Gama Vasco da (1469-1524), Portuguese navigator.

Not much is known about the fate of Vasco da Gama. Born in the small coastal town of Sines (Portugal).

In 1497, the Portuguese government sent him at the head of a flotilla of four ships in search of a sea route to India around Africa. To this coast, up to the Cape of Good Hope, the Portuguese (B. Dias and others) had already been explored, their ships also visited the eastern coast of Africa. The Portuguese court sought to establish a direct trade link with India as soon as possible - Columbus had already announced publicly the discovery of the "Indies" in the west, across the Atlantic Ocean.

The current carried da Gama's ships to the Columbus "Indies" (to Brazil). However, the traveler did not become interested in them, but returned to the intended route and thus became the discoverer of the sea route from Western Europe to genuine India. In 1498, da Gama's ships arrived in Malindi, the largest Arab-Swahili port in the Indian Ocean. Here the navigator hired the famous Arab traveler, unsurpassed authority in the science of that time, Ahmad ibn Majid. Thanks to him, on May 20, 1498, the Portuguese finally reached their goal, arriving at the port of Calicut (now Calcutta) on the western coast of India. However, da Gama had to work hard to convince the local ruler to start trading with foreigners.

On the voyage, the flotilla suffered significant losses - half of the ships died from storms, and more than half of the sailors died of illness. Nevertheless, in 1499 Vasco da Gama successfully returned to Lisbon. His

After the discovery of the “Western India” by the Spanish expeditions of Columbus, the Portuguese had to hurry in order to secure their “rights” to the East Indies. In 1497, a squadron was equipped to explore the sea route from Portugal - around Africa - to India. Suspicious Portuguese kings were wary of famous navigators. Therefore, the head of the new expedition was not Bartolomeu Dias, and a young courtier of noble origin who had not shown himself in anything before Vasco (Basco) da Gama, who, for unknown reasons, was chosen by the king Manuela I. At the disposal of Gama, he provided three ships: two heavy ships, 100–120 tons (i.e., 200–240 metric tons) each, the San Gabriel, on which Vasco raised the admiral's flag (captain Goncalo Alvaris, an experienced sailor), and "San Rafael", whose captain was appointed at the request of Vasco, his older brother Paulo da Gama, which also did not show itself in any way, and a light high-speed vessel "Berriu" of 50 tons (captain Nicolau Cuelho). In addition, a supply ship accompanied the flotilla. The chief navigator was an outstanding sailor Peru Alenquer, who previously sailed in the same position with B. Dias. The crew of all ships reached 140-170 people, this included 10-12 criminals: Gama begged them from the king to use them for dangerous assignments.

On July 8, 1497, the flotilla left Lisbon and probably passed as far as Sierra Leone. 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 of Brazil is based on the routes of later navigators, starting from Cabral. 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, 32 ° 40 "S), and opened the mouth of the Santiago River ( now Great Berg). Having landed on the shore, they saw two almost naked short men (Bushmen) with skin “the color of dry leaves”, smoking from the nests of wild bees. They managed to capture one. Gama ordered to feed and clothe him, gave him several strings of beads and bells and let go. The next day, a dozen and a half Bushmen came, with whom Gama did the same, two days later - about fifty. For trinkets they gave everything they had, but these things were of no value in the eyes of the Portuguese. When but the Bushmen were shown gold, pearls and spices, they did not show any interest in them and it was not evident from their gestures that they had such things. This "idyll" ended in a skirmish due to the fault of a sailor who somehow offended the Bushmen. Three or four Portuguese was and wounded by stones and arrows. Gama also used crossbows against the "enemies". It is not known how many natives were killed and wounded in the process. Rounding the southern tip of Africa, the Portuguese anchored in that "Harbor of the Shepherds" where Bartolomeu Dias killed the Hottentot. This time, 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 sailing to the northeast were at approximately 31 ° S. sh. against the high bank, which Gama called 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 of the Congo and spoke the local language of the Bantu, delivered a speech to those who came up, and they understood him (all the languages ​​of the Bantu family are similar). The country was densely populated by farmers who processed iron and non-ferrous metals: sailors saw iron tips on arrows and spears, daggers, copper bracelets and other jewelry. They met the Portuguese very friendly, and Gama called this land "the country of good people."

