However, bent down with age and weakness he sool fell ill. This time, on arriving in Goa, he immediately started to work on the various administrative corruptions that had begun there. Da Gama went in his third voyage after the death of King Manuel, this time nominated as the Portuguese Viceroy in India by King John III. Vasco da Gama third voyage is not considered to be of much significance since at that time he was already a man of advanced age and died shortly after. Although he had a trade a lot of it to the Muslim rulers in a barter system to buy other things, the spices he carried home proved to extremely precious. It also helped establish Portugal as a major colonial power.ĭa Gama was able to convince the rulers of Calicut to trade with his and was able to acquire a variety of spices which were very valuable. His voyage is a landmark and his discoveries were of extreme significance in the history of navigation. Vasco da Gama is best remembered for his voyage to India since he was the first European sailor to directly reach India around the Cape of Good Hope. He was also accompanied by three interpreters who could speak several languages. The two ships that he had were called Sao Gabriel and Sao Raphael. He sailed with a big fleet which was unusual for explorers who were going on their first voyage. When did Vasco da Gama start his voyage?ĭa Gama started his voyage towards Asia on 8th June 1497. Nevertheless, da Gama’s initial expedition ushered in a several-hundred years era of European domination through sea power and commerce, and 450 years of Portuguese colonialism in India that brought wealth and power to the Portuguese monarchy. King Manuel I rewarded him with the titles of Admiral of the Indian Seas and count of Vidigueira.ĭa Gama’s voyage was victorious in setting up a sea route that linked India and Europe that would allow trade with the Far East, devoid of the use of the expensive and hazardous Silk Road caravan routes of the Middle East and Central Asia–which seemed to be fading away due to the destruction of the Mongol Empire. With the remaining 13 ships entirely of goods, he set sail for Portugal on December 28, 1502. He was able to sign treaties with the rajahs in the cities of Cochin and Cannanore. During this voyage, he bombarded the city of Calicut.
He spent the next several months trying to work out a trade treaty with the local rajah, but because of the intervention of the local Muslim merchants, he was unable to reach an agreement and headed home at the end of August 1498.ĭa Gama’s second voyage to India was in 1502 and was made up of 20 ships.
Vasco da Gama proved to be an Admiral of the Sea.ĭa Gama proved victorious by crossing the Indian Ocean and anchored off the city of Calicut, India, on May 20. Another thing he did, was that he proved Prince Henry’s theory pertaining to an all-water path to Asia was true. Vasco da GamaĪlong with this, he also managed to set up an exceptionally significant and valuable trade system between India and Portugal. This is what Vasco da Gama is most famous for.
His achievements led to a water route to Asia. He did what most other voyagers attempted and failed to achieve. Vasco da Gama was known to be the first European who sailed from Europe to Asia. 3 Why Should Vasco da Gama be remembered?.2.1 When did Vasco da Gama start his voyage?.