What geographical discovery did Vasco da Gama make? Journey of Vasco da Gama

“... If this situation continued for another two weeks, there would be no people left to control the ships. We have reached such a state that all the bonds of discipline have disappeared. We prayed to the patron saints of our ships. The captains consulted and decided, if the wind allowed, to return back to India ”(Vasco da Gama’s travel diary).

After the opening of the route around Africa to the Indian Ocean by Bartolomeu Dias (1488), the Portuguese found themselves at a distance of one forced march from the coveted land of spices. Confidence in this was reinforced by the evidence obtained from the studies of Perud Covilhã and Afonso de Paiva maritime traffic between East Africa and India (1490-1491). However, for some reason, the Portuguese were in no hurry to make this very throw.

A little earlier, in 1483, Christopher Columbus offered King Juan II of Portugal a different route to India - the western one, across the Atlantic. The reasons why the king nevertheless rejected the Genoese project can now only be guessed at. It is most likely that the Portuguese either preferred the “tit in hand” - the path to India around Africa that had already been groped for many years, or were better informed than Columbus and knew that it was not India at all beyond the Atlantic Ocean. Perhaps Juan II was going to save Columbus with his project until better times, but he did not take into account one thing - the Genoese was not going to wait for the weather by the sea, fled from Portugal and offered his services to the Spaniards. The latter dragged on for a long time, but in 1492 they nevertheless equipped an expedition to the west.

The return of Columbus with the news that he had opened a western route to India naturally worried the Portuguese: the rights granted to Portugal in 1452 by Pope Nicholas V to all lands discovered south and east of Cape Bojador were called into question. The Spaniards declared the lands discovered by Columbus to be their own and refused to recognize the territorial rights of Portugal. Only the head himself could resolve this dispute catholic church. On May 3, 1493, Pope Alexander VI made a Solomonic decision: all the lands that the Portuguese discovered or will discover east of the meridian passing 100 leagues (one league was approximately 3 miles or 4.828 km) west of the Cape Verde Islands belong to them, and the territories west of this line - the Spaniards. A year later, Spain and Portugal signed the so-called Treaty of Tordesillas, which was based on this decision.

Now the time has come active action. Delaying an expedition to India became dangerous - God knows what else the Genoese Spaniard would discover across the Atlantic! And the expedition was organized - with the direct participation of Bartolomeu Dias. Who, if not he, who was the first to enter the Indian Ocean, had every right to lead the fateful campaign? However, the new Portuguese king Manuel I in 1497 gave this order not to him, but to the young nobleman Vasco da Gama - not so much a navigator as a military man and diplomat. Obviously, the king assumed that the main difficulties that awaited the expedition lay not in the field of navigation, but in the field of contacts with the rulers of the states of East Africa and the Indian subcontinent.

On July 8, 1497, a flotilla consisting of four ships with a crew of 168 people left Lisbon. The flagship of the San Gabriel was commanded by Vasco da Gama himself, the captain of the San Rafael was his brother Paulo, Nicolau Coelho led the Berriu, on the captain's bridge of the fourth, a small merchant ship, whose name has not been preserved, was Gonzalo Nunes. The route of the expedition Atlantic Ocean is of considerable interest and gives food for many assumptions. After passing the Cape Verde Islands, the ships turned west and described a large arc, almost touching South America, and then leaving east, to the bay of St. Helena on the African coast. Not the closest way, right? But the fastest - with such a trajectory, sailboats "mount" on passing ocean currents. It seems that the Portuguese were already well aware of the currents and winds of the western half of the South Atlantic. So, they could swim this route before. Perhaps, passing by them, they saw the land - South America and, moreover, landed there. But this is already from the realm of assumptions, not facts.

The people of Vasco da Gama spent 93 days in the ocean without setting foot on land - at that time a world record. On the shores of the Bay of St. Helena, sailors met dark-skinned (but lighter than the inhabitants of the mainland already familiar to the Portuguese) undersized people - the Bushmen. Peaceful trade exchange somehow imperceptibly turned into an armed conflict, and we had to weigh anchor. Having rounded the Cape of Good Hope and after it the southernmost point of Africa - the cape called Agulhas, since the compass needle (needle) lost declination near it, the ships entered Mosselbay Bay, and on December 16 they reached the final destination of Bartolomeu Dias' voyage - Rio do - Infante (now Great Fish). Meanwhile, scurvy began among the sailors. Now everyone knows that the surest remedy for the disease is vitamin C, which is abundant in any fruit, but then there were no cures for the disease.

At the end of January, three ships (the fourth ship, the smallest and most dilapidated, had to be abandoned) entered the waters where Arab traders were hosting, exporting from Africa ivory, ambergris, gold and slaves. At the very beginning of March, the expedition reached Mozambique. Wanting to make the most favorable impression on the local Muslim ruler, Vasco da Gama introduced himself as an adherent of Islam. But either the sultan revealed the deceit, or he did not like the gifts presented by the navigator - the Portuguese had to retreat. In revenge, Vasco da Gama ordered the inhospitable city to be shot from cannons.

Mombasa was next. The local sheikh did not like the aliens right away - after all, they were Gentiles, but their ships liked them. He tried to take possession of them, and destroy the team. The Portuguese managed to put the attackers to flight. Several times Arab merchant ships attacked the Portuguese at sea, but, having no guns, were doomed to failure. Vasco da Gama captured Arab ships, and brutally tortured and drowned the prisoners.