Moving north, on January 25, the vessels entered the estuary at 18 ° S. sh., where several rivers flowed. Residents here also received strangers well. Two chiefs appeared on the shore, wearing silk headdresses. They imposed printed fabrics with patterns on the sailors, and the African accompanying them said that he was an alien and had already seen ships that looked like Portuguese ones. His story and the presence of goods, undoubtedly of Asian origin, convinced Gama that he was approaching India. He called the estuary "a river of good omens" and placed a padran on the bank - a stone heraldic pillar with inscriptions, which had been erected since the 80s. 15th century by the Portuguese on the African coast at the most important points. From the west, the Kwakwa, the northern branch of the Zambezi delta, flows into the estuary. In this regard, it is usually not entirely correct to say that Gama discovered the mouth of the Zambezi, and they transfer the name that he gave to the estuary to the lower reaches of the river. For a month, the Portuguese stood at the mouth of the Kwakva, repairing ships. They suffered from scurvy, and the mortality rate was high. On February 24, the flotilla left the estuary. Keeping away from the coast, bordered by a chain of islets, and stopping at night so as not to run aground, five days later she reached 15 ° S. sh. port of Mozambique. Arab one-masted ships (dhows) visited the port annually and exported mainly slaves, gold, ivory and ambergris. Through the local sheikh (ruler), Gama hired two pilots in Mozambique. But Arab merchants guessed dangerous competitors in the newcomers, and friendly relations soon turned into hostile ones. Water, for example, could be taken only after the “enemy” was scattered with cannon shots, and when some of the inhabitants fled, the Portuguese captured several boats with their property and, by order of Gama, divided it among themselves as war booty.

On April 1, the flotilla left Mozambique to the north. Not trusting the Arab pilots, Gama seized a small sailing ship off the coast and tortured the old man, his owner, in order to get the information needed for further navigation. A week later, the flotilla approached the port city of Mombasa (4 ° S), where then the powerful sheikh ruled. Himself a major slave trader, he probably felt rivals in the Portuguese, but at first he received foreigners well. The next day, as the ships entered the harbor, the Arabs on board, including both pilots, jumped into a nearby dhow and fled. At night, Gama ordered the torture of two captives captured from Mozambique in order to find out from them about the "conspiracy in Mombasa." They tied their hands and poured a boiling mixture of oil and tar over their naked bodies. The unfortunate, of course, confessed to the "conspiracy", but, since they, of course, could not provide any details, the torture continued. One prisoner with his hands tied escaped from the hands of the executioners, threw himself into the water and drowned. Leaving Mombasa, Gama detained an Arab dhow at sea, plundered it and captured 19 people. On 14 April she anchored in Malindi Harbor (3° S).

Ahmed Ibn Majid and the Arabian Sea

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, Ahmed Ibn Majid, who was 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 cape appeared, probably Mount Delhi (at 12 ° N). 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).

At the same time the flotilla was visited by the officials of the Samorin, the local ruler. Gama sent a criminal with them to the shore, who knew a little Arabic. According to the messenger, he was taken to two Arabs, who spoke to him in Italian and Castilian. The first question he was asked was, "Which devil brought you here?" The messenger replied that the Portuguese had come to Calicut "to look for Christians and spices." One of the Arabs escorted the envoy back, congratulated Gama on his arrival and ended with the words: "Thank God that he brought you to such a rich country." The Arab offered his services to Gama and was indeed very useful to him. The Arabs, very numerous in Calicut (almost all foreign trade with South India was in their hands), turned the Samorin against the Portuguese; besides, in Lisbon they did not guess to supply Gama with valuable gifts or gold to bribe the local authorities. After Gama personally delivered letters from the king to Samorin, he and his retinue were detained. They were released only a day later, when the Portuguese unloaded some of their goods ashore. However, in the future, Samorin was quite neutral and did not interfere with trade, but the Muslims did not buy Portuguese goods, pointing to their poor quality, and the poor Indians paid much less than the Portuguese expected to receive. Still managed to buy or receive in exchange cloves, cinnamon and precious stones - a little bit of everything.

