An important result of Vasco da Gama's expedition. What is Vasco da Gama famous for?

One of the most famous navigators, who was from Portugal, and the discoverer of the route from Europe to India, is Vasco da Gama, with whom every schoolchild is familiar thanks to geography lessons. As the commander of three expeditions, he was able to make many discoveries, defending the honor of his ships on the waters in front of pirates and other ill-wishers. For his achievements he was awarded numerous awards and titles.

Origin and childhood

The future navigator was born in 1460. In the short biography of Vasco da Gama, you can also find another version, which states that the traveler was born in 1469. His father was a Portuguese knight and member of the Order of Santiago (Estevan da Gama), and his mother was a housewife (Isabel Sodre). Sir Estevan's duties included overseeing the execution of orders in the city entrusted to him. Vasco was the third child in the family and was friends with his older brothers, one of whom (Paulo) also took part in swimming.

Although the da Gama family was not the richest and most noble in the kingdom, it became famous for its famous ancestors who were close to the royal families during the Renaissance. For example, Alvar Annish, who was the great-grandfather of the future conqueror of India, served King Afonso III, was a glorious fighter and knight. This title was inherited by his descendants.

From childhood, da Gama was interested in geography and sea travel. While studying at school, he became interested in the basics of navigation. This hobby became the impetus for further discoveries, and the skills were useful in drawing maps.

Young years and first successes

At the age of 20, da Gama, along with his brothers, joined the Order of Santiago. Available sources contain little information about the traveler's education. Scientists suggest that he received mathematical, navigational and astronomical knowledge in Évora, and one of his teachers was Abraham Zacuto.

While still a young man, he took an active part in naval battles. Of course, opening the route to India is not the only achievement of the great navigator. For the first time, as a military man and conqueror of the seas, he succeeded in 1492. It is difficult to overestimate what Vasco da Gama did for his country at that time. He managed to capture French ships, which took possession of a Portuguese caravel carrying large quantities of jewelry and gold from Guinea. It was then that in Portugal, for the first time, the name of the discoverer of the sea route to India began to sound on the lips of local residents.

Predecessors of the discoverer

During the Renaissance, Portugal experienced difficult times. New sea routes that would have helped develop trade relations with other states did not open because the country was exhausted by the Reconquista and the war with Castile. A variety of spices, precious metals and stones had to be purchased at exorbitant prices, and the country's economy suffered because of this.

Thanks to its convenient geographical location, Portuguese sailors were still able to open new trade routes on the shores of Africa. The first attempts were made by Henry the Navigator, who had to explore all the coastal territories of the Black Continent, from where various provisions and labor were subsequently brought. Despite the creation of many African strongholds, the researchers failed to reach the equator.

Another wave of interest in expeditions to the southern coasts arose in 1470. Then a theory was created about achieving the coveted India with its riches. According to travelers, this could be done by circumnavigating Africa. The main achievement of that time belonged to Bartolomeo Dias, who discovered the Cape of Good Hope.

Preparing for travel to India

The first preparations for the expedition began in 1945, when Manuel I became the ruler of Portugal. Preparations consisted of building ships that could circumnavigate the entire African continent. As a result, four strong ships were built:

• Flagship "San Gabriel". Gonçalo Alvares took command.
• The ship with three masts "San Rafael", captained by Paulo da Gama.
• Light maneuverable caravel "Berriu" under the command of Nicolau Coelho.
• Ship for transporting supplies. Gonçalo Nunisha was appointed commander.

The team was complete and had detailed maps, clear navigation coordinates and modern (for that time) instruments at its disposal. The chief navigator of the expedition was Peru Alenquer, who accompanied Bartolomeo Dias on his journey to the Cape of Good Hope. The crew also included translators. The holds of the ships were filled with various products (cereals, corned beef, vegetables, dried fruits, cheese, etc.) and drinks; the sailors caught fish during the trip.

Since sailors often had to deal with pirates and enemy fleets, the crew had at their disposal powerful halberds, crossbows, blades, pikes and other weapons, as well as protective suits.

First voyage to India

The Portuguese Armada sailed from the shores of Lisbon on July 8, 1497. Vasco da Gama’s journey to India can be described endlessly, because the ships had to go through many trials on the way to their goal. The chronology of events can be summarized briefly:

The envoys of the Portuguese king were received without special honors; it was very difficult to conduct a dialogue with the Indians. Vasco da Gama tried to negotiate trade relations and even presented gifts to the overseas ruler. The disillusioned navigator forcibly took some of the Indian jewels, provisions, slaves and fishermen.