In mid-April, the ships arrived in Malindi, where the Portuguese were finally welcomed. The explanation is simple: the rulers of Malindi and Mombasa were sworn enemies. The crew got a few days to rest, the ruler provided the Portuguese with provisions and, most importantly, gave them an experienced Arab pilot to lead the expedition to India. According to some reports, it was the legendary Ahmed ibn Majid. Other historians deny this.

On May 20, the pilot led the flotilla to the Malabar coast, to Calicut (modern Kozhikode), the famous transit center for trade in spices, precious stones and pearls. Everything went well at first. The ruler of Calicut (samutiri) was hospitable, the Portuguese received permission to trade. They managed to get spices, gems, fabrics. But soon trouble began. Portuguese goods were not in demand, largely due to the intrigues of Muslim merchants, who were not accustomed to competition and, moreover, had heard about the numerous skirmishes between the Portuguese and Arab merchant ships. The attitude of the Samoothiri towards the Portuguese also began to change. He did not allow them to establish a trading post in Calicut, and once even took Vasco da Gama into custody. Staying here longer has become not only pointless, but also dangerous.

Shortly before the departure of Vasco da Gama, he wrote a letter to the Samoothiri, in which he reminded of the promise to send ambassadors to Portugal, and also asked for gifts for his king - several bags of spices. In response, the Samoothiri demanded payment of customs duties and ordered the arrest of Portuguese goods and people. Then Vasco da Gama, taking advantage of the fact that noble people of Calicut were constantly visiting his ships, out of curiosity, took several of them hostage. Samoothiri was forced to return the detained sailors and part of the goods, while the Portuguese sent half of the hostages ashore, and Vasco da Gama decided to take the rest with him. He left the goods as a gift to the Samoothiri. At the end of August, the ships set off. If the journey from Malindi to Calicut took the Portuguese 23 days, then they had to get back more than four months. And the reason for this is the monsoons, summer period directed from the Indian Ocean towards South Asia. Now, if the Portuguese waited for winter, the monsoon, which changed its direction to the opposite, would quickly drive them to the shores East Africa. And so - a long exhausting swim, terrible heat, scurvy. From time to time had to fight off Arab pirates. In turn, the Portuguese themselves captured several merchant ships. Only on January 2, 1499, the sailors approached Mogadishu, but did not stop, but only bombarded the city with bombards. Already on January 7, the expedition arrived in Malindi, where in five days, thanks to good food, the sailors got stronger - those who survived: by this time the crew had thinned by half.

In March, two ships (one ship had to be burned - there was no one to lead it anyway) rounded the Cape of Good Hope, and on April 16, with a fair wind, they rushed to the Cape Verde Islands. Vasco da Gama sent a ship ahead, which in July brought news of the success of the expedition to Lisbon, while he himself remained with his dying brother. He returned to his homeland only on September 18, 1499.

A solemn meeting awaited the traveler, he received the highest title of nobility and a life annuity, and a little later he was appointed "Admiral of the Indian Seas." The spices and precious stones brought by him more than paid off the expenses of the expedition. But the main thing is different. Already in 1500-1501. The Portuguese began trading with India and established strongholds there. Having gained a foothold on the Malabar coast, they began to expand to the east and west, drove out the Arab merchants and for a whole century established their dominance in the Indian sea ​​waters. In 1511, they took control of Malacca, a real kingdom of spices. The reconnaissance conducted by Vasco da Gama on the East African coast allowed the Portuguese to organize forts here, transshipment bases, supply points fresh water and provisions.

NUMBERS AND FACTS

Main character: Vasco da Gama, Portuguese
Other characters: Kings João II and Manuel I of Portugal; Alexander VI, Pope; Bartolomeu Dias; Captains Paulo da Gama, Nicolau Coelho, Gonzalo Nunes
Action time: July 8, 1497 - September 18, 1499
Itinerary: From Portugal around Africa to India
Goal: Reach India by sea and establish trade relations
Meaning: The arrival of the first ships from Europe in India, the assertion of Portuguese dominance in Indian sea waters and on the East African coast

The greatest navigator Vasco da Gama, who paved the sea route from Europe to India, is considered a heroic figure for the Portuguese. The biography of the famous traveler is replete not only with discoveries, but also with episodes of piracy and cynical murders.

The date of birth of Vasco is considered to be the interval from 1460 to 1469, since exact information is still not known. The boy's childhood passed in the village of Sinesh, located on sea ​​coast. The boy was a descendant of a noble family and grew up in a wealthy family. Ishtevan da Gama compensated for his own guilt before his son with money, so he did not refuse anything.

The boy's parents were in a sinful relationship and were not engaged at the time of his birth. Because of this, the baby was considered a bastard and did not have the right to claim the inheritance. This circumstance left a strong imprint on the formation of the character of Vasco, who from a young age knew that he would have to break through the path of life on his own.

In the 15th century, illegitimate boys were tonsured monks to ensure a full education and upbringing. In 1480, Vasco, along with his brother, entered the Order of Santiago, where he studied mathematics, astronomy and navigation. The boys' teacher is Abraham Zakuto, who spoke respectfully of capable students. The next period of the young man's life is marked by historians as "12 mysterious years."

Swimming

New information about Vasco da Gama appears in 1492. At that moment, pirates under the French flag captured a Portuguese galleon that was transporting gold from Guinea to Portugal. Insulted, King Manuel I ordered an experienced navigator to seize all ships moored along the coast of France. The sortie of Vasco da Gama was so successful that upon returning from swimming, it becomes unimaginably popular.