So more than two months passed. On August 9, Gama sent gifts to Samorin (amber, corals, etc.) and said that he was going to leave and asked to send a representative with him with gifts to the king - with bahar (more than two centners) of cinnamon, bahar of cloves and samples of other spices. Samorin demanded that 600 sheraffins (about 1,800 gold rubles) be paid customs duties, but for now he gave the order to detain goods in a warehouse and forbade residents to transport the Portuguese remaining on the shore to ships. However, Indian boats, as before, approached the ships, curious townspeople examined them, and Gama very kindly received guests. One day, having learned that there were noble people among the visitors, he arrested several people and informed the Samorin that he would release them when the Portuguese who remained on the shore and the detained goods were sent to the ships. A week later, after Gama threatened to execute the hostages, the Portuguese were taken to the ships. Gama released some of the arrested, promising to release the rest after the return of all the goods. Zamorin agents hesitated, and on August 29, Gama left Calicut with noble hostages on board.

The Oud slowly moved north along the Indian coast due to weak variable winds. September 20, the Portuguese anchored at about. Anjidiv (14 ° 45 "N. Lat.), where they repaired their ships. During the repair, pirates approached the island, but Gama put them to flight with cannon shots. Leaving Anjidiv in early October, the flotilla tacked or stood motionless for almost three months, until a favorable wind finally blew in. In January 1499, the Portuguese reached Malindi. The sheikh supplied the flotilla with fresh supplies, at the insistence of Gama sent a gift to the king (an elephant tusk) and set up a padran. In the area of ​​Mombasa, Gama burned the San Rafael ": A greatly reduced team, in which many people were sick, was unable to manage three ships. On February 1, he reached Mozambique. It then took seven weeks to go to the Cape of Good Hope and four more to the Cape Verde Islands. Here" San Gabriel parted ways with the Berriu, which, under the command of N. Cuelho, was the first to arrive in Lisbon on July 10, 1499.

Vasca da Gamma

Paulo da Gama was terminally ill. Vasco, very attached to him (the only human trait of his character), wanted his brother to die in his native land. He passed from Fr. Santiago from the San Gabriel to a fast caravel hired by him and went to the Azores, where Paulo died. After burying him, Vasco arrived in Lisbon by the end of August. Of his four ships, only two returned, It is not known where and under what conditions the transport ship was abandoned or perished, and the fate of its crew has not been clarified. from the team - less than half (according to one version - 55 people) and among them a sailor Joao da Lizboa who took part in the voyage, probably as a navigator. Later, he repeatedly drove Portuguese ships to India and compiled a description of the route, including a description of the coast of Africa - not only large bays and bays, but estuaries, capes, and even individual notable points on the coast. This work was surpassed in detail only in the middle of the 19th century. "African pilot" of the British Admiralty.

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, 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 India could bring for them with the proper economic, political and military organization of the business. 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 the countries of the Indian Ocean and with China did not go through the Mediterranean Sea, but through the Atlantic Ocean - 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 South and East Asia and held it for 90 years - until the defeat of the "Invincible Armada" (1588).

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Vasco da Gama, a Portuguese navigator who opened the way to India for Europeans, thereby had a serious impact on the further course of history.

Da Gama was born in the 60s of the 15th century (there are disputes about the year) in a noble, but not rich, noble family.

In his youth, he served in the Portuguese Navy, was a knight of the Order of Santiago.

In 1497, he was appointed head of a squadron sent to open the way for Portugal to India. The goal was to gain access to oriental spices, the trade in which brought huge profits, but was in the hands of Arab merchants.