The crew, which suffered heavy losses, returned to Portugal in September 1499. Some sources say that the opening date of the sea route to India falls in August. Many sailors suffered from various diseases, two ships were broken and burned during the voyage, but the total cost of goods brought from India met all expectations. The amount from their sale exceeded the cost of the expedition 60 times.

Second and third expedition

After returning from his first voyage, the discoverer was awarded the title "Don" and received a pension from the king in the amount of 1 thousand cruzada. The navigator turned out to be an ambitious and ambitious person, so he achieved the title of “Admiral of the Indian Ocean” and patronage over the city of Sines, for which he was deprived of the status of a knight of the Order of Santiago.

Soon preparations began for the second voyage to the shores of India. During this time, a trade agreement was concluded between the states, allowing for the establishment of a trading post on Indian lands. Friendly relations gave way to real war, because the expedition led by Pedro Cabral ended with the shelling of Calicut. The purpose of Vasco da Gama's second voyage (1502−1503) was to deliver even more provisions and jewelry, as well as to subjugate the country.

Legends were made about the cruelty of the navigator. The contents of many books and captain's diaries mentioned that, on the orders of da Gama, Arab ships and Indian cities were fired upon indiscriminately. This is what he did to Calicut in retaliation for the attack on the Portuguese. The ships were loaded with various spices and other provisions, and several artillery ships were left off the coast of India to blockade local cities.

The second expedition was officially declared completed in 1503. The king increased the traveler's salary and pension for his services to the country, but did not reward the ambitious sailor with a new title. In subsequent years, the navigator was developing plans aimed at colonizing India, for example, creating a special police force on the water and establishing the post of viceroy.

In 1519, the discoverer of the sea route from Europe to India received the title of count and land grants into your possession. After some time, the Portuguese ruler João III appoints the traveler as viceroy for his incorruptibility and severity. The third expedition led by the conqueror of India took place in 1524.

Traveler's personal life and family

After returning from the first expedition, da Gama married Katarina Li Athaidi. The couple had seven children:

The male line of the noble family ended in 1747, when the title of count was transferred to the women of the da Gama family.

In museums you can find many portraits of the conqueror of India, allowing you to find out what the discoverer of the sea route to India was like. Respect for the memory of the navigator is read in many statues, monuments, books, and films. A striking example of this is:

While in the Indian city of Kochi, the great navigator Vasco da Gama, the first European to reach the shores of India, died. His life was cut short on December 24, 1524. The cause of death of the traveler was malaria. The researcher’s body was brought to Portugal only in 1529; now the remains are in the tomb of the Jeronimos monastery.

Attention, TODAY only!

It is unknown whether the Portuguese would have opened the sea route to India at the end of the 15th century if the king himself had not been interested in this discovery, and it had not entailed significant political and material changes in the country’s position in the world. After all, no matter how skillful and fearless the sailors were, without support (primarily financial) in the person of the king, such large-scale expeditions had little chance of success.

So why was the sea route to India needed?

It must be said that it was simply necessary for Portugal at that time to get to distant, but so alluring India with its riches, by sea. Due to its geographical location, this European country was outside the main trade routes of the 15th century, and therefore could not fully participate in world trade. The Portuguese did not have many of their own products that could be put up for sale, and all sorts of valuable goods from the East (spices, etc.) had to be purchased very expensively. The country was weakened financially by the Reconquista and wars with Castile.

However, the location of Portugal on the geographical map of the world certainly provided it with great advantages in exploring the western coasts of Africa and still gave hope of opening a sea route to the “land of spices.” This idea began to be implemented by the Portuguese Prince Enrique, who became known in the world as Henry the Navigator (he was the uncle of King Afonso V of Portugal). Despite the fact that the prince himself never went to sea (it is believed that he suffered from seasickness), he became the ideological inspirer of sea voyages to the African shores.

The most interesting thing for you!

Gradually, the Portuguese moved further south and brought more and more slaves and gold from the coast of Guinea. On the one hand, Infante Enrique was the initiator of expeditions to the East, attracted astronomers, mathematicians, developed an entire program for the fleet, and at the same time, all his actions were subordinated to selfish considerations - to get more gold and slaves, to take a more significant position among the nobility. Such was the time: virtue and vice mixed into an unraveling tangle...

After the death of Henry the Navigator, sea expeditions stopped for some time. Moreover, despite numerous attempts, the sailors equipped by Enrique did not even reach the equator. But soon the situation changed. In the late 80s of the 15th century, a Portuguese officer who reached India by land confirmed that the “land of spices” could be reached by sea. And at the same time, Bartolomeu Dias discovered the Cape of Good Hope: he managed to go around the African continent and left the Atlantic Ocean to the Indian Ocean.