The French returned the loot in exchange for ships. The conflict was resolved successfully. The sailors released from captivity recalled with horror the merciless and vicious Portuguese invader, who subjected men to torture and abuse. According to the stories of the sailors, the ship led by da Gama appeared out of nowhere, and the capture took place with lightning speed.

First trip

King Juan (Manuel's predecessor) dreamed of conquering India and even equipped an expedition, but the raid failed. In 1497, the court astrologer and mathematician Abraham Ben Zakuto predicted that 2 brothers would conquer the “land of spices”. Mindful of the valor and cruelty of the da Gama brothers, the Portuguese monarch appoints young Vasco as the head of the expedition. On July 8, a flotilla consisting of three warships (San Rafael, San Gabriel, Berriu) and one transport vessel departed from Lisbon.

The squadron safely passed the Green Cape, where the sailors replenished their food supplies, and headed towards Africa across the Atlantic Ocean. The team saw the shore only 4 months after the start of the journey, having arranged a parking lot in the bay of St. Helena. Local tribes met the sailors aggressively, unleashing an armed conflict. In a skirmish, Vasco was seriously wounded in the leg.

Having rounded the Cape of Good Hope, the sailors stopped in Mossel Bay, where they replenished their supplies of provisions and sank a faulty transport ship. The sailors noticed that the natives wear woven clothes and understand the Arabic dialect. It becomes clear that Arabia is located nearby. Uncertainty awaits ahead, as further territory has not been explored.

Due to the lack of provisions and difficult traveling conditions, the sailors fell ill with scurvy, 50 people died. The team raised a riot demanding to return to their homeland. Vasco did not succumb to provocations, and shackled the rebels. As soon as the squadron reached the territory of the Arab merchants, the journey turned into a pirate raid. Vasco da Gama deceived experienced pilots from the Sultan of Malindi. The Sultan concluded an agreement with the Portuguese aimed at the destruction of Sheikh Mombasa. But, having received guides, the treacherous da Gama simply plundered passing ships and fired at the coast.

The Arab pilot suggested the way to India, and in May 1498 the travelers reached the shores of the fabulous country. The ruler of Calicut treated the sailors kindly and hospitably. But the Arab merchants reported the zamorin about the pirate raids of the Portuguese and pointed out that the gifts brought were small. Therefore, local authorities arrested a hundred sailors walking around the city. Vasco da Gama was not at a loss and detained noble citizens who arrived on the ship to inspect European equipment.

The ruler of Calicut, fearing a cunning corsair, released the detainees. This was also facilitated by local merchants who wanted to expand trade routes to the Christian world. Having stuffed the bins with spices and spices, the ingenious schemer did not let the captives go and went to Return trip. After 20 days of the campaign, the Portuguese travelers met a ship on board which was attended by Admiral Goa. Vasco "convinced" the Jew by cruel torture to help attack the islands.

On the admiral's deck, the corsairs came close to the coast and robbed the ships anchored along the coast. 30 people were captured, and the rest were massacred. The journey home was difficult, as the sailors were decimated by scurvy. Da Gama's brother also fell ill. 55 people returned from a long journey, the rest died from diseases and fights with enemies. On September 18, 1499, Portuguese ships moored off the coast of Lisbon.

The goods and spices brought by the expedition 60 times paid off the cost of their own fees for the journey. The overjoyed king rewarded Vasco with a pension of 1,000 croissants and the title of "Admiral of the Indian Ocean". But these gifts did not satisfy the demands of the ambitious Portuguese. The brand of a bastard haunted, and the man sought to get rid of him, gaining the respect of his fellow citizens and the title of count.

In 1500, the next expedition headed by Pedro Alvaris set off for the shores of India. The man intended to build a trading settlement in Calicut, but Arab merchants prevented this. Under such incitement, the trading post was plundered and burned. Fleeing from the city, Pedro fired cannons at the coastal villages. War broke out between Portugal and India.

Second trip

Manuel I does not leave the dream of subjugating the "Golden Country" and sends the bloodthirsty Vasco da Gama on a second campaign. The goal of the company is to enslave India and establish a Portuguese colony. In 1502, a navigator with 20 ships sets off for the Indian Ocean. In October, the flotilla makes a stop at Kannanur, where the local rajah meets the conquerors with honors and generously bestows gifts.

On the way to Calicut, Vasco captured an Indian ship, ordered the captives to be locked up in the hold and the ship set on fire. The despot spared neither women nor children. The survivors were finished off in the water. Approaching the city, the corsair fired cannons at the coast. A flourishing settlement turned into ruins. Da Gama's team captured 800 Indians. The captives were tied up, their hands, noses, ears were cut off and their teeth were knocked out. After severe bullying, people were executed by shooting from cannons.

This became a full-fledged act of intimidation and satisfaction of the sadistic inclinations of Vasco da Gama. It is known that the corsair used people as targets for crossbowmen. The severed limbs of the executed were sent by the Portuguese to the Zamorina of the city, but he escaped without waiting for another bloodshed. The mothers and wives of the dead wandered along the shore, looking for the bodies of their relatives. With the tacit consent of Vasco, the Portuguese caught the women and raped them.

The sailors set up a trading post in the occupied territory, turning part of the peninsula into a Portuguese colony. In 1503 the conquerors returned to their native shores. The monarch again generously endowed the talented Vasco da Gama, but did not appropriate the coveted title of count. Then the famous corsair threatened to leave Portugal, as he did. Manuel I agreed with the arguments and appointed him Count of Vidigueira.

Personal life

The only thing known about the personal life of the bloody navigator is that he married a girl belonging to a noble family. The wife's name was Katarina di Ataidi. The noblewoman gave birth to Vasco six sons and a daughter.