Da Gama's flotilla passed by the Cape of Good Hope, visited Mombasa and Mozambique. With the help of an Arab pilot, the ships reached India, having visited Calicut. In 1499, the Portuguese flotilla returned home, goods purchased in India gave a profit of 6,000 percent.

During the second expedition led by da Gama, which took place in 1502-1503, fortresses were founded on the eastern coast of Africa and the local ruler, the Arab Emir of Kilwa, was forced to pay tribute to the Portuguese crown.

During his travels, da Gama did not disdain direct piracy, capturing merchant ships, and also carried out punitive actions, destroying recalcitrant cities with the help of ship artillery.

However, despite the services to his country, only in 1519 did Gama receive the title of Count Vidigueira and land awards. Prior to this, the king thanked the discoverer of the route to India only with a pension and the appointment of an admiral of the Great Ocean.

In 1524 he became Indian Viceroy. Da Gama fought against the abuses of the colonial administration, but died the same year of malaria.

The opening of the way to rich India enriched Portugal. However, the money that poured into the country from the spice trade led to a stagnation in the Portuguese economy. It turned out to be more profitable to make fortunes through robbery and trade than to develop industrial production. As a result, da Gama played an ambiguous role in the fate of his homeland and indirectly helped England and Holland to get ahead. The discoveries of the Portuguese navigator contributed to the fall of India and a number of other countries into colonial dependence, but they also gave impetus to the initial accumulation of capital.

Option 2

Vasco da Gama was one of the first famous discoverers of Portuguese origin, who successfully traveled to India, circumnavigating the African continent. He was born at the beginning of the second half of the 15th century AD. in the family of the knight of Portugal E. da Gama. The discoverer of the sea route to India also had several brothers in his family. The eldest of them, Paolo, also took part in the journey to India. Vasco had an ancient, well-born origin, although the family was not very wealthy. His grandfather received the title of knight during the Reconquista for valor and courage in battles with Muslims.

Vasco da Gama and his brothers became members of the military Catholic order of Santiago. Also, the future discoverer studied astronomy, navigation and mathematics, which helped him a lot in sea voyages. In addition, from a young age he took part in naval battles. So, da Gama, on behalf of the Portuguese monarch, captured French ships that were in the roadstead along the French coast in order to force the king of France to return the stolen Portuguese ship with gold from Guinea. So he became popular even before his famous campaign in India.

Vasco da Gama became the first navigator to circumnavigate Africa to reach India via the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. This journey was the impetus for the long-term economic management of Europeans in Asia, and also marked the beginning of the five-century colonial rule of the Portuguese in India.

07/08/1497 da Gama's ships left the capital of Portugal in celebration and set off on their first voyage to India. During this journey, the discoverer explored the southern shores of the African continent, established trade relations with the Sultan of Mozambique, was the first European resident who was on a visit to the seaports of Africa.

On May 20, 1498, the Portuguese successfully reached the Indian continent. The return trip was much more difficult due to pirate attacks, lack of food and the illness of the traveler's brother. But on September 18, 1499, the discoverer arrived back in Lisbon. Swimming claimed the lives of 2/3 of the da Gama team and the loss of 2 ships.

The journey of Vasco da Gama gave Portugal vast opportunities for the development of trade on the Asian continent, which until then had been carried out exclusively along the Great Chinese (Silk) Road.

From the beginning of the 16th century, the Portuguese began to constantly sail in India along the path laid by Vasco da Gama. Da Gama's second trip to India was already a full-fledged military operation to consolidate Portuguese influence in this territory, where he became viceroy. However, in 1524 he died of malaria.

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

So why was a sea route to India needed?

I must say that it was simply necessary for Portugal at that time to get to distant, but so alluring with its riches, India by sea. By its geographical position, 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 so many of their products that could be put up for sale, and all kinds of valuable goods from the East (spices, etc.) had to be bought very expensive. The country was financially weakened by the Reconquista and the wars with Castile.