Thus, the assumptions of ancient scientists that Africa is a continent stretching to the South Pole were finally shattered. By the way, perhaps Bartolomeu Dias could have been credited with opening the sea route to India, but his sailors, after entering the waters of the Indian Ocean, flatly refused to sail further, so he was forced to return to Lisbon. Dias later helped Vasco da Gama in organizing his expeditions.

Why Vasco da Gama?

Today, we cannot reliably know why Vasco da Gama was chosen to lead the expedition to the East, because not much information about this significant journey has been preserved in history. All researchers of the chronicles of that period agree that for an event of this magnitude, there are surprisingly few records of the preparation of the expedition.

Most likely, the choice fell on Vasco because, in addition to his excellent navigational knowledge and experience, he also had the “right” character. Read more about the biography of Vasco da Gama. He knew human nature well, knew how to deal with the ship's crew, and could tame mutinous sailors (which he demonstrated more than once). In addition, the head of the expedition had to be able to behave at court and communicate with foreigners, both civilized and barbarians.

Da Gama combined all these qualities: he was an excellent sailor - careful, skillful and dexterous, he was fluent in the navigational science of that time, at the same time he knew how to behave at court, to be obliging and persistent at the same time. At the same time, he was not particularly sentimental and tender - he was quite capable of capturing slaves, taking loot by force, conquering new lands - which was the main goal of the Portuguese expedition to the East. Chronicles note that the da Gama family was known not only for its courage, but also for its self-will and tendency to quarrel.

How Vasco da Gama's expedition was prepared

The expedition to India was to take place immediately after receiving encouraging information that would confirm the existence of a sea route to India. But the death of the son of King João II postponed this event for several years: the king was so sad that he was not able to carry out such large-scale projects. And only after the death of João II and the accession of King Manuel I to the throne, the court again actively started talking about opening a sea route to the East.

Everything was prepared in the most careful way. Under the leadership of Bartolomeu Dias, who visited the waters near Africa, 4 ships were rebuilt: the flagship "San Gabriel", "San Rafael", commanded by Vasco da Gama's brother Paulo, the caravel "Berriu" and another transport ship. The expedition was equipped with the latest maps and navigation instruments.

Among other things, according to established custom, three stone padran pillars were prepared and loaded on board to indicate the ownership of the newly discovered or conquered lands of Portugal. By order of Manuel I, these padrans were named "San Rafael", "San Gaboteal" and "Santa Maria".

In addition to the sailors, an astronomer, a scribe, a priest, translators who spoke Arabic and native languages, and even a dozen criminals who were taken specifically to carry out the most dangerous assignments took part in this expedition. In total, at least 100 people went on the expedition (according to the estimates of individual historians - from 140 to 170).

A three-year voyage required considerable supplies of food. The main food product was crackers; to dry them, by order of Manuel I, special ovens were installed in the port. The holds were loaded to capacity with cheese, corned beef, dried and salted fish, water, wine and vinegar, olive oil, as well as rice, lentils and other beans, flour, onions, garlic, sugar, honey, prunes and almonds. Gunpowder, stone and lead balls, and weapons were taken in abundance. For each ship, three changes of sails and ropes were provided for several years of sailing.

It should be noted that the cheapest things were taken as gifts to African and Indian rulers: beads made of glass and tin, wide striped pants and bright scarlet hats, honey and sugar... no gold or silver. Such gifts were more intended for savages. And this will not go unnoticed later. All ships were superbly equipped with artillery (from 12 to 20 guns on each ship), the personnel were also armed - edged weapons, halberds, crossbows. Before going to sea, solemn services were held in churches and all participants in the long voyage were absolved of their sins in advance. During this voyage, Vasco da Gama will more than once show his best qualities: cruelty, often senseless, greed, but he already had an indulgence in advance.

The king's farewell to the expedition

Don Manuel's solemn farewell to da Gama and his officers took place in Montemor novo, one of the oldest cities in Portugal, 18 miles east of Lisbon. Everything was furnished with truly royal pomp and grandeur.

The king made a speech in which he expressed the hope that his subjects would do everything possible and impossible to accomplish this godly deed, because expanding the lands and possessions of Portugal, as well as increasing its wealth, is the best service to the country. In his response speech, Vasco da Gama thanked the king for the high honor given to him, and took an oath to serve his king and country until his last breath.