Death

Before Vasco da Gama died, he made his last trip to India. By order of Juan III, the man left for the colony to restore order in the ranks of the administration, mired in corruption. But, having arrived at the place, he died of malaria in 1524. The son of the deceased delivered the body to Portugal.

The ashes were placed in the family crypt. In the 19th century, marauders plundered the burial. After that, it turned out that the remains of another person were buried in the tomb. The bones of Vasco da Gama were moved to Lisbon.

• Da Gama was illegitimate.
• Surprisingly, there is a city in Goa named after the navigator.
• Considered a national hero of Portugal.
• On campaigns, Vasco da Gama took a dozen criminals who were sent for reconnaissance.
• He used an astrolabe and a sextant.
• I drew a map of the Indian coast using meridians and parallels.
• The longest bridge in Europe is named after a sailor.
• The natives changed their red hats for ivory products.
• He advised the king to create a naval police in India.
• Traveler's photographs are printed on stamps and commemorative coins of Portugal.

Journey of Vasco da Gama

Vasco da Gama (born September 3, 1469 - death December 23, 1524), Portuguese navigator, first laid a route from Lisbon to India and back. Like most of his colleagues, he was engaged in piracy. Count Vidigueira (since 1519), Governor of Portuguese India, Viceroy of India (since 1524).

Origin

The famous Vasco da Gama sea ​​voyages who radically changed the political and economic situation in Europe and Asia, was born in 1469 in the small seaside town of Sines in the southernmost Portuguese province of Alemtejo. The Gama clan could not boast of either wealth or nobility, but it was old enough to serve the kings of Portugal from generation to generation. Vasco's ancestors included valiant warriors and even a royal standard-bearer. His father, Ishtevan da Gama, was the alcaidi (mayor) of Sines. And her mother, Isabella Sudre, had English earls among her ancestors. Vasco was their third son, he had two older brothers and a sister.

Childhood and youth

Despite the noble origin, the children of Gam closely communicated with the common people. The comrades of their games were the sons of fishermen and sailors. Vasco and his brothers learned early to swim, row, and knew how to handle fishing nets and sails. But in Sines it was impossible to get good education, therefore Vasco was sent to study in Evora, the favorite residence of the king. Here he studied mathematics and the intricacies of navigation.

We know that in youth the future discoverer sea ​​route to India, he took part in the siege of the Moroccan city of Tangier. There is an assumption that he made several sea expeditions along the African coast. Perhaps this is what made the royal court pay attention to him. Maybe there were other reasons. Be that as it may, Vasco was in the service of Juan II and was able to quickly advance.

According to the chronicle, even in his youth, the young man was distinguished by a firm, resolute character, a fair amount of temper and imperious habits.

Before traveling to India

The Portuguese and Spaniards are peoples related in language and culture. Portugal constantly competed with Spain in everything related to the discovery and development of new lands and sea routes. When at one time King Juan II refused, who offered to organize an expedition to find a western route to Asia, he apparently could not imagine that this persistent Genoese could achieve his goal under the flag Spanish kings. But now the "Western India" is open, routes have been laid to its shores, and Spanish caravels systematically ply between Europe and the new lands. The heirs of Juan II realized that they should hurry to consolidate their rights to East India. And already in 1497 they equipped an expedition to explore the sea route from Portugal to India - around Africa.

First trip to India (1497-1499)

The head of the expedition, at the choice of King Manuel I, was Vasco da Gama (the Portuguese pronounce “Vashka”), a young courtier of noble origin, who has not yet proven himself by anything other than the dashing capture of a caravan of French merchant ships. And although the king was offered the candidacy of such a famous navigator as Bartolomeu Dias, who in 1488 was the first to circumnavigate Africa from the south, passing the Cape of Good Hope he discovered, he gave preference to a young aristocrat with pirate inclinations. To the proposal of Manuel I to lead the expedition, Vasco da Gama replied: “I, sovereign, are your servant and will fulfill any order, even if it costs me my life.” Such assurances at that time were by no means given for the “red word” ...

Departure of Vasco da Gama to India

Vasco da Gama's flotilla consisted of four ships. These were two 150-ton ships - the flagship "San Gabriel" (captain Goncalo Aleares, an experienced sailor) and "San Rafael" (captain Paulo da Gama, brother of the admiral), as well as a light 70-ton caravel "Berriu" (Captain Nicolau Cuelho) and a transport ship with supplies. In total, under the command of Admiral da Gama, there were 168 people, including a dozen criminals specially released from prisons - they could be needed to carry out the most dangerous assignments. The chief navigator was the experienced sailor Pedro Alenquer, who had sailed with Bartolomeu Dias ten years earlier.

1497, July 8 - the flotilla left the harbor of Lisbon. Having passed without incident to Sierra Leone, Admiral da Gama, reasonably avoiding contrary winds and currents off the coast of the Equatorial and South Africa, headed southwest, and after the equator turned southeast. These maneuvers took about 4 months, and only on November 1, the Portuguese saw land in the east, and after 3 days they entered a wide bay, which they called St. Helena.

Having landed on the shore, the Portuguese sailors saw the Bushmen for the first time. This is a group of peoples, which is the oldest population of South and East Africa. The Bushmen are very different from most Negro tribes on the African continent - they are short, their skin color is rather swarthy than black, and there is some resemblance to the Mongoloids in their faces. These inhabitants of the bush bushes (hence the European name "Bushmen" - "people of the bush") have amazing abilities. They can stay in the desert for a long time without water supplies, as they extract it in ways unknown to other peoples.