However, the location of Portugal on the geographical map of the world, of course, provided her with great advantages in exploring the western coast of Africa and still gave hope to open a sea route to the “land of spices”. This idea was started 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 trips to African shores.

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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 a whole program for the fleet, and at the same time, all his actions were subject to selfish considerations - to get more gold and slaves, to take a more powerful position among the nobility. It was such a time: virtue and vice were mixed into an unravelable tangle ...

After the death of Henry the Navigator, sea expeditions stopped for some time. In addition, despite numerous attempts, the sailors equipped with 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 in parallel with this, Bartolomeu Dias discovered the Cape of Good Hope: he managed to go around the African mainland and left the Atlantic Ocean for the Indian.

Thus, the assumptions of ancient scientists that Africa was a continent stretched to the South Pole were finally broken. By the way, perhaps it was Bartolomeu Dias who could have been famous for 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. Later, Dias helped Vasco da Gama organize his expeditions.

Why Vasco da Gama?

Today, we cannot reliably know why exactly Vasco da Gama was chosen to lead an 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 “necessary” character. More about the biography of Vasco da Gama. He knew human nature well, knew how to deal with the ship's crew, could tame rebellious 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 just combined all these qualities: he was an excellent navigator - 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, be obliging and persistent at the same time. At the same time, he did not differ in special sentimentality and tenderness - he was quite capable of capturing slaves, taking prey by force, conquering new lands - which was the main goal of the Portuguese expedition to the East. The chronicles note that the da Gama clan was known not only for its courage, but also for its self-will, a 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 king's son João II postponed this event for several years: the king was so saddened that he was not able to carry out such large-scale projects. And only after the death of Juan II and the accession to the throne of King Manuel I, the court again actively started talking about opening a sea route to the East.

Everything was prepared with the utmost care. 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 Berriu caravel and another transport ship. The expedition was equipped with the latest maps and navigational instruments.

Among other things, according to the established custom, three stone pillars-padrans 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, this expedition was attended by an astronomer, a clerk, a priest, translators who speak Arabic and the languages ​​\u200b\u200bof the natives, and even a dozen criminals who were taken specifically to carry out the most dangerous assignments. 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 food supplies. Rusks were the main food product; special ovens were installed in the port by order of Manuel I. 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 cannonballs, and weapons were taken in excess. For each ship, three changes of sail and ropes were provided, based on 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, trousers with wide stripes and bright scarlet hats, honey and sugar ... neither gold nor silver. Such gifts were more designed 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 - cold weapons, halberds, crossbows. Before going out to sea, solemn services were held in churches and all participants in the long voyage were forgiven of sins in advance. During this voyage, Vasco da Gama will more than once show not 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-o-Novo, one of the oldest cities in Portugal, 18 miles east of Lisbon. Everything was furnished with truly royal pomp and grandeur.

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

First trip 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 in the Canary Islands, so as not to give the Spaniards the purpose of their journey, they replenished fresh water and provisions on the Cape Verde Islands (then they 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 heavy 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 sailors demanded that the captain return to their homeland. But before their eyes, the navigator threw all the quadrants and navigational instruments into the sea as a sign that there was no turning back. Although historians agree that, probably, not all, but almost all. Most likely, the captain still had spare instruments.

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

On December 16, 1497, the expedition left behind the last padran column of Bartolomeu Dias. Further, their path lay along the east coast of Africa. The waters of the Indian Ocean, which Vasco entered, have been the sea trade routes of the Arab countries for more than one century, and the Portuguese pioneer had a hard time. So in Mozambique, he received an invitation to the chambers of the Sultan, but the goods of Europeans did not impress the local merchants.

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 volleys of cannons at the coastal villages. A little later, in the port city of Mombasa, where the ships of the expedition entered at the end of February, the Portuguese captured and plundered an Arab ship, and 30 crew members were taken prisoner.

They were met more hospitably in Malindi. Here, after a long search, yes Gama was able to hire an experienced pilot who knew the way to India, as he understood that they had to cross the Indian Ocean, unknown before. 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 from Oman, a pilot, geographer and writer of the 15th century. He came from a family of navigators, his grandfather and father drove ships in the Indian Ocean.