First voyage to India (1497-1499)

On July 8, 1497, four ships of Vasco da Gama solemnly left Lisbon. The first months of the expedition passed quite calmly. The Portuguese did not stop at the Canary Islands, so as not to reveal the purpose of their journey to the Spaniards, they replenished supplies of fresh water and provisions on the Cape Verde Islands (then these were the possessions of Portugal).

The next landing was on November 4, 1497 at St. Helena Bay. However, here the sailors had a conflict with the local population; the Portuguese did not suffer large losses, but da Gama was wounded in the leg. At the end of November, the ships reached the Cape of Good Hope, which this time behaved like the Cape of Storms (its first name).

The storms were so strong that almost all the sailors demanded that the captain return to his homeland. But before their eyes, the sailor threw all the quadrants and navigation instruments into the sea as a sign that there was no way back. Although historians agree that, probably, not all, but almost all. Most likely, the captain still had spare instruments.

So, having rounded the southern tip of Africa, the flotilla made a forced stop in Mossel Bay. The transport ship carrying supplies was so badly damaged that it was decided to unload it and burn it. In addition, some of the sailors died of scurvy, and there were not enough people to service even the remaining three ships.

On December 16, 1497, the expedition left behind the last padran pillar of Bartolomeu Dias. Next, their path lay along the eastern coast of Africa. The waters of the Indian Ocean, which Vasco entered, had been the maritime trade routes of Arab countries for centuries, and the Portuguese pioneer had a hard time. So in Mozambique, he received an invitation to the Sultan’s chambers, but the European goods did not impress the local traders.

The Portuguese made a negative impression on the Sultan, and the flotilla was forced to hastily retreat. Insulted, Vasco da Gama gave the order to fire several salvos from cannons at coastal villages. A little later, in the port city of Mombasa, where the expedition ships entered at the end of February, an Arab ship was captured and plundered by the Portuguese, and 30 crew members were taken prisoner.

They were greeted more hospitably in Malindi. Here, after a long search, Da Gama was able to hire an experienced pilot who knew the route to India, as he understood that they would have to cross the previously unknown Indian Ocean. It is worth dwelling on the personality of this pilot in more detail. Ibn Majid Ahmad (full name Ahmad ibn Majid ibn Muhammad al-Saadi of Najd, approximate years of life 1421-1500) was an Arab sailor originally from Oman, pilot, geographer and writer of the 15th century. He came from a family of navigators; his grandfather and father sailed ships in the Indian Ocean.

When the elderly sailor and his sailor with dignity boarded the San Gabriel, Vasco da Gama could barely contain his excitement, peering into the Arab's inscrutable face, trying to understand how much he understood about navigation. This is understandable; the fate of the entire expedition depended on this man.

Vasco da Gama demonstrated an astrolabe and a sextant to Ahmad ibn Majid, but these instruments did not make the proper impression on him. The Arab only glanced at them and replied that Arab navigators use other instruments, took them out and gave them to Da Gama to look at. In addition, a detailed and accurate Arabic map of the entire Indian coast with parallels and meridians was laid out in front of Vasco.

After this communication, the leader of the Portuguese expedition had no doubt that he had acquired great value in this pilot. The Arabs and Turks themselves called Ahmad ibn Majid “the lion of the sea,” while the Portuguese gave him the nickname Malemo Kana, which means “an expert in maritime affairs and astronomy.”

On April 24, 1498, an Arab pilot led Portuguese ships out of Malinda and headed northeast. He knew that fair monsoon winds were blowing here at this time. The pilot brilliantly led the flotilla, cutting through the western part of the Indian Ocean almost through the very middle. And on May 20, 1498, all three Portuguese ships moored at the Indian city of Calicut (today Kozhikode).

Despite the fact that the Calicut ruler met the Portuguese more than hospitably - they were greeted by a parade of more than three thousand soldiers, and Vasco da Gama himself was granted an audience with the ruler, his stay in the East could not be called successful. The Arab traders who served at the court considered the gifts from the Portuguese unworthy, and da Gama himself reminded them more of a pirate than an ambassador of a European kingdom.

And although the Portuguese were allowed to trade, their goods did poorly on the local market. In addition, disagreements arose regarding the payment of duties, which the Indian side insisted on. Seeing no point in staying any longer, Vasco gave the order to sail from Calicut, and at the same time took twenty fishermen with him.

