon were primarily directed to Africa, which promised both gold and slaves, and many other benefits. On the way to wealth, however, stood the Moors, expelled, but unconquered, who found shelter in the north of the Black Continent. But they can be bypassed. India has long been a dream. But her time has come.

Before Vasco da Gama, who opened the way to India, there were several attempts to discover a sea route to spices. Brave Portuguese sailors and captains have studied the western coast of Africa quite well. The most successful and courageous of them - Bartolomeu Dias - reached (named so later, as a reminder of the search for India). However, he was forced to return without reaching the goal. The sailors rebelled, and the officers were in favor of returning, frightened by the distance and length of the journey. History was waiting for Vasco da Gama, a truly strong man.

Training

The most experienced sailor in Portugal was ready to try again to reach India by sea. The king was of a different opinion. Assessing the experience and knowledge of Dias, the monarch sensibly reasoned that it was impractical to send such a person on a dangerous voyage. And just then a dispatch was received about the victory of the young captain da Gama, who went to fulfill the order of the king instead of his father and won the galley with gold from the French corsairs. The king's choice fell on him.

To help the not very experienced captain, the best officers, experienced sailors, several translators and a dozen convicts were allocated to carry out dangerous assignments - about 170 people in total. The preparation of the ships was personally handled by Dias, who knew a lot about this matter. He also instructed Vasco da Gama shared experiences and gave advice.

Forward!

In the summer of 1497, a fateful voyage began, opening the way for the Portuguese to the coveted India. Three warships and one transport. All ships are armed in the most serious way, even on the smallest ship there was a dozen powerful cannons, designed to help in the implementation of a grandiose plan. Total guns on ships - 52! Ahead was a path long in two years.

Deciding not to make the mistakes of his predecessors, he leads ships away from the coast of Africa. This saved the expedition from unnecessary meetings with the Moors, the local population and Spanish competitors. However, along the way, the Portuguese still managed to capture and plunder an Arab merchant ship. But this is so, the case.

Interestingly, on the way to southern Africa, Vasco da Gama almost discovered Brazil, which was still unknown to anyone. If the ships sailed a few miles to the west, Cabral, who discovered this land three years later, following the route of da Gama, would become only the second European to visit South America. It happened the way it happened.

Around Africa

Having replenished their water and food supplies on the Cape Verde Islands, the ships under the command of the ambitious and young traveler Vasco da Gama set off to the West to "catch" the necessary wind, so necessary in order to reach the difficult and impregnable southern cape.

Three months at sea in the best way influenced the team. When, finally, the ships landed on the shore, the sailors rushed to look for love adventures. The local tribes were not ready to endure the antics of some strange and aggressive people. Skirmishes began, as a result of which the squadron was forced to get out. And then a storm began, terrible and many days.

The Cape of Good Hope was crossed, but scurvy brought down the crew. The stop was necessary. The sailors no longer wanted adventure, so the local population accepted the strangers kindly. It was possible to replenish supplies of water and provisions, and it was also profitable to exchange ivory jewelry from the natives.

The sailors were dying of scurvy. Soon there were not enough people, it was decided to destroy the most affected ship. The team was redistributed to the remaining three.

Road to India

Once in the Indian Ocean, the Portuguese found themselves in waters unknown to Europeans. This is where convicts were needed. This practice has been used since time immemorial. When an unknown shore appeared before the sailors, criminals sentenced to death were landed on it. A few days later they swam ashore again. If the perpetrator was alive, then he managed to find mutual language with the local population - the team can land. If the unfortunate disappeared, then they simply sailed on. Such is the technique.

The unknown scared the team. Murmurs began in the courts. Many officers were also determined to return. But da Gama is not like that. He defiantly throws navigational instruments into the sea. Demonstrating by this that under no circumstances will he return without reaching the goal. Frightened by such fanaticism, the sailors fell silent.

In those days, the entire East coast of Africa was the domain of Arab merchants. They were respected people, they were willingly accepted by local rulers. Indian merchants also actively visited this place. All of them were competitors of the Portuguese, so rarely where they were waiting for a good reception.

The ruler of Mozambique received the Portuguese solemnly and beautifully. brought gifts from his king. This is where the hospitality ends. The ruler was offended by the "wretchedness" of the offerings. The Arab competitors of the Portuguese whispered all sorts of dirty tricks about the aliens. The team of Vasco da Gama was accused of piracy. I had to take my feet.

Next stop is Mombasa. There was also no contact. The offended traveler Vasco da Gama even captured a small ship with a crew and shelled the city.