Travelers tried to establish a “cultural exchange” with the Bushmen, offering them beads, bells and other trinkets, but the Bushmen turned out to be “insolvent” - they did not even have the most primitive clothes, and the Portuguese, who were armed with crossbows, did not need their primitive bows and arrows and firearms. In addition, because of the insult inflicted on the Bushman by some boorish sailor, there arose conflict situation, as a result of which several sailors were injured by stones and arrows. How many "bush people" the Europeans hit with crossbows remained unknown. And because no signs of gold and pearls were noticed among the Bushmen, the flotilla raised anchors and went further south.

Having rounded the southern tip of Africa, the Portuguese ships, moving to the northeast, at the end of December 1497 approached a high coast, to which da Gama gave the name Natal (“Christmas”). 1498, January 11 - the sailors landed on the shore, where they saw a lot of people who were very different from the African savages they knew. Among the sailors there was a translator from the Bantu language, and contact between two different civilizations was established. The Negroes met the Portuguese sailors very friendly. The land, which Vasco da Gama called "the country of good people", was inhabited by peasants and artisans. People here cultivated the land and mined ore, from which they smelted iron and non-ferrous metals, made iron knives and daggers, arrowheads and spearheads, copper bracelets, necklaces and other jewelry.

Moving further north, on January 25, the ships entered a wide bay, where several rivers flowed. Communicating with the locals, who received the Portuguese well, and noticing the presence of objects of clearly Indian origin, the admiral concluded that the flotilla was approaching India. I happened to stay there - the ships needed repairs, and people, many of whom had scurvy, needed treatment and rest. The Portuguese for a whole month stood at the mouth of the Kwakwa River, which turned out to be the northern arm of the Zambezi Delta.

Mozambique and Mombasa

Vasco da Gama in India

In the end, the flotilla, completely ready for sailing, headed northeast and on March 2 reached the island of Mozambique. Here the lands of the "wild" tribes ended and the rich world began, which was controlled by the Arab Muslims. Until the arrival of the Portuguese, all trade in the Indian Ocean was concentrated in their hands. To communicate with the Arabs, remarkable diplomatic skills were needed, which Gama, alas, did not possess. It was from that moment that his ardor, lack of tact and prudence, senseless cruelty began to appear.

At first, the sheikh and the people of Mozambique were tolerant of the Portuguese sailors. They mistook them for Muslims, but were dissatisfied with the gifts that Vasco tried to give to the sheikh who arrived on the ship. It was rubbish that no one needed, and the eastern rulers were accustomed to a different attitude. It soon became known that people from ships unusual for Arabs were Christians. Tensions mounted, and on March 11 the Portuguese were attacked. The attack was repelled, but the team, which had been significantly reduced after the scurvy epidemic, did not have the strength for a decisive battle. I had to hastily leave the inhospitable shore.

On April 7, the Portuguese arrived in Mombasa, but soon, without entering the harbor, they were forced to leave it too, having learned about the intention of the Mombasa king to seize ships and take the crew prisoner (information was obtained from hostages who were tortured with boiling oil). Eight miles from the harbor, the enraged Portuguese captured a barge loaded with gold, silver and provisions.

Malindi

On April 14, the fleet approached Malinda, a wealthy Muslim city. The local sheikh was at enmity with the ruler of Mozambique and was glad to make an alliance with Gama. In response to signs of attention from the ruler, the Portuguese sent him a truly “royal gift”: a monastic cassock, two strings of corals, three hats, basins for washing hands, bells and two pieces of cheap striped cloth. In another situation, the sheikh might not have tolerated such disrespect, but now he was afraid uninvited guests and agreed to give a skilled pilot, who was needed for further navigation. They became Ahmed ibn Majida, who bore the Arabic-Sanskrit nickname Malemo Kana - "leading by the stars." With his help, in mid-May 1498, the expedition reached the Malabar coast. The ships anchored near the largest Indian city of Calicut (Kozhikode). The long-awaited sea route to India was explored.

Calicut (India)

The local ruler, Samorin, who was interested in the development of trade with any countries, including Christian ones, received the envoy of Gama cordially. But Gama's further behavior heated up the situation.

On May 28, the commander of the Portuguese, accompanied by 30 people, went on a date with Samorin. The Portuguese were struck by the luxurious furnishings of the palace, the expensive clothes of the king and courtiers. Nevertheless, Vasco, not feeling the difference between the tribal leaders of Africa and the Samorin, was about to present him miserable gifts: 12 pieces of the same striped rough cloth, several caps and hats, 4 threads of coral, basins for washing hands, a box of sugar, two each barrel of butter and honey.

Seeing this, one of the royal dignitaries laughed contemptuously and declared that even poor merchants presented more expensive gifts to the Samorin. The king must be presented with gold, but he simply will not accept such objects. The incident that happened quickly became known both in the palace and in the city. This was immediately taken advantage of by Muslim merchants, who saw the Portuguese as dangerous competitors. They set the already offended Samorin against the guests, convincing him that cruel, bloody pirates had arrived in Calicut, fortunately, they had already heard rumors about the events in Mozambique and the capture of an Arab ship.

The next day, the ruler kept the delegation in the waiting room for several hours, and when they met, he behaved coldly. As a result, Gama failed to obtain permission to establish a Portuguese trading post here. With difficulty, the Portuguese were able to exchange goods for spices. And on October 5, sailors, having taken six hostages to show them to their king, left Indian waters.