Return to Portugal

The Portuguese were not limited to trading operations. On the way back they plundered several merchant ships. They themselves were also attacked by pirates. The ruler of Goa tried to lure the squadron by cunning in order to use the ships in his military campaigns against his neighbors. Plus, during the three months that the journey to the coast of Africa lasted, the heat was unbearable, and the crew was very sick. In such a deplorable state, on January 2, 1499, the flotilla approached the city of Magadisho. Gama did not dare to anchor and go ashore - the crew was too small and exhausted - but in order to “make his presence known” he ordered the city to be shelled from the ship’s guns.

On January 7, the sailors dropped anchor in the port of Malindi, where several days of rest, good food and fresh fruit allowed the crew to recover and gain strength again. But still, the crew losses were so great that one of the ships had to be burned. On March 20 we passed the Cape of Good Hope. On April 16, Vasco da Gama sent one ship forward from the Cape Verde Islands, and on July 10, the King of Portugal received the news that the sea route to India had been established. Vasco da Gama himself set foot on his native soil only at the end of August - beginning of September 1499. He was delayed on the way by the illness and death of his brother Paulo.

Out of 4 ships and 170 sailors, only 2 ships and 55 people returned! However, if you look at the financial component, the first Portuguese naval expedition to India was very successful - the goods brought were sold for an amount 60 times higher than the cost of its equipment!

Second voyage to India (1502-1503)

After Vasco da Gama paved the sea route to India, the King of Portugal equipped another expedition to the “land of spices” under the leadership of Pedro Alvares Cabral. But sailing to India was now only half the battle; it was necessary to establish trade relations with local rulers. This is precisely what Senor Cabral failed to do: the Portuguese quarreled with the Arab merchants, and the cooperation that had begun in Calicut gave way to hostility. As a result, the Portuguese trading post was simply burned, and the ships of Pedro Cabral, sailing from the Indian shores, fired at the coast of Calicut from their onboard guns.

It became clear that the fastest and most “direct” way to settle in India was to show the military power of Portugal. A more suitable leader for such an expedition than Vasco da Gama, perhaps, could not be found. And in 1502, King Manuel I puts an experienced and uncompromising sailor at the head of the squadron. A total of 20 ships set sail, of which 10 were subordinate to the “Admiral of the Indian Sea”, five were sent to obstruct Arab merchant ships, and another five, led, by the way, by the Admiral’s nephew, Estevan da Gama, were supposed to guard the Portuguese trading posts in India .

In this voyage, Vasco da Gama proved that no one else could have coped with this task better. Along the way, he founded forts and trading posts on the southern African coast - in Sofala and Mozambique, and imposed tribute on the Arab emir of the city of Kilwa. And in order to show the seriousness of his intentions to the Arab merchants, da Gama ordered to burn the Arab ship, on board of which there were only pilgrims. This happened off the coast of Malabar.

In the city of Kannanur, the expedition was greeted kindly, and the ships were well loaded with spices. And then it was the turn of the city of Calicut. The Zamorin (ruler) of the city apologized for the burning of the trading post during Da Gama's previous visit and promised to compensate for the losses, but the inexorable admiral captured all the Indian ships in the port and literally turned the city into ruins with artillery fire.

Indian hostages were hanged on the masts of Portuguese ships, and severed parts of the prisoners' arms and legs and heads were sent to the Zamorin. To intimidate. Two days after the new shelling of the city, the Zamorin left Calicut. The mission was accomplished. Meanwhile, Vasco da Gama went to the city of Cochin, where he loaded the ships with spices and herbs, and began to prepare for the return journey.

The Zamorin, having assembled a flotilla with the help of Arab merchants, tried to resist the Portuguese, but the artillery on board the European ships decided the outcome of the battle - the light Arab ships retreated under the fire of the bombardier. So, in October 1503, Vasco da Gama returned to his homeland with great success.

Third voyage to India (1503-1524)

The period between the second and third voyages was perhaps the calmest in the life of Vasco da Gama. He lived in contentment and prosperity, together with his family, enjoying honors and privileges at the royal court. King Manuel I took his recommendations into account when developing plans for the further colonization of India. In particular, the Admiral of the Indian Sea insisted on the creation of a maritime police force off the coast of the Portuguese possessions in the “land of spices.” His proposal was implemented.

Also, on the advice of Vasco da Gama, in 1505, by decree of the king, the position of Viceroy of India was introduced. This post was held at different times by Francisco d'Almeida and Affonso d'Albuquerque. Their policy was simple and straightforward - Portuguese power in the Indian colonies and in the Indian Ocean was imposed “by fire and sword.” However, with the death of Albuquerica in 1515, no worthy successor was found. And King Juan III, despite the advanced (especially for those times) age of Vasco da Gama - he was already 55 years old by that time - decided to appoint him to the post of Viceroy of India.