It was fortunate that the ruler of the next port city, Malindi, was a sworn enemy of Mombasa. Here the Portuguese finally managed to get some rest, feed themselves, and cope with scurvy. The ruler was so kind that he helped find a pilot to India. Of course, not just like that, but in exchange for a promise to thoroughly beat up Mombasa with shelling on the way back.

In Wonderland

The Portuguese arrived in India (Calicut) at the end of May 1498. Here again a magnificent reception awaits them, then hostility from outside local authorities. Blame the "poverty" of gifts and the intrigues of competitors. But Vasco da Gama manages to achieve the main thing - the opening of a trading post.

Portuguese goods sold poorly. Arabs and Indians often argued about what duties the newcomers should pay. After three months in India, the squadron again went to sea.

The way home

This time he behaves like a real pirate: he captures a couple of dozen fishermen, robs the ships that he meets on the way. The Portuguese themselves have to fight off the pirates.

And again a little respite in Malindi. And again the sea. Now there are only two ships in the squadron. By the time of returning home in the team Vasco da Gama only 55 people remained, exhausted, exhausted. In the Anzors, da Gama leaves the grave of his brother, who served as his officer.

Outcome

On August 31, 1499, an emaciated, aged man stood in front of the King of Portugal, in whom it was difficult to recognize a young and ambitious officer from the old da Gama family. Next to him lay a golden idol weighing 30 kilograms. A huge scarlet ruby ​​sparkled on the chest of the idol. Two green emeralds were inserted into the eye sockets, sparkling avidly... India has been opened.

After the discovery of the "Western Indies" by the Spanish, the Portuguese had to hurry to secure their "rights" to the East Indies. In 1497, a squadron was equipped to reconnoiter the sea route from - around - to India.

On July 8, 1497, the flotilla under command left and passed, probably before. From there, Gama, on the advice of experienced sailors, in order to avoid contrary winds and currents off the coast of Equatorial and South Africa, moved southwest, and turned southeast beyond the equator. There is no more accurate data on the path of Gama in the Atlantic, and the assumption that he approached the coast is based on the routes of later navigators. After almost four months of navigation, on November 1, the Portuguese saw land in the east, and three days later they entered a wide bay, which was given the name of St. Helena (St. Helena), and opened the mouth of the Santiago River (now Great Berg). Rounding the southern tip of Africa, the ships anchored in the Shepherd's Harbor. The sailors behaved peacefully, opened a “silent bargain” and received a bull and ivory bracelets from the shepherds for red caps and bells.

By the end of December 1497, on the religious holiday of Christmas, the Portuguese ships heading to the northeast were approximately opposite the high bank called Gama Natal (“Christmas”), on January 11, 1498, the flotilla stopped at the mouth of a river. When the sailors landed, they were approached by a crowd of people, very different from those they met on the coast of Africa. The sailor, who used to live in the country and spoke the local Bantu language, delivered a speech to those who came up, and they understood him (all languages ​​of the Bantu family are similar). The country was densely populated by farmers who processed iron and non-ferrous metals: sailors saw iron arrowheads and spearheads, daggers, copper bracelets and other ornaments. They met the Portuguese very friendly, and Gama called this land the “Country of Good People”.

Moving north, on January 25, ships entered the estuary, where several rivers flowed. Residents here also received strangers well. Two chiefs appeared on the shore, wearing silk headdresses. They offered printed fabrics with patterns to sailors, and the African accompanying them said that he had already seen ships similar to Portuguese ones. His story and the presence of goods, undoubtedly of Asian origin, convinced Gama that he was approaching India. He called the estuary the "River of Good Omens" and placed a padran on the bank - a stone armorial pillar with inscriptions, which had been erected since the 80s. 15th century Portuguese on the African coast key points. From the west, the Kwakwa, the northern branch of the Zambezi delta, flows into the estuary.

For a month, the Portuguese stood at the mouth of the Kwakva, repairing ships. On February 24, the flotilla left the estuary, reached the port and then went north. A week later, the flotilla approached the port city of Mombasa. Leaving Mombasa, Gama detained an Arab dhow at sea, plundered it and captured 19 people. On 14 April she anchored in Malindi harbor. The local sheikh greeted Gama in a friendly way, as he himself was at enmity with Mombasa. He made an alliance with the Portuguese against a common enemy and gave them a reliable old pilot, Ibn Majid, who was supposed to lead them to Southwestern India. With him, the Portuguese left Malindi on April 24. Ibn Majid took a course to the northeast and, taking advantage of the favorable monsoon, brought the ships to India, the coast of which appeared on May 17. Seeing Indian land, Ibn Majid moved away from the dangerous coast and turned south. Three days later, a high headland appeared, probably Mount Delhi. Then the pilot approached the admiral with the words: "Here is the country to which you aspired." By the evening of May 20, 1498, the Portuguese ships, having advanced about 100 km to the south, stopped on the roadstead against the city of Calicut (now Kozhikode).

