Vasco Da Gama- The story of his expedition

Biography

Name :
Vasco Da Gama

Age :
28( as of 1497)

Gender :
Male

Native Country:
Portugal

Year Of Birth :
1469

Place Of Birth :
SInes,Altenjo,Portugal

Date of death:
24 December 1524

Location of death:
Cochin,India

Cause of death:
Unspecified illness

Burial:
Ridigueira,Portugal

Religion:
Roman Catholic

Occupation :
Expeditioner,Trader,Navigator

Achievements :
Found sea route to India, traded,

Date of death:
24 December 1524
Location of death:
Cochin,India
Cause of death:
Unspecified illness
Burial:
Ridigueira,Portugal
Religion:
Roman Catholic
Father:
Esterao Da Gama
Mother:
Isabel Sodr
Brother:
Paulo Da Gama
Wife:
Caterina Da Ataide
Children:
6 children

Zafirah♥Sofia♥Rukhsana♥ was here at 10:00 PM .

* Did You Know;
Currently, Vasco da Gama's Route to India has taken shape as the latest major intercontinental submarine cable project--a massive 28,000km system that follows do Gama's path and stretches all the way from Europe around Africa to Asia!Vasco Da Gama grew in a well known family.His father was the Governer of Sines, where Vasco was Born.Vasco had an Elder Brother - Paulo Da Gama

Zafirah♥Sofia♥Rukhsana♥ was here at 9:48 PM .

Obejctives

-Find a route from Portugal to India.

-Negotiate a trading deal with the ruler of India.

-Gain profit in trade

Zafirah♥Sofia♥Rukhsana♥ was here at 9:46 PM .

Before the Journey

King Manuel l of Portugal
commissioned Vasco's Father to make a voyage to the East, to find Christians.

He,Unfortunately, died shortly before the Voyage.

So, Second In line,Vasco Da Gama was chosen after King Manuel l saw his capability of of protecting Portuguese trading stations along the African Gold Coast from depredations by the French.

Journey Started - 8th July 1497 ; Four Ships left for the East.

Vasco was given command to a carrack of 178 tons, length 27 m, width 8.5 m, draft 2.3 m, sails of 372 m², 150 crew ship- São Gabriel

Paulo, Vasco's Elder Brother was given to command a ship with similar dimensions to that of São Gabriel

Another little known Portuguese explorer, Nicolau Coelho commanded the third ship, caravel Berrio
which was much smaller than the first two

The fourth Ship,meant for Storage,was lost later at the Gulf of São Brás, along the east coast of Africa.The ship was commanded by Goncalo Nunes

(the name of the ship is not known)

At Least, 5 months later, The fleet had reached near the White River,
South Africa

for a better view, click on the picture

St Helena was made a stopover for Vasco Da Gama and the Crew.
Here, the coast was sheltered from strong winds, making an ideal place for stopping over.
They remained there for 8 days cleaning ships, mending their sails and taking in wood for another long journey.
Here they did Trade
The natives gave them wool, clothes and seal meat to eat.

So after some 8 days, they left the shore and continued their journey
they next place they came across was,near the GREAT FISH RIVER; an area they named Natal (which is potuguese for christmas )as they pass the coast around December 16.

Then,came Mozambique, where fearing a hostile crowd, Vasco impersonated a muslim as it was an Arab controlled Territory. With utterly worthless trade goods to offer, the local poulation saw through his impersonation of him and his men. This made Gama and his men depart from the habour - and fired cannons into the city for 'Pay Back'.

Subsequently, they arrived at Mombassa, where they looted Arabian Merchant ships usually unarmed trading vessels.The Portuguese wre the first European natives to visit the port of mombasa where due to hostility from the populace,the fleet departed again -continuing to travel North for a better trading port.

In Febuary of 1498, they reached the coastal shores of Malindi

Their leaders were in conflict with those of Mombasa. The expedition led to evidence of indian Traders.

Here, they met an Arab navigator and cartographer - who would later bring the fleet to Calicut (Southwest Coast of India) with his knownledge of Moonson Winds inthe region. His name is thought to be Ibn Majidwho who might have been 60 around that time.

in Calicut at that time, the main market for trade was precious stones,nes,pearls, and spices.

pearls, and spices.
With the help of Ibn Majidwho, the fleet reached Calicut on the 20th May 1498
There were some violent neogtiations with the ruler, Wyatt Enourato,(angelized as Zamorin) ensued in the teeth of resistance from Arab merchants.

envetually, vasco got a letter of concession of his trading rights but sailed without giving notice of his intention to do so after Zamorin insisted vasco to leave all his goods there as warrant.
Vasco Da gama did so but left a few Portuguese ,ordering them, to start a trading post.\

Destination - Calicut was met

On the return journey, Paulo Da Gama died. By September 1499 and was richly rewardedas the man who had brought accomplishment to a plan that had taken eighty years to fulfill.
He was nicknamed the 'Admiral of the Indian Ocean' and was given the feudal rights of Sines.
King, Manuel l also awarded dignityof Dom (lord) to Gama, his brothers and sisters and to all of their descendants, forever.