Thus, in April 1515, the famous navigator set off on his last voyage. His two sons Estevan and Paulo also left with him. The flotilla consisted of 15 ships, accommodating 3,000 people. There is a legend that when the ships crossed 17° north latitude near the city of Dabul, they fell into the zone of an underwater earthquake. The crews of the ships were in superstitious horror, and only the imperturbable and ambitious admiral remained calm, commenting on the natural phenomenon as follows: “Even the sea trembles before us!”

The first thing he did upon his arrival in Goa, the main stronghold of Portugal in the Indian Ocean, Vasco da Gama most decisively began to restore order: he suspended the sale of guns to the Arabs, removed embezzlers from their posts, imposed fines in favor of the Portuguese authorities and took other repressive measures to no one had any doubt who was the owner of these lands. But the viceroy did not have time to fully implement all his plans - he suddenly fell ill. And on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1524, Vasco da Gama died in the city of Cochin. In 1539, his ashes were transported to Lisbon.

Name: Vasco da Gama

State: Portugal

Scope of activity: Traveler

Greatest Achievement: Opened a trade sea route from Europe to India

She gave the world many people - pioneers, brave men, who were not afraid to challenge nature itself in pursuit of new lands and glory. Many found their demise in the depths of the ocean, some were a little more “lucky” - they died on land at the hands of local tribes. But still, the names of travelers who wrote their name in the history and geography of countries have reached us. One of them is the famous traveler Vasco da Gama. This is exactly what this article will be about.

Biography of Vasco Da Gama

The future navigator was born into a noble family in 1460 in Sines, Portugal. There were five sons in the family, Vasco was the third. His father held the position of alkaid - in those days this meant the position of commandant of the fortress.

Very little is known about his early years. As a young man, he joined the navy, where he received his first knowledge of mathematics, navigation and orienteering. From a young age, he had the opportunity to participate in naval battles, and not against anyone, but the French corsairs themselves. Vasco showed his best side, and people started talking about him. In 1495, King Manuel took the throne and the country returned to where it started - finding a route to India. And this task was one of the most important - after all, Portugal was located away from trade routes, so it was necessary to somehow declare itself. An important breakthrough was achieved in 1487 when he circumnavigated southern Africa. This journey was significant; it proved for the first time that the Atlantic and Indian oceans are connected. It was necessary to send the expedition again. And young Da Gama was perfectly suited for these purposes.

Travels of Vasco da Gama

Historians know little about why da Gama, a still inexperienced explorer, was chosen to lead an expedition to India in 1497 to find a sea route to India and the East. To travel, da Gama sent his four ships south, taking advantage of the prevailing winds along the African coast. After several months of sailing, he rounded the Cape of Good Hope and began his journey up the east coast of Africa, to the uncharted waters of the Indian Ocean. By January, as the fleet approached what is now known as Mozambique, many of the crew were sick with scurvy. Da Gama was forced to interrupt the journey to rest the crew and repair the ships.

After a month of forced downtime, the ships set off again, and by April they reached Kenya. Then the Portuguese reached Calcutta through the Indian Ocean. Da Gama was not familiar with the region, did not know the customs and traditions of the local residents - he was sure that they were Christians, just like the Portuguese. None of the Europeans knew about such a religion as Hinduism.

However, the local ruler initially welcomed da Gama and his men, and the crew rested in Calcutta for three months. But not everyone welcomed the new arrivals - Muslim traders were among the first to show hostility to the Portuguese, because they had taken away their ability to trade and sell goods. In the end, Da Gama and his team were forced to haggle on the embankment to ensure enough goods to return home. In August 1498, Da Gama and his men took to the sea again, beginning their journey back to Portugal. The return journey was fraught with difficulties - gusty winds, downpours and rains prevented fast sailing. By early 1499, several crew members had died of scurvy. The first ship did not reach Portugal until July 10, almost a year after they left India. The results were dramatic - da Gama's first voyage covered almost 24,000 miles over almost two years, and only 54 of the 170 crew members survived.

When da Gama returned to Lisbon, he was greeted as a hero. The Portuguese were in high spirits, and it was decided to reassemble the expedition to consolidate da Gama’s success. Another group of ships is sent, led by Pedro Alvares Cabral. The crew reached India in just six months, and the journey included a shootout with traders, where Cabral's crew killed 600 people on Muslim cargo ships. But there were also benefits from this voyage - Cabral created the first Portuguese trading post in India.

