Vasco Da Gama

Vasco da Gama was born in Portugal in 1469. Vasco de Gama is famous for his achievement of the first all water trade way between Europe and India. On July 8, 1497 he and his crew planned and equipped four ships. Da Gama set out from Lisbon, Portugal, rounded the Cape of Good Hope, and sailed north. Da Gama made various stops along the coast of Africa and from Malindi, he was accompanied the rest of the way to India by Indian Muslim's famous pilot. Vasco da Gama arrived in Calicut, India on May 20, 1498. The Portuguese goods that had been well accepted in Africa were not suitable for the Indian market. The Muslim merchants didn't want to trade with Portugals. On August 29, 1498, da Gama and his crew departed. In September of 1499 Vasco da Gama reached Lisbon. When he returned, he was rewarded with a great celebration. Da Gama was looked upon as a hero, and King awarded him with titles and a large income. On February 12, 1502 Vasco da Gama went out on his second expedition. He hoped to force his way into the market and to get revenge on the Muslims for the opposition in 1498. When da Gama arrived in Calicut on October 30, 1502 he told that he would have to send away all of the Muslims. Later da Gama bombarded the city with guns and forced his way into the trading system. This led the way for other Portuguese conquests in the East Indies. In February of 1503, da Gama returned home. During de Gama's final voyage to India, he got sick and died on December 24, 1524.