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the trade of spice contributed alot to portugal's economy. There were other benefits too.For example, Gama's voyage had made it clear that the farther (East) coast of Africa, the Contra Costa, was essential to Portuguese interests: its ports provided fresh water and provisions, timber and harbors for repairs and a refuge where ships could to wait out unfavorable seasons such as storms or tropical winds,etc. This also to let a later colonization of mozambique by a Portuguese Crown

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(click on the pic for a better view)

The journey was completed and the sea route had dismissed the rumours of a separate indian sea & put a new milestone into geographical history.

Zafirah♥Sofia♥Rukhsana♥ was here at 7:28 AM .

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My Diary Entries

PAGE 2

8th July 1497
I had high hopes that we would find the sea route to India and I did not want to let father down. After all, he did not get the chance to begin the task that was given to him by the King Of Portugal, Joao II. As his son,I know that I must find that sea route for the King, even if my life is at risk.At least after much persuasion,my dear brother,Paulo, is accompanying me on this expedition.

We left Portugal for India today.4 ships were built especially for this expedition: São Gabriel which I am commanding. São Rafael,Paulo commanded.The caravel Berrio which was commanded by Nicolau Coelho.And finally a storage ship which was commanded by Goncalo Nunes.

170 men are coming on this expedition and most of them are ex-convicts.We're probably going to sacrifice Christmas for this journey, but wish us luck Lord. We have set a journey for more people like us and hope to gain more than that.

3rd Aug 1497
We sailed with Bartolomeu Dias passing the Canary Islands on the way to Africa.We arrived at the island of Santiago in the archipelago of Cape Verde to rest.Bartolomeu Dias then parted with us as he was heading to the Portuguese trading post of Elmina in West Africa.He saluted us and wished us good luck by firing a canon into the sky.
We had resumes our journey today with us sailing South and then Southwest.We purposely sailed from the African coastline,making a big arc,in order to avoid unfavourable winds. I sincerely hope that by sailing along this route,we would reach Africa faster.

7th Nov 1497
After about 3 months of sickness,foul water,terrible storms and miles of open sea,we finally returned to land.We found the land to be low, with a broad bay opening into it.So,we sent Pero D’ Alenquer in a boat to explore the surroundings and to find good anchoring ground.
He reported to us that the bay was very clean and it sheltered us against all winds except those from the North West.It extended from the East and West.Hence,we named it St.Helenas.

8th Nov 1497

We anchored at the spot which Pero described to us as good anchoring ground.We will most probably be staying here for a week,cleaning the ships,mending the sails and taking in the wood.
We are staying near the river Santiagua which enters the bay four leagues o the South East of the anchorage.I measured the height of the sun with my astrolabe and discovered that we are quite near the Cape Of Good Hope.

9th Nov 1497

We explored the country and found that the inhabitants are tawny-coloured.The dogs and birds are similar to those in Portugal. The climate is healthy and temperate and produces good herbage.
Today,I held captive of one of the natives who had been collecting honey.We took him aboard the St.Gabriel and we dined with him.He ate all we ate and the next day,I dressed him well and sent him to shore.

10th Nov 1497

We had unexpected visit from the natives of St.Helenas when fifteen natives came to our where our ship is. They had no knowledge of merchandises sich as cinnamon,seed-peans,gold etc because they were very excited when they saw our merchandises.It came as no surprise to us as they did not have a variety of goods to trade.Hence,we gave them round bells and tin rings.Im sure that they are familiar with that!

12th Nov 1497

What a pleasant surprise we had today.About forty natives made their appearance near my ships and so we dined with them. We exchanged our ‡eitils which we were provided with for shells which the natives wore as ornaments in their ears.I also exchanged 1‡eitils for one of the sheathswhich they wore over their members and they wore copper beads in their ears which goes to show that copper was valued very highly.

