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Vasco da Gama

Portuguese explorer who reached India by sea.

Vasco da Gama was the first European to reach India by sea, linking Europe and Asia. His discovery of the sea route to India led to an age of global imperialism and established Portugal's colonial empire. Da Gama's expeditions boosted the Portuguese economy and led to a commercial monopoly of spices from Southeast Asia. He was appointed Governor of India and ennobled as Count of Vidigueira for his contributions.

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Timeline

Birth of Vasco da Gama

Vasco da Gama was born around 1460 in Sines, Portugal. He was a Portuguese explorer who played a key role in connecting Europe to the East through his maritime voyages.

Birth of Vasco da Gama

Vasco da Gama was born in Sines, a seaport on the southwest coast of Portugal. He later commanded the first fleet to reach India from Europe, leading to the construction of a statue in his honor.

Dispatch of Spies by John II

In 1487, John II dispatched two spies, Pero da Covilhã and Afonso de Paiva, overland via Egypt to East Africa and India to gather information on spice markets and trade routes.

Bartolomeu Dias' Exploration

In 1488, Bartolomeu Dias returned from rounding the Cape of Good Hope, exploring the coast of modern-day South Africa and verifying the existence of a route to the Indian Ocean.

Vasco da Gama's Life

The user provided the specific date of January 1, 1492, which might be significant in Vasco da Gama's life. Further details were not provided.

Expedition to India

In 1497, an expedition set sail from Lisbon, Portugal with 170 crew members on orders of King Manuel to open up trading options and bring back spices from India. The journey took more than 3 months for the first sight of land due to going far into the Atlantic to escape destructive currents.

Departure from Canary Islands

Vasco da Gama's fleet passed the Canary Islands on July 15, 1497, marking the beginning of their exploration and discovery journey.

Landfall on the African Coast

On 4 November 1497, Vasco da Gama's expedition made landfall on the African coast after a long and challenging journey across the open ocean, reaching waters previously unknown to Europeans.

Arrival at Santa Helena Bay

Vasco da Gama's fleet reached Santa Helena Bay in modern South Africa on November 7, 1497, during their expedition to find a sea route to India.

Reaching Quelimane River

On November 25, 1497, Vasco da Gama's fleet reached the Quelimane River in what is now Mozambique, where they erected a padrão and continued their exploration.

Passing the Great Fish River

By 16 December 1497, Vasco da Gama's fleet had passed the Great Fish River in South Africa, sailing into uncharted waters and naming the coast 'Natal' in Portuguese.

Anchoring near Rio do Cobre

On January 11, 1498, Vasco da Gama's fleet anchored near the mouth of a small river between Natal and Mozambique, which they named the Rio do Cobre (Copper River) during their voyage.

Vasco da Gama's Encounter with the Sultan of Mozambique

In March 1498, Vasco da Gama, while in the vicinity of Mozambique Island, disguised himself as a Muslim to meet the Sultan of Mozambique. Due to a lack of suitable gifts, he faced suspicion from the local population and was eventually forced to flee the harbor.

Portuguese Expedition's Encounter with Mombasa

From 7 to 13 April 1498, Vasco da Gama's expedition engaged in piracy near Mombasa, Kenya, looting Arab merchant ships. Despite being the first Europeans to visit Mombasa, they faced hostility and had to depart.

Arrival at Malindi and Hiring of a Pilot

On 14 April 1498, Vasco da Gama reached the port of Malindi, where he hired a pilot familiar with the monsoon winds to guide the expedition to Calicut, India. The pilot's identity remains a topic of debate among historical sources.

Departure from Malindi to Calicut

On 24 April 1498, Vasco da Gama set sail from Malindi to Calicut, marking a significant step in his journey to establish a sea route to India.

Vasco da Gama Reaches India

On May 20, 1498, Vasco da Gama arrived in Calicut, India, completing his historic journey around the Cape of Good Hope. This marked the first direct sea voyage from Europe to Asia.

Departure from Calicut

Vasco da Gama left Calicut on August 29, 1498, after facing challenges with local authorities and trade customs. Ignoring monsoon wind patterns, the fleet set sail for the Indian Ocean crossing, marking the beginning of the return journey.

Passing Mogadishu

On January 2, 1499, Vasco da Gama's fleet passed before the coastal Somali city of Mogadishu during the return journey. The diarist noted the city's grandeur with tall houses, palaces, and mosques, providing insights into the region's architecture and civilization.

Arrival in Malindi

Vasco da Gama's fleet arrived in Malindi in a terrible state, with half of the crew dead and many others suffering from scurvy. He scuttled one ship and redistributed the crew to the remaining two ships.