Homecoming

Opening of the sea route to India

By the already familiar route, by September 1499, they were able to reach their native port, having lost two ships and 105 out of 160 crew members. Among the dead was the only person dearly loved by Vasco, his brother Paulo. He died of consumption. The hero of the Indian voyage took this loss extremely hard. Some of the historians report that for 9 days he grieved all alone and did not want to see anyone.

Unfortunately, many of the documents covering the events after Gama's arrival in Portugal perished during the terrible Lisbon earthquake of 1755. However, there can be no doubt that both the king and fellow citizens met travelers with great honor and rejoicing. In honor of the epoch-making event, a gold coin was minted, called the "Portuguese", worth 10 crusades.

Vasco da Gama became a national hero overnight, and deservedly so. It was thanks to his will, energy and assertiveness that the expedition was able to complete all the tasks assigned to it and return back. The team loved, but also terrified of the frantic and cruel leader. His furrowed brows threw the sailors into a panic, whose actions he was unhappy with. But these were desperate people who spent their whole lives on sea voyages. The king showered the hero of the Indian campaign with awards. The city of Sines was transferred to his possession, and benefits were granted for trade with India. He and his descendants were given the title of don and a pension. He became officially known as "Admiral of the Indian Ocean". However, the traveler himself, being greedy and greedy, remained dissatisfied.

Only a few facts are known about the period of Gama's life between the first and second trips. For example, the fact that at this time he married Donna Catarina di Ataidi. From this marriage he had six sons - Francisco, Ishtevan, Pedro, Paulo, Krishtovan, Alvarou - as well as a daughter, Isabella.

Second voyage to India (1502-1503)

The following year, the expedition of Pedro Alvaris Cabral set off along the same path. Several years passed, and King Manuel, not satisfied with the Indian expeditions of Cabral and João da Nova, decided to send large fleet. Vasco da Gama was assigned to command them.

The fleet consisted of 10 ships. Another 10, part of 2 auxiliary fleets, was commanded by close relatives of the admiral. This time the expedition was completely different. Probably, the pirate experience near Mombasa was not in vain. By order of the king, it was necessary to take goods by force if they could not be obtained peacefully. Spices had to be paid for in gold and silver, which Portugal, like any other of European countries, in those days did not have enough for this. This was the beginning of the Portuguese colonial expansion.

During a pirate raid, the flotilla forced the rulers of Mozambique and Kilwa to pay tribute, burned and plundered merchant ships, destroyed the Arab fleet and the city of Calicut, forced the cities of the western Indian coast to recognize the supreme power of the Portuguese and pay tribute.

Among the particularly bloody atrocities of Gama is the capture of a Calicut ship, which had 380 passengers. Gama gave the order to lock them all in the hold and burned the ship along with the captives. When the ship caught fire, the unfortunate people were able to escape onto the deck. Men knocked down the flames with axes, and women with children in their arms begged to spare the kids and offered their gold jewelry. The admiral was unshakable. He ordered the ship to be boarded and set on fire again. Then the flagship, like a kite, followed the dying ship, not allowing anyone to escape, and Gama, with a stone face, watched the heartbreaking scenes taking place on board the victim ship.

No less horrifying were the events that unfolded when the fleet approached Calicut. Here, many fishing boats sailed up to the ships. The admiral ordered to seize about 30 fishermen. They were immediately hung on rails. The bodies were removed at night. They cut off the arms, legs and heads of the corpses, threw them into the boat, and threw the bodies overboard. Soon they were washed ashore. The terrible contents of the boat were dumped on the shore, and a note was attached to the heap on Arabic. It was written that an even more terrible fate would befall the entire city if it resisted. The admiral performed such actions not in a fit of anger, but with deliberate and cold cruelty.

The expedition brought huge profits. Vasco da Gama received the title of Count of Vidigueira, and in 1524 he was appointed Viceroy of India.

Third expedition to India and death (1524)

The new governor went to India at the head of a large squadron of 16 ships. In the completely conquered Cochin, Vasco da Gama founded the administrative center. But he did not have time to show his administrative abilities, because in the same year, on December 24, he died in Cochin. His body was taken to Portugal and buried with honor in Vidigueira.

Portugal highly appreciated the deeds of Vasco da Gama. 50 years after his death, the poet Luis de Camões sang them in the epic poem The Louisiades. In the literature of the 16th century, he is presented as a bold leader and fearless administrator. At a glance modern man, as historian J. Baker writes, “he was cruel and stubborn. He did not hesitate to douse the interrogated hostages with boiling oil; did not hesitate to throw three hundred dead and dying people with their wives and children into the open sea to the mercy of the elements; on his orders, disobedient Portuguese women were driven with rods through the streets of one of the Indian cities.

At the same time, he fraternally shared all the difficulties and hardships with the crew, and once during an earthquake, by a courageous appeal to his people, he prevented panic. If, as viceroy, he proved to be cruel, he struck both the Indians and the Portuguese by categorically refusing to accept any gifts and jealously making sure that he was respected.

The results of the main discovery of Vasco da Gama were enormous - both from a scientific, and from a political and economic point of view. Thanks to him, the outlines of Africa became finally known. The Indian Ocean, previously considered an inland sea, was transferred to the category of oceans.
Spices now began to enter Europe without intermediaries. The centuries-old dominance of the Arabs in trade in the Middle East ended. Venice and Genoa, which had flourished until that time, fell into decline. The transformation of Portugal into one of the main colonial powers of the 16th century began.

Vasco da Gama- the famous navigator from Portugal, who is most directly related to the era of the great geographical discoveries. During his life, he managed to do a lot of things that allowed him to remain in the annals of history. Many people want to know what Vasco da Gama discovered.

