Vasco da Gama

Vasco da Gama was a Portuguese navigator who sailed around the Cape of Good Hope and into the Indian Ocean between 1497 and 1498.

Da Gama discovered a world of trade that was dominated by Muslims.

Arab fleets transported ivory and gold from East Africa to southwest India's Malabar coast. They brought pepper from India, cinnamon from Ceylon and spices from Indonesia to Europe.

Da Gama arrived at Calicut, or Kozhikode, a thriving port on the Malabar coast, on May 21, 1948.

He was enthroned on a palanquin when he arrived. Drums were beating, flags were waving and guns boomed in salute.

Da Gama and his men were brought to a Hindu temple. They mistook it for a Christian church. They thought that statues of Hindu goddesses were statues of the Virgin Mary and began worshipping in front of them. The Hindus were offended by this.

The ruler of Calicut, a Hindu Samorin, granted Da Gama an audience with him.

A chronicler of Da Gama's voyage recorded that the Samorin held a large golden cup, which could hold close to ten pints, in his left hand. A large basin of gold stood at the Samorin's right side.

The Samorin was clearly insulted by the gifts that Da Gama brought, which were probably a piece of coral, a hat and some copper bowls and bells.

Da Gama had been trying to negotiate a treaty, but after the Portuguese's behavior in the temple and Da Gama's offering of paltry gifts, his negotiations were hopeless.

The Hindus argued with Da Gama for months until he sailed for home on August 29, 1498.

Only one third of Da Gama's original crew of 170 arrived to see Portugal again.

Da Gama arrived in Portugal in early September 1499. He received a hero's welcome and was given the title Admiral of the Seas of the Indies.

He set forth on a second voyage on Febuary 10, 1502.  This time, he had a large fleet which was divided into three squadrons.  He wanted to punish the Samorin, and he did this by destroying Calicut with Portuguese artillery.  Da Gama also wanted to plunder Arab shipping in the Indian Ocean and ensure Portugal's trading supermacy there.