Gama's expedition was not unprofitable for the crown, despite the loss of two ships: in Calicut, they managed to acquire spices and jewelry in exchange for government goods and personal belongings of sailors, and Gama's pirate operations in the Arabian Sea brought considerable income. But, of course, this is not what caused the jubilation in Lisbon among the ruling circles. The expedition found out what enormous benefits direct maritime trade with proper economic, political and military organization of the business could bring for them. The opening of the sea route to India for Europeans was one of the greatest events in the history of world trade. From that moment until the digging of the Suez Canal (1869), the main commerce of Europe with countries and countries did not go through the Mediterranean, but through - past the Cape of Good Hope. Portugal, holding in its hands the "key to eastern navigation", became in the 16th century. the strongest maritime power, seized the monopoly of trade with and held it for 90 years - until the defeat of the Invincible Armada (1588).

The future great traveler Vasco da Gama was born in the Portuguese city of Sines. This happened around 1460, but the exact year of his birth is unknown.

His father was Estevan da Gama, commander of the fortress of Sines in the southwest of the country, and Vasco was the third son in a large family. The biography of Vasco da Gama is silent about his childhood, it is only known that in his younger years he went to the navy and learned to sail there. He became famous as a fearless and self-confident navigator.

In 1492, King John sent him to Lisbon and from there to the province of Algarve with orders to seize all French ships. This was retaliation for the capture of a Portuguese ship by the French.

In 1495, Manuel became the new king of Portugal, who was very interested in promoting trade in India. To do this, it was necessary to find a sea route there. At that time, Portugal was one of the most powerful maritime powers in Europe, competing with Spain and France for new lands.

Portugal owed these merits to Prince Henry the Navigator, who assembled a team of the best navigators, cartographers and geographers, and sent many ships to explore the western coast of Africa in order to increase the country's trade influence. His merits in the field of exploration of the African coasts are undeniable, but the eastern coast was still Terra Nova for European courts.

The breakthrough was made in 1487 by another daring Portuguese navigator, Bartolomeu Dias. He was the first European to circumnavigate Africa at the Cape of Good Hope and enter the Indian Ocean. Thus, it was proved that the Atlantic and Indian Oceans are connected to each other. This discovery spurred the desire of the Portuguese monarch to build a seafaring route to India. However, he had not only commercial plans: Manuel was eager to conquer Islamic countries and proclaim himself king of Jerusalem.

Historians are still wondering why the king sent Vasco da Gama on such an important journey, because at that time there were more experienced sailors in the country. Nevertheless, in 1497, four ships under the command of da Gama moved out of their native shores to carry out a responsible mission. He directed the ships due south, unlike Columbus, who kept trying to turn east. A few months later, the ships safely rounded the Cape of Good Hope and moved along the east coast of Africa.

In January, when the flotilla reached the shores of what is now Mozambique, half the crew was ill with scurvy. Da Gama was forced to anchor in these waters for a month to repair the ships and rest his men. Here the navigator tried to establish contact with the local sultan, but his gifts were rejected as too modest. In April, they reached Kenya and from there moved into the Indian Ocean. Twenty-three days later Calcutta appeared on the horizon.

Due to the fact that da Gama did not know this area well, at first he thought that Christians lived in India. Nevertheless, they spent three months in the country establishing trade relations. Muslim merchants, of whom there were a lot in India, did not at all want to share with Christians, therefore, in order not to provoke a conflict, the Portuguese were forced to trade only in the coastal part of the city.

In August 1498, the ships set off on their return journey. The time was chosen unfortunate, as it coincided with the rainy season. By the end of the year, several members of the team had died of scurvy. In order to somehow cut costs, yes Gama ordered one of the ships to be burned, distributing the remaining people among other ships. Almost a year later, they managed to return to Portugal. Of the 170 crew members, 54 survived. Vasco da Gama's discovery of the sea route to India made him a national hero.

The biography of Vasco da Gama includes another trip to India, in 1502, not so peaceful. King Manuel gave him command of 20 ships with orders to intimidate the Muslim population of Africa and strengthen Portuguese dominance there. To carry out his orders, da Gama led the bloodiest raid of the Age of Discovery, sailing up and down the east coast of Africa, attacking ports and Muslim ships. He also distinguished himself by burning to the ground a ship with several hundred pilgrims returning from Mecca, sparing neither women nor children. Having reached Calcutta, da Gama's army defeated the port and killed 38 hostages.

Vasco da Gama's travels were not peaceful, and until the end of his life he had a reputation as a harsh and incorruptible person.