Arrival at Malindi

After nearly three months crossing the Arabian Sea, Vasco da Gama reached Malindi on January 8, 1499. Many crew members died of scurvy during the journey.

Arrival at Mozambique

Vasco da Gama reached Mozambique on February 1, 1499, where he set up his last padrão.

Arrival on the West African coast

Vasco da Gama's fleet crossed the Cape of Good Hope on 20 March and reached the west African coast by 25 April.

Arrival of the Berrio in Portugal

The ship Berrio, part of Vasco da Gama's fleet, reached the Tagus River in Portugal on July 10, 1499, after being separated from the São Gabriel during a storm.

Vasco da Gama's return to Lisbon

Vasco da Gama arrived in Lisbon on 29 August 1499 after a challenging expedition. Despite the losses, he was welcomed as a hero.

Vasco da Gama's Arrival in Lisbon

Vasco da Gama reached Lisbon on September 9, 1499, after dispatching his flagship to Lisbon from Terceira Island. He made a triumphal entry nine days later.

Marriage of Vasco da Gama to Catarina de Ataíde

Around 1501, Vasco da Gama married Catarina de Ataíde, daughter of Álvaro de Ataíde, a nobleman from Algarve. Catarina was connected to the powerful Almeida family through kinship, further solidifying da Gama's social status.

Beginning of the Second Voyage

The second voyage of Vasco da Gama, part of the New Portuguese Empire's exploration efforts, commenced on January 1, 1502.

Vasco da Gama awarded the title of Admiral of the Seas of Arabia, Persia, India and all the Orient

In January 1502, Vasco da Gama was granted the prestigious title of Admiral of the Seas of Arabia, Persia, India and all the Orient by King Manuel I of Portugal. This title was a recognition of da Gama's significant contributions to Portuguese exploration and trade in the East.

Title as Admiral of the Sea of India granted by King Manuel

Upon arriving in Lisbon, Vasco da Gama was given the prestigious title of Admiral of the Sea of India by King Manuel. Only 2 ships and 54 crew members survived the journey, which was half the original number.

Vasco da Gama takes command of the 4th India Armada

Vasco da Gama invoked his royal letter to lead the 4th India Armada in 1502, aiming to seek revenge on the Zamorin and enforce Portuguese terms. The fleet consisted of fifteen ships and eight hundred men, departing from Lisbon on 12 February 1502.

Vasco da Gama's Return to Portugal

Vasco da Gama returned to Portugal in September 1503 after failing to bring the Zamorin of Calicut to submission. His uncle Vicente Sodré also failed to protect the Portuguese factory in Cochin.

Receiving the title of Count of Vidigueira

After returning from his second voyage to India, the explorer was awarded the title of Count of Vidigueira by King Manuel I. This title granted him the right to collect taxes and rents from the villages of Vidigueira and Vila de Frades, and it could be inherited by his descendants.

On April 9, 1524, the explorer embarked on his final voyage. This journey marked the end of his seafaring career and further contributions to the Age of Exploration.

Death of Vasco da Gama in Cochin, India

Vasco da Gama, the Viceroy of India, passed away on December 24, 1524, in Cochin, India. His final voyage was marked by personal hardship as he fell seriously ill during his time in India. His death signified the end of an era in Portuguese exploration and trade in the Indian Ocean.

Reburial of Vasco da Gama's remains

The body of Vasco da Gama was first buried at St. Francis Church in Kochi, but in 1539, his remains were returned to Portugal and re-interred in Vidigueira in a casket decorated with gold and jewels.

Premiere of L'Africaine opera featuring Vasco da Gama

The grand opera L'Africaine, premiered in 1865, prominently included the character of Vasco da Gama, showcasing his enduring influence in cultural works.

Transfer of Vasco da Gama's remains to the Monastery of the Hieronymites

In 1880, the remains of Vasco da Gama and the poet Luís de Camões were moved to new carved tombs in the Monastery of the Hieronymites in Belém, near the tombs of the Portuguese kings Manuel I and John III.

Hugh Masekela's Songs about Vasco da Gama

South African musician Hugh Masekela recorded songs like 'Colonial Man' and 'Vasco da Gama (The Sailor Man)' in his 1976 album, reflecting anti-colonial sentiments and critical views of Vasco da Gama's actions.

Discovery of Esmeralda Shipwreck

In March 2016, archaeologists identified a shipwreck off the coast of Oman believed to be the Esmeralda from Vasco da Gama's fleet. The wreck was initially discovered in 1998 and further excavated between 2013 and 2015, revealing artifacts linked to da Gama's expedition.

An article written by Gonçalo Costa on January 14, 2022, providing information about Vasco da Gama, a prominent Portuguese explorer.

End of the Timeline
Vasco da Gama

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