In his native Portuguese, the name of this navigator sounds like Vasco da Gama. He lived, according to various sources, from 1460 or 1469, and died almost at the very end of 1524. During this time, he repeatedly sailed to India, thanks to which he gained his fame.

Key facts of the biography

The origin of Vasco was, to some extent, noble. He is the third of the five sons of the knight Estevan de Gama. In addition to himself, his brother, Paulo de Gama, also took part in the famous voyages to India.

Although this surname was not very noble, it still had weight, since some of the ancestors of this family served King Afonso the third, and also showed themselves well in battles with the Moors. It was thanks to these battles that one of the ancestors received the title of knight.

Despite the fact that Vasco da Gama was born in the city of Sines, researchers believe that he received enough education major city Evore, which is located near Lisbon. It is also believed that one of his teachers was the famous astronomer, the first person to construct an astrolabe from metal, Abraham Ben Shmuel Zacuto.

Even from his youth, Vasco turned his gaze to the open spaces of the sea - he participated in battles, captured French ships by order of the king. It was thanks to these events that the world first heard about the existence of the future famous navigator.

In those days, many people tried to find a sea route to India. The fact is that Portugal did not have convenient routes that would allow her to trade with other countries. Export problems and some other aspects made finding a way the real task of the century. This allows us to understand what Vasco da Gama discovered.

What did Vasco da Gama discover?

The main reason why the name of Vasco da Gama is known to almost everyone, even after so many years, is that he managed to find a sea route to India. Of course, at first people sought to find a route on land - many bright personalities were sent by the king to go around Africa.

By 1487, Peru da Covilhã managed to do what was required of him. He even managed to report it to Portugal. However, around the same period, the favorite son of the king, who was supposed to inherit the throne, died. Deep grief did not give Juan the second opportunity to take up the land route tightly. Fortunately, this allowed Vasco da Gama to act.

By the time the king stopped paying attention to almost everything, much had already been done to prepare for sea ​​expedition. Bartolomeu Dias, who knew the route around Africa, on the orders of Juan, gave the team all the information about what kind of vessel is required to sail in such waters. As a result, Vasco da Gama's expedition had four ships at its disposal:

• san gabriel,
• San Rafael, on which the navigator's brother, Paul, was located,
• Berriu,
• Supply ship.

In addition to water and provisions, the ships were loaded with quite a large number of weapons, including blades, pikes, crossbows and halberds. In addition, part of the crew had protective leather breastplates, and the highest ranks wore metal cuirasses. Falconets and cannons were installed on the ships.

What did Vasco da Gama do on his journey?

The start date of the famous sea expedition to India is considered eighth of July 1497. The ships solemnly left Lisbon and began their long voyage. On November 4, the ships reached the bay, which Vasco named Saint Helena. Here he was wounded by local residents with an arrow in the leg.

By the time the expedition rounded the Cape of Good Hope, the ship carrying supplies had fallen into disrepair, and a significant part of the crew had died of scurvy. This ship was burned, and provisions were distributed among the remaining three.

After that, Vasco da Gama visited Mozambique and Mombasa, where he had a conflict with the local sultan, and then got to Malindi, where he managed to get himself a new local pilot. Thanks to him and the associated monsoons, the ships were brought to the shores of India. May 20, 1498- the day when the expedition reached the desired lands.

Results of the first voyage

So, what and when did Vasco da Gama discover? Thanks to his expedition, by the middle of 1498 he discovered a sea route to India. However, the results of this undertaking were far from being as rosy as the navigator would like.

Initially, the route was sought in order to start international trade, but everything that Vasco brought to Indian lands I didn’t like it either zamorirnu or simple local residents . These goods were not sold, and duties and payments led to disputes with the Portuguese. As a result, the disappointed navigator was forced to start the return journey.

This period was especially difficult for the expedition. A lot of troubles and hardships fell on Vasco da Gama and his crew. In the end, only two ships and a very small number of people managed to return. However, this did not prevent the navigator from receiving first the title of Don, and then the Admiral of the Indian Ocean.

Various events took place in Vasco's life after the expedition. He quarreled with the knights of his own order and joined the rival Order of Christ. Then he found himself a wife, Catarina di Ataidi, who was the daughter of Alvor, part famous family Almeida.

Further voyages

After a relatively successful return to the native lands of Vasco da Gama, voyages to India have become almost annual. They had both positive and negative results, but, in the end, the famous navigator himself made several more expeditions to an exotic country.

The second voyage is determined in 1502-1503, and the third happened much later. This was due to the political situation in Portugal. When Vasco da Gama was already fifty-four years old, João III decided to give him the title of Viceroy. However, in 1524, the third voyage to India began, in which the sons of Gama, Eshtevan and Paul, also participated.

When the navigator arrived at the place, he closely dealt with the issue of abuses in the local administration, but did not manage to achieve any significant results, since On December 24 of the same year, he died of malaria that struck him.. Subsequently, the body was brought back to home country, and buried in the Lisbon monastery near Santa Maria de Belen.

The search for a sea route to India was very important for Portugal. important task. A country located away from the main trade routes of that time could not fully participate in world trade. Exports were small, and the valuable goods of the East had to be bought by the Portuguese at very high prices. Wherein geographical position Portugal was very much in favor of discoveries on the western coast of Africa and attempts to find a sea route to the “land of spices”.