I gave permission to Fernao Velloso who wanted to accompany the natives to their houses so that he may find out how they lived and what they ate.I returned to my ship to sup and Fernao went with the negroes.After some time,I heard his shouts and I knew he was in trouble.Four sailors and I rushed to his aid.However,the negroes managed to throw their assegais and wounded me and the others.We returned to the ships with Fernao and I treated my wounds.At least the injury wasn’t serious.
19th Nov 1497
We have already careened our ships and taken in wood three days ago when we were at St.Helenas Bay.During the past few days,we have been trying to round the Cape Of Good Hope but to no avail.Eevery night,we returned to the land to rest.I pray that the winds will be favourable tomorrow because because I really do want to reach India as soon as possible.
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HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

PORTUGAL
Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic (Portuguese: República Portuguesa) is located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula, and is the western most country of mainland Europe. Portugal is bordered by Spain to the north and east and by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south. The Atlantic archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira are also part of Portugal. During the 15th and 16th centuries, with its global empire, it was one of the world's major economic, political, and cultural powers. Portugal is a developed country, member of the European Union (since 1986) and the United Nations (since 1955); as well as a founding member of the Eurozone, OECD, NATO, and CPLP (Comunidade dos Países de Língua Portuguesa — Community of Portuguese Language Countries).

AFRICA

The Republic Of South Africa is a country located at the southern tip of the African continent. It borders Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland, and Lesotho, an independent enclave surrounded by South African territory. South Africa is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, and is widely regarded as the most socially and economically developed country on the continent. South Africa contains some of the oldest and most beautiful archaeological sites in Africa. Remains of fossils in Sterkfontein, Kromdraai and Makapansgat caves suggest that these cave men existed over three million years ago.In Africa,there used to be many slaves,

CALICUT

The coasts of Malabar(of Calicut) have participated in Indian Trades of Spices ,jewellery, Silk like black pepper and cardamom with the Jews, Arabs, Phoenicians, Chinese , Dutch and Portuguese more than 500 years ago.
There even have been visits made by Zhang He. There have been signs of Trade from early 14th century. As Kozhikode offered full freedom & security, the Arab & the Chinese merchants preferred it to all other ports.
By the 16th century, Portuguese sent by Vasco Da Gama, set up a trading post. But the king, known as Zamorin, resisted the establishment of a permanent Portuguese trading post but eventually, the kingdom had to accept it. The Portuguese there, were later murdered.
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Golden Age

Portugal

During Portugal's golden age, the 15th and 16th centuries, the small Portuguese nation built an overseas empire that stretched halfway around the globe. Prince Henry the Navigator (1394–1460) laid the foundations of the empire. Among the leaders in overseas exploration were Bartholomeu Dias (1450–1500), the first European to round the Cape of Good Hope; Vasco da Gama (1469–1524), who reached India and founded Portuguese India in 1498; and Pedro Alvares Cabral (1460–1526), who took possession of Brazil for Portugal in 1500. Ferdinand Magellan (Fernão de Magalhães, 1480–1521) led a Spanish expedition, the survivors of which were the first to sail around the world, although Magellan himself was killed after reaching the Philippines. Afonso de Albuquerque (1453–1515) was foremost among the builders of Portugal's Far Eastern empire

LITERATURE OF PORTUGAL

Portuguese literature has developed since the 12th century from the lyrical works of João Soares de Paiva and Paio Soares de Taveirós. They wrote mostly from Portuguese oral traditions known as "cantigas de amor e amigo" and "cantigas de escárnio e maldizer" which were sung by troubadours.
Following chroniclers such as Fernão Lopes after the 14th century, fiction has its roots in chronicles and histories with theatre following Gil Vicente, whose works was critical of the society of his time.
Classical lyrical texts include Os Lusíadas, by Luís de Camões with other authors including Antero de Quental, Almeida Garrett and Camilo Pessanha.
Portuguese modernism is found in the works of Fernando Pessoa.
Following the Carnation Revolution the Portuguese people, after several decades of repression, had freedom of speech.
José Saramago received the Nobel Prize for Literature.

ART OF PORTUGAL

Portuguese art was very restricted in the early years of nationality, during the reconquista, to a few paintings in churches, convents and palaces
It was after the 15th century, with national borders established and with the discoveries, that Portuguese art expanded. Some kings, like John I already had royal painters. It is during this century that Gothic art was replaced by a more humanistic and Italian-like art. During the Golden Age of Portugal, in the late 15th century and early 16th century, Portuguese artists were influenced by Flemish art, and were in turn influential on Flemish artists of the same period. During this period, Portuguese art became internationally well known, mostly because of its very original and diverse characteristics, but little is known about the artists of this time due to the medieval culture that considered painters to be artisans. The anonymous artists in the Portuguese "escolas" produced art not only for metropolitan Portugal but also for its colonies, namely Malacca or Goa and even Africa, gratifying the desires of local aristocratic clients and religious clients.
In the 19th century naturalist and realist painters like Columbano, Henrique Pousão and Silva Porto revitalized painting against a decadent academic art.
In the early 20th century Portuguese art increased both in quality and quantity, mainly due to members of the Modernist movement like Amadeo de Souza Cardoso and Almada Negreiros. In the post-war years the abstractionist painter Vieira da Silva settled in Paris and gained widespread recognition, as did his contemporary Paula Rego.