When the elderly sailor and his sailor boarded the San Gabriel with dignity, Vasco da Gama could hardly contain his excitement, peering into the impenetrable face of the Arab, trying to understand how much he understood in navigation. It is understandable, the fate of the entire expedition depended on this person.

Vasco da Gama showed Ahmad ibn Majid an astrolabe and a sextant, but these devices 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 doubts that in this pilot he acquired great value. The Arabs and Turks themselves called Ahmad ibn Majid "the lion of the sea", while the Portuguese gave him the nickname Malemo Cana, which means "an expert in maritime affairs and astronomy."

On April 24, 1498, an Arab pilot took the Portuguese ships out of Malinda and headed northeast. He knew that favorable monsoon winds were blowing here at this time. The pilot brilliantly led the flotilla, cutting through the western part of the Indian Ocean almost in the 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 awarded an audience with the ruler, his stay in the East could not be called successful. The Arab merchants who served at the court considered the gifts of the Portuguese not worthy, 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 went poorly on the local market. In addition, disagreements arose over 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 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, those three months that the journey to the coast of Africa lasted, there was unbearable heat, and the crew was very sick. In such a deplorable state on January 2, 1499, the flotilla approached the city of Magadisho. da Gama did not dare to anchor and go ashore - the team was too small and exhausted - but in order to “declare himself”, he ordered to shell the city from ship guns.

On January 7, the sailors anchored in the port of Malindi, where a few days of rest, good food and fresh fruit allowed the crew to recover and gain strength again. But still, the loss of the crew was so great that one of the ships had to be burned. March 20 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 laid. Vasco da Gama himself set foot on his native land only in late August - early September 1499. He was delayed along the way by the illness and death of his brother Paulo.

Of the 4 ships and 170 sailors, only 2 ships and 55 people returned! However, if you look at the financial component, the first Portuguese sea expedition to India was very successful - the goods brought were sold for 60 times the cost of her 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 Alvaris Cabral. But sailing to India was now only half the battle, it was necessary to establish trade relations with local rulers. This is exactly what Senor Cabral failed to do: the Portuguese quarreled with Arab merchants, the cooperation that had begun in Calicut was replaced by enmity. As a result, the Portuguese trading post was simply burned, and the ships of Pedro Cabral, sailing from the Indian coast, fired at the coast of Calicut from their onboard guns.

It became clear that the fastest and "direct" way to settle in India is 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 put an experienced and uncompromising sailor at the head of the squadron. In total, 20 ships set sail, 10 of which were subordinate to the Admiral of the Indian Sea, five were sent to obstruct Arab merchant ships, and five more, led, by the way, by the Admiral’s nephew, Eshtevan da Gama, were supposed to guard the Portuguese trading posts in India .

In this voyage, Vasco da Gama proved that no one but him would have done a better job with this task. Along the way, he founded forts and trading posts on the southern African coast - in Sofal and Mozambique, 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, yes Gama ordered the burning of an Arab ship, on board of which there were only pilgrims. It happened off the coast of Malabar.

In the city of Kannanur, the expedition was received 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 burning the trading post during Da Gama's previous visit and promised to compensate for the losses, but the inexorable admiral seized all the Indian ships that were in the port and literally turned the city into ruins with artillery fire.

The Indian hostages were hung on the masts of the Portuguese ships, and the severed parts of the hands and feet, the heads of the captives, were sent to the zamorina. For intimidation. Two days after the new shelling of the city, the Zamorin left Calicut. Mission accomplished. Meanwhile, Vasco da Gama went to the city of Cochin, where he loaded the ships with spices and spices, and began to prepare for the return trip.