In 1488, Bartolomeu Dias discovered the Cape of Good Hope, circled Africa and entered the Indian Ocean. After that, he had to turn back, as the sailors demanded a return to Portugal. Based on the discoveries of Dias, King João II was about to send a new expedition. However, preparations for it dragged on and got off the ground only after the accession to the throne of Manuel I in 1495.

The head of the new expedition was not Bartolomeu Dias, but Vasco da Gama, who at that time was 28 years old. He was born in the Portuguese seaside town of Sines and belonged to an old aristocratic family. He had at his disposal two heavy ships, the San Gabriel and the San Rafael, a light fast ship, the Berriu, and a transport ship with supplies. The crew of all ships reached 140-170 people.

2 Swimming

The ships passed by the Canary Islands, separated in the fog and gathered at the Cape Verde Islands. The journey was hampered by headwinds. Vasco da Gama turned to the southwest and, a little before reaching Brazil, thanks to a fair wind, managed to reach the Cape of Good Hope in the most convenient way. On November 22, the flotilla rounded the cape and entered unfamiliar waters.

At Christmas, the ships entered the bay, which was called the Harbor of Christmas (port of Natal). At the end of January 1498, the expedition reached the mouth of the Zambezi River, where it stayed for about a month, repairing ships.

Moving further along east coast Africa, March 2, the Portuguese reached Mozambique. Here began the territories controlled by the Arabs. Vasco da Gama had enough interpreters, so that the further navigation took place along a route that was quite understandable for the Portuguese: they knew the distances, the main ports where they had to stop.

3 India

In a wealthy Somali city, Melinda Gama managed to negotiate with the sheikh, and he provided him with a pilot. With his help, the expedition reached India in May 1498. The ships stopped at the city of Calicut (Kozhikode). The local ruler - zamorin - cordially received the ambassador of the Portuguese captain. However, Gama sent gifts to the ruler that had no value, relations between him and the ruler cooled, and the situation in the city, on the contrary, escalated to the limit. Muslim merchants turned the townspeople against the Portuguese. The ruler did not give Vasco da Gama permission to establish a trading post.

On August 9, before leaving, da Gama turned to the Zamorin with a letter, in which he recalled the promise to send an embassy to Portugal and asked him to send several bags of spices as a gift to the king. However, the ruler of Calicut in response demanded payment of customs duties. He ordered the arrest of several Portuguese, accusing them of espionage. In turn, Vasco da Gama took hostage several noble Calicutians who visited the courts. When the Zamorin returned the Portuguese and part of the goods, Vasco da Gama sent half of the hostages ashore, and took the rest with him. On August 30, the squadron set off on its return journey.

The way back was not easy. On January 2, 1499, the sailors of da Gama saw the Somali port of Mogadishu. In September 1499, Vasco da Gama returned to his homeland a hero, although he lost two ships and two-thirds of the crew, including his beloved brother Paulo.

4 Second voyage to India. departure

Immediately after the opening of the sea route to India, the Portuguese kingdom began to organize annual expeditions there. An expedition in 1500, led by Pedro Alvares Cabral, concluded a trade agreement with the Zamorin of Calicut and established a trading post there. But the Portuguese came into conflict with the Arab merchants of Calicut, the trading post was burned, and Cabral sailed out of the city, firing at him with cannons.

Vasco da Gama was again appointed head of a new large expedition, equipped after the return of Cabral. Part of the flotilla (15 ships out of 20) left Portugal in February 1502.

5 Swimming

Beyond the equator, probably for the purpose of reconnaissance, Gama went, not moving far from land, along the coasts of Arabia and North-West India to the Gulf of Cambay, and from there turned south.

At Kannanur, Gama's ships attacked an Arab ship sailing from Jeddah (the harbor of Mecca) to Calicut with valuable cargo and 400 passengers, mostly pilgrims. Having plundered the ship, Gama ordered the sailors to lock the crew and passengers in the hold, among whom were many old men, women and children, and the bombardiers to set fire to the ship.

6 India

Having made an alliance with the ruler of Kannanur, Gama moved a flotilla against Calicut at the end of October. He began by hanging 38 fishermen on yardarms, who offered fish to the Portuguese, and bombarded the city. At night, he ordered to remove the corpses, cut off the heads, arms and legs, dump the bodies into the boat. Gama attached a letter to the boat saying that this would be the fate of all citizens if they resisted. The tide washed the boat and the stumps of the corpses ashore. The next day, Gama again bombarded the city, plundered and burned a cargo ship approaching it. Leaving seven ships to blockade Calicut, he sent two other ships to Kannanur for spices, and with the rest went for the same cargo to Cochin.

After two "victorious" skirmishes near Calicut with Arab ships, Vasco da Gama in February 1503 led the ships back to Portugal, where he arrived in October with a cargo of spices of great value. After this success, Gama's pension and other incomes were significantly increased, and later he received the title of count.

7 Third voyage

In 1505, King Manuel I, on the advice of Vasco da Gama, established the position of Viceroy of India. Successive Francisco d'Almeida and Affonso d'Albuquerque strengthened Portugal's power on Indian soil and in the Indian Ocean with cruel measures. However, after the death of Albuquerque in 1515, his successors began to cope with their tasks much worse, thinking more about personal enrichment.

The king of Portugal, João III, decided to appoint the 54-year-old harsh and incorruptible Vasco da Gama as the second viceroy. In April 1524, the admiral sailed from Portugal. Vasco da Gama was accompanied by two sons - Estevan da Gama and Paulo da Gama.

8 India. Death

Immediately upon his arrival in India, da Gama took firm action against the abuse colonial administration. But on December 24, 1524, Vasco da Gama died of malaria in Cochin.