Vasco Da Gama

In school, during history lessons, we have been reading about famous explorers like Marco Polo, Vasco Da Gama, Christopher Columbus. Due to their explorations, discoveries, and adventures, we have come to know about how the world was in the past. For many people, history may have been boring, but without it, we would have a huge gap in our knowledge.

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Today India is well known all over the world due to its trades and architecture. Have you ever wondered how India started their trade with the Portuguese? Maybe you have read it in school textbooks but there is no harm in refreshing one's memory. Vasco Da Gama was a Portuguese nobleman, and he was the first European to locate a trading pathway to India via ocean.   Vasco Da Gama was born to a minor nobleman, under his command was the fortress at Sines, in southwestern Portugal. Very little is known about his youth. By the order of King John II, Da Gama was sent to Lisbon to seize French ships in retribution for the French attacking on Portuguese shipping interests.

Later on, he was chosen to lead a Portuguese fleet in India, to look for a pathway from Western Europe to the East by the way of the Cape of Good Hope. Da Gama started his voyage from Lisbon with 4 vessels and travelled along with the coast of Africa. With the aid of a provincial navigator, he was able to pass the Indian ocean and arrive at the coast of Calcutta, India.   Initially, Da Gama was welcomed with open arms by the people of Calcutta, but soon chaos rose when he offered their ruler a hoard of cheap goods as a welcome present. This dispute, and the antagonism from the Muslim traders, lead Da Gama to return to Portugal without forming a treaty.  

Under King Manuel’s rule, Da Gama was sent to another expedition of a different part of India. During the voyage, Da Gama’s fleet attacked Arab shipping interests in the same region, and forcefully made the Calcutta ruler reach an agreement. Due to this brutality that has been demonstrated, Da Gama has been slandered all over India. His arrival back to Portugal has been celebrated with elation due to his successful expedition.   For the next 20 years, Da Gama remained in Portugal acting as an advisor to the Portuguese ruler concerning Indian affairs.

Under King John III’s rule, Da Gama was sent back to India as a Portuguese viceroy to solve the sprouting corruption that has smeared the Portuguese government in India. During his visit, he suddenly fell ill and died soon after, his body was carried back to Portugal and buried there.   Travelers and expeditions from an early age has impacted greatly to the world as a know it and we need to know how it all came to be to gain knowledge. Knowing history allows us to understand the past, which as a result aids us to understand the present.  

Written by: Ramisha Rahman

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