Zamorin, having assembled a flotilla with the help of Arab merchants, tried to resist the Portuguese, but the artillery on board the European ships predetermined the outcome of the battle - light Arab ships retreated under fire from 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 the honors and privileges at the royal court. King Manuel I took into account his recommendations when developing plans for the further colonization of India. In particular, the Admiral of the Indian Sea insisted on the creation of a naval police off the coast of the Portuguese possessions in the “land of spices”. His proposal was put into practice.

Also, on the advice of Vasco da Gama, in 1505, the post of Viceroy of India was introduced by decree of the king. This post was held in different years by Francisco d'Almeida and Affonso d'Albuquerque. Their policy was simple and straightforward - the power of Portugal in the Indian colonies and in the Indian Ocean was planted "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 Eshtevan and Paulo also departed with him. The flotilla consisted of 15 ships with a capacity of 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 very first thing upon arrival in Goa - the main stronghold of Portugal in the Indian Ocean - Vasco da Gama most decisively set about restoring 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 doubts about 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.

Content

For those who love geography, the history of the world or are interested in the biography of great people, the discoverer of the Sea Route is one of the iconic figures. A brief biography of the traveler and the history of an important expedition for the whole of Eurasia will help you get to know the one who discovered the sea route to India better.

Vasco da Gama - short biography

The history of the Portuguese navigator began in 1460 in Sines (Portugal), where he was born. His origin is attributed to a noble family, proof of this is the prefix "yes" in the name. The father was the knight Eshteva, and the mother was Isabelle. Due to his difficult origin, the future navigator Vasco da Gama was able to get a good education. He knew mathematics, navigation, astronomy, English. Then only these sciences were considered the highest, and a person after training could be called educated.

Since all the men of that time became military men, this fate did not bypass the future discoverer. In addition, the Portuguese knights were exclusively naval officers. Hence the great story of the one who discovered India as a trading country with millions of different goods that bring huge profits. For those times it was a great event that changed the lives of many.

Discoveries in geography

Before Vasco da Gama made the discovery of India that changed the world, he distinguished himself by his military exploits. For example, in 1492 he freed a ship captured by French corsairs, which greatly pleased the king, and then became an approximate officer of the monarch. So he had the opportunity to enjoy privileges that helped him to make further travels and discoveries, the most important of which was a visit to India. A summary of the Sea Route will help you better understand what Vasco da Gama discovered.

Journey of Vasco da Gama

Vasco da Gama's expedition to India was a really big step for the whole of Europe. The idea of ​​establishing trade relations with the country belonged to Emperor Manuel I, and he began to carefully choose a commander who could make such an important journey. It had to be not only a good naval officer, but also an excellent organizer. The first choice for this role was Bartolomeo Dias, but everything turned out differently.

A fleet of 4 ships was created for the waters of Africa and the Indian Ocean, the best maps and instruments for the most accurate navigation were collected. Peru Alenker was appointed chief navigator - a man who had already gone to the Cape of Good Hope, and this is the first part of the journey. The task of the expedition was to pave the way from Africa to India by sea. On the ships were a priest, an astronomer, a clerk, and translators of various languages. Everything was fine with food: even during preparation, the ships were filled with breadcrumbs, corned beef, porridge. Water, fish and goodies were obtained during stops on different coasts.

On July 8, 1497, the expedition began its movement from Lisbon and set off on a long sea voyage along the coast of Europe and Africa. Already at the end of November, the team managed with difficulty to go around the Cape of Good Hope and direct their ships to the northeast, towards India. On the way, they met both friends and enemies, they had to fight back with bombards, or vice versa - to conclude agreements against enemies. May 20, 1498 ships entered the first city of India, Calicut.

Discovery of the Vasco da Gama Sea Route

A real victory for the geography of that time was the opening of the way to India by Vasco da Gama. When in August 1499 he returned to his native land, he was met royally - very solemnly. Since then, trips for Indian goods have become regular, and the famous navigator himself went there more than once. In addition, others began to believe that this way you can get to Australia. In India, the navigator was no longer a simple guest, but received a title and colonized some lands. For example, the popular resort of Goa remained a Portuguese colony until the middle of the 20th century.