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GEOGRAPHY

GEOGRAPHY OF PORTUGAL

Portugal is a coastal nation in southwestern Europe. Its mainland is located on the Iberian Peninsula and borders only one nation — Spain, to the east and north — with a total of 1,214km of borders. Despite this total of km for the border with Spain, Portugal does not recognize the border from the delta of the River Caia to the delta of the River Cuncos since 1801's occupation of the Olivença territory by the Spanish Kingdom. This territory, though under Spanish occupation remains part of Portugal and no border is henceforth recognized in this area. It is bordered on the west with a 1,793km coastline along the North Atlantic Ocean. Portugal also controls the Atlantic islands of Azores and Madeira Islands, which are strategic locations along western sea approaches to the Strait of Gibraltar between the Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea. In total, the country has an area of 92,391 km² of which 91,951 km² is land and 440km² water.

GEOGRAPHY OF INDIA

The geography of India is diverse, with landscape ranging from snow-capped mountain ranges to deserts, plains, rainforests, hills, and plateaus. India comprises most of the Indian subcontinent situated on the Indian Plate, the northerly portion of the Indo-Australian Plate. Having a coastline of over 7,000 kilometers (4,350 mi), most of India lies on a peninsula in Southern Asia that protrudes into the Indian Ocean. India is bounded in the southwest by the Arabian Sea and in the east and southeast by the Bay of Bengal. India is bordered by Pakistan and Afghanistan to the northwest. China, Bhutan and Nepal to the north, Myanmar to the east and Bangladesh to the east of West Bengal. Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Indonesia are island nations to the south of India. Sri Lanka is separated from India by a narrow channel of sea formed by Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar. Politically, India is divided into 28 states, and seven federally administered union territories.

GEOGRAPHY OF AFRICA

Africa is a continent comprised of 61 political territories (including 53 countries), representing the largest of the three great southward projections from the main mass of Earth's surface. It includes, within its remarkably regular outline, an area of 30,368,609 km² (11,725,385 mi²), including adjacent islands.
Separated from Europe by the Mediterranean Sea and from much of Asia by the Red Sea, Africa is joined to Asia at its northeast extremity by the Isthmus of Suez (which is transected by the Suez Canal), 130 km (80 miles) wide. For geopolitical purposes, the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt – east of the Suez Canal – is often considered part of Africa. From the most northerly point, Ras ben Sakka in Tunisia, in 37°21′ N, to the most southerly point, Cape Agulhas in South Africa, 34°51′15″ S, is a distance approximately of 8,000 km (5,000 miles); from Cape Verde, 17°33′22″ W, the westernmost point, to Ras Hafun in Somalia, 51°27′52″ E, the most easterly projection, is a distance (approximately) of 7,400 km (4,600 miles). The length of coastline is 26,000 km (16,100 miles) and the absence of deep indentations of the shore is shown by the fact that Europe, which covers only 10,400,000 km² (4,010,000 square miles), has a coastline of 32,000 km (19,800 miles).
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PLACE OF INTEREST

UNIQUE PLACE OF INTEREST IN PORTUGAL

The Mafra National Palace is a monumental Baroque and Italianized Neoclassical palace-monastery located in Mafra, Portugal. Its dimensions are so huge that it dwarfs the city.
The palace, which also served as a Franciscan monastery, was built during the reign of King John V (1707-1750), in consequence of a vow made by the king in 1711, who promised to build a convent if his wife, the Queen Mary Anne of Austria, gave him descendants. The birth of his first daughter, the princess Barbara of Braganza, made the king initiate the construction of the palace.
This vast complex is among the most sumptuous Baroque buildings in Portugal. The palace was built symmetrically from a central axis, occupied by the basilica, and continues lengthwise through the main façade until two major towers. The structures of the convent are located behind the main façade. The building also includes a major library, with about 40,000 rare books.
The trip is worth taking because you will be able to interact with people from different countries like India.And you will be able to experience and learn about their different and unique cultures like what food they eat,what are their traditional clothings etc.
You can also trade with these different countries and benefit by getting goods that you do not have in your own country.If the geographical location of the state or country is excellent like if its in the middle of a trade route, you can take advantage of that by establishing your own trade post there.
Although there will be locals who will be hostile towards you and the terrain of the route maybe rough,the trip is worthwhile because you will meet friendly people and places you may have never visited before in your life.

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