Vasco da Gama is a Portuguese navigator. He became the first European to visit India. During his life, the traveler made several important discoveries, including thanks to his efforts, it was once again proved that the Earth has the shape of a ball.

The navigator was born in 1460 (according to some sources, 1469) in the seaside town of Sines, died on December 25, 1524. He had a bad temper. Compatriots considered Vasco a cruel and despotic person who completely lacked the skills of diplomacy. But this did not prevent him from becoming a great man, and some shortcomings even helped to achieve success. With all their negative qualities da Gama was extremely honest and incorruptible, he took care of his family and loved ones.

Traveler origin

Little is known about Vasco's mother. The name of the woman was Isabelle Sodre, she came from an ancient English family. One of my mother's ancestors was Frederick Sudley, who once accompanied Duke Edmund Langley. The father of the future navigator was Estevan da Gama, the chief judge of the city. At that time, he commanded a fortress, which was located in the southwest of Portugal.

In addition to Vasco, the family had five more sons and a daughter. Some research confirms that Vasco and his brother Paulo were born out of wedlock. Because of this, they were later tonsured monks. The sailor's ancestors were nobles by origin, one of them, Alvar Annish, served King Afonso III. He was knighted after one of the battles. Eshtevan was also fond of travelling, and it was he who was originally entrusted with the expedition.

According to the research of some scientists, Vasco was educated in Évora. He paid special attention to the study of navigation, astronomy and mathematics. Since almost all the knights of that time were naval officers, in his youth, da Gama went to the navy, where he learned how to operate a ship. People considered him a fearless sailor, confident in himself and his actions.

In 1480, the navigator became a member of the Order of Santiago. 12 years after that, he was one of the main commanders during the battle with the French corsairs. King Manuel I was delighted with the courage and ingenuity of the young man, therefore, without any hesitation, he entrusted him with an expedition to India to search for a new sea route. The best navigational equipment was prepared for the trip.

Maiden voyage

In 1497, the navigator set out from Lisbon on his first voyage to India. The expedition involved three ships and more than 170 people, sailing took place across Africa, past the Cape of Good Hope. When the team sailed to Mozambique, they were joined by the Arab Ahmad ibn Majida. Thanks to his tips, the expedition managed to shorten the path to the Hindustan peninsula.

Three months after the start of the expedition, the Portuguese stopped in the bay, later it was named after St. Helena. In December 1947 they reached what is now part of South Africa. Six months later, on May 20, 1948, the travelers arrived in Calicut. The local ruler appointed Vasco an audience. The sailor went to the zamorin with gifts, but they did not impress the merchants at court.

For some time, da Gama tried to set up a business in Calicut, but he did not succeed in achieving his goal. Therefore, soon the navigator decided to leave the town, taking with him 20 fishermen, as well as stocks of spices and spices.

The return from the first trip to India took place in September 1499. Many crew members did not live to see this moment, they were killed by scurvy. In Portugal, Vasco was rewarded, his compatriots considered him a hero. Da Gama was also appointed Don and Admiral of the Indian Ocean, and the king granted him a lifetime pension of 1,000 crusades. But the navigator dreamed of becoming a city lord. The title was obtained only after leaving the Order of Santiago, then the navigator joined the members of the rival Order of Christ. The lord did not stop there, he wanted to become a count.

Second visit to India

After returning from India, Vasco received fame, recognition and honors, but he was constantly not enough. At this time, he married Catarina di Ataida, during their life together they had six sons and a daughter.

Already in 1499, da Gama set sail again. This time he took 20 ships with him. During the journey, many Muslims were killed, Vasco did this only to confirm his power. The expedition returns in October 1503 with good news: Manuel I increases the sailor's pension, the da Gama family lives at the level of kings. But the title of count still seems unattainable to the traveler.

Other achievements

During his life, Vasco visited India three times. The last voyage was in 1502. The king set before the navigator the goal of strengthening the Portuguese government, as a result of which several hundred Muslims were destroyed. Da Gama burned several ships carrying pilgrims. In Calcutta, the army sacked the port and nearly 40 hostages were killed.

In 1519, the sailor was awarded the title of count. He managed to achieve this by blackmail. Vasco wrote a letter to the king stating that he was going to leave Portugal. Since the citizens could not afford to lose the navigator, Manuel I acted diplomatically, giving the traveler what he wanted.

Da Gama died on December 24, 1524 in Cochin, a small Indian town. He suddenly fell ill with an illness during the expedition, after which he died suddenly. His remains went to Portugal, where the navigator was buried in the small church of Quinta do Carmo. In 1880 Vasco's ashes were transferred to the Monastery of the Hieronymites, which is located in Lisbon.