In 1502, Vasco da Gama led another voyage to India, the fleet already consisted of 20 ships. Ten ships were under his direct command, and the rest were at the helm of his uncle and nephew. Following Cabral's success and the battles, the king tasked da Gama with ensuring continued Portuguese dominance in the region. Having devastated and plundered the African coast, from there they moved to the city of Cochin, south of Calcutta, where da Gama entered into an alliance with the local ruler and stayed to rest. The travelers returned to Portugal only on October 11, 1503.

Last years of life

Married at this time and the father of six sons, Da Gama decided not to tempt fate and retired.

He maintained contact with King Manuel, advising him on Indian matters, for which he was given the title of Count of Vidigueira in 1519.

After the death of King Manuel, da Gama was asked to return to India to fight the growing corruption by Portuguese officials in the country. In 1524, King Joan III appointed da Gama as Portuguese viceroy in India.

But Vasco was no longer interested in India as much as he had once made his discovery, opened a sea route to this country for Portugal, consolidating his dominance there.

However, he obeyed the king’s order and went to India to fulfill the order. But, unfortunately, he did not last long - on December 24, 1524, the sailing legend died of malaria in Cochin. His body was sent back to Portugal and buried there in 1538.

GAMA Vasco yes
(Da Gama, Vasco)

(1460-1524), Portuguese navigator who discovered the sea route from Western Europe to India. Little is known about Vasco da Gama's childhood and youth. He was born in Sines, educated in Évora, and studied the art of navigation. After the discovery of the Cape of Good Hope by Bartolomeu Dias in 1488 and receiving a message from Peru di Covillama that he had reached India by land, King John II ordered the construction of ships and sent them to search for a sea route to India, but died in 1495. His successor Manuel I in the first years of his reign, he sought to strengthen his position in order to implement João’s plans. In 1497 he ordered an expedition led by Vasco da Gama. The flotilla consisted of the flagship "San Gabriel", the ship "San Rafael" (whose captain was Vasco da Gama's brother Paulo) and two smaller ships.

Collier's Encyclopedia. - Open Society. 2000 .

See what "GAMA Vasco da" is in other dictionaries:

- (1469 1524) Portuguese navigator, vice king of the New Lands. In 1497 99 sailed from Portugal to India, completing many years of searching for a sea route from Europe to the countries of South Asia (in the Indian Ocean, partly with the help of Arabic... Historical Dictionary

- (Gama) (1469 1524), Portuguese navigator. In 1497, 99 sailed from Lisbon to India, circumnavigating Africa, and back, pioneering the sea route from Europe to southern Asia. In 1502 03 and 1524 he made 2 more voyages to India. * * * GAMA Vasco… Encyclopedic Dictionary

Gama (da Gama), Vasco da Gama (1469, Sines, Portugal, 12/24/1524, Cochin, India), Portuguese navigator who completed the search for a sea route from Europe to India. By the time of G.’s expedition, the Portuguese had already completed the sea route along... ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia

Gama, Vasco yes- GAMA (Gama) Vasco da (1469 1524), Portuguese navigator, vice king of the New Lands. In 1497, 99 sailed from Portugal to India, completing many years of searching for a sea route from Europe to the countries of South Asia (in the Indian Ocean, partly with... ... Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary

Gama, Vasco yes- (1469 1524) outstanding Portuguese. navigator, discoverer of the south. sea ​​route from Europe to India around Africa. The discovery of this route was the result of the Portuguese. expedition under the command of G., which set off on July 8, 1497 from Lisbon. IN… … The medieval world in terms, names and titles

Gama, Vasco yes- GA/MA Vasco da (1469 1524) Portuguese navigator, admiral (1502), count (1519). In 1497 1499 sailed from Lisbon to India around Africa and back, pioneering the sea route from Europe to South Asia. In 1502-1503 and 1524… …

- ... Wikipedia

- ... Wikipedia

Da Gama Vasco- (da Gama, Vasco) (approx. 1469 1524), por tug. navigator and conquistador, the first European to discover the sea. way to India. In 1497, the King of Portugal ordered to verify the discovery of the “Big Ocean” made by B. Dias to the east of the Cape of Good Hope. D.G.... ... World history

Gama- Gama, Vasco yes... Marine Biographical Dictionary

Books

• In search of Christians and spices. The Epic Voyages of Vasco da Gama and the Clash of Civilizations, Cliff N.. Cliff, Nigel “In Search of Christians and Spices. The epic voyages of Vasco da Gama. Clash of Civilizations". . Cliff, Nigel “Holy War. How Vasco da Gama's Epic Voyages Turned the Tide in a…

The Age of Discovery forever changed the course of world history. Thanks to brave sailors, the West discovered new countries and continents, geographical objects, and socio-economic relations, trade, and science developed. One of these travelers who left their mark on history was the Portuguese Vasco da Gama.

Early life

Vasco da Gama was born in 1460 in the family of the Portuguese knight Estevan da Gana. Having received a decent education in the holy Order of Santiago, from an early age Vasco began to take an active part in naval battles.

Possessing a decisive and unbridled disposition, the young man succeeded so well in this that in 1492, by order of the king, he led an operation to capture French ships that had illegally taken possession of a Portuguese caravel loaded with gold.

Rice. 1. Vasco da Gama.

Thanks to his desperately bold and, most importantly, successful foray, the young navigator gained royal favor and great popularity at court. This was the first step on the path of Vasco da Gama, who dreamed of fame and wealth.

Main goal - India

In the Middle Ages, Portugal was located far from the main trade routes, and all valuable oriental goods - spices, fabrics, gold and gems - had to be purchased from resellers at exorbitant prices. The country, exhausted by endless wars with Castile, could not afford such expenses. Finding a sea route to India became the most important task for Portugal.

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However, the geographical location of the state was such that while searching for a convenient route to India, Portuguese sailors were able to make many important discoveries. They believed that they could reach the coveted country by circumnavigating Africa.

The Portuguese discovered the islands of Principe and Sao Tome, most of the southern coast along the equator, and the Cape of Good Hope. It has been proven that the sultry continent does not reach the pole, and there is every chance of finding the cherished route to India.

Rice. 2. Cape of Good Hope.

Maiden voyage

King Manuel I of Portugal was well aware of how important it was to establish direct communication with India as quickly as possible. For the new sea expedition, four well-equipped maneuverable vessels were built. The command of the flagship San Gabriel was entrusted to Vasco da Gama.

Rich supplies of provisions, generous salaries for all crew members, the presence of a variety of weapons - all this testified to the most careful preparation for the upcoming journey, which started in 1497.

The Portuguese Armada headed for the Cape of Good Hope, rounding which the sailors planned to quickly reach the Indian coast.

Throughout the journey, the journey presented them with many unpleasant surprises: surprise attacks on water and on land, severe weather conditions, scurvy, ship breakdowns. But, despite all the difficulties, Vasco da Gama's expedition first reached the shores of India on May 20, 1498.

Rice. 3. Trade with Indians.

The great loss of life and the loss of two ships of the armada were more than compensated for by successful trade with the Indians. The first experience turned out to be very successful - income from the sale of exotic goods brought from India was 60 times higher than the cost of the sea voyage.

Second voyage

The organization of the next expedition to the Indian coast turned out to be a necessary measure to suppress the unrest caused by the Indians. The aborigines not only burned the Portuguese trading settlement - a trading post, but also drove all European traders out of their state.

This time the armada consisted of 20 ships, whose tasks included not only solving “Indian” problems, but also interfering with Arab trade and protecting Portuguese trading posts.

A well-armed flotilla under the command of Vasco da Gama took to the high seas in 1502. He showed himself to be a cruel and merciless punisher, and all Indian resistance was broken at the root. Returning a year later to his native Lisbon with impressive booty, the navigator received the title of count, an increased pension and rich land.

Third voyage

After the death of King Manuel I, the Portuguese throne went to his son João III. The heir noticed that profits from trade with India had become significantly less. To solve this problem, the new ruler appointed Vasco da Gama as the fifth viceroy of India, and ordered him to go to his possessions and find out all the circumstances.

The famous navigator went to India for the third time in 1524. Arriving at the place, he dealt with all the guilty parties in his characteristic cruel manner.

During the return journey, Vasco da Gama felt unwell. Painful abscesses on the neck turned out to be symptoms of malaria, which killed the famous sailor. He died on December 24, 1524, without ever seeing his native shores.

Vasco da Gama's body was buried in a monastery located on the outskirts of Lisbon. Later, a city in Goa was named after him.

What have we learned?

While studying the report on the topic “Vasco da Gama,” we learned briefly about the discovery of India by Vasco da Gama. We found out how important it was for Portugal to find a direct route to India. And what Vasco da Gama discovered in geography played a huge role in the development of the economy of his native country, strengthening its status as a strong maritime power on the world stage. We also learned interesting facts about three sea expeditions carried out by the great navigator.

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