The Portuguese navigator and discoverer of Vasco da Gama was an interesting person. A brave and fearless man, he, apparently, had a very selective system of values, so his services in the eyes of Europeans often turned into troubles for the residents of those lands that he visited. But one cannot but admit the fact that he really opened up many new lands for European countries and made a huge contribution to the development of geography.
Brave Portuguese first in the world passed by sea from Europe to India. It was this sea route that Christopher Columbus was looking for, who discovered America as a result. The ancestors of Vasco da Gama were knights close to the royal dynasty of Portugal. One of the cities of India is called Vasco da Gama in honor of this discoverer. Vasco da Gama’s family had six children, five boys and one girl. One of his brothers participated in the Indian expedition with him. While still very young, Vasco da Gama actively participated in naval battles. Contemporaries described him as an absolutely fearless person.
Ships for the Indian expedition da Gama were built specifically for this campaign. However, Portugal has always been famous for its success in the maritime business. Vasco da Gama expedition prepared well for the sea voyage around Africa. All four ships were armed, loaded with supplies, and on board were translators who knew Arabic, as well as some native languages of African peoples. During the first landing on the African coast, Vasco da Gama was attacked by local natives. As a result, he was wounded by an arrow in the foot. In Mozambique, the local sultan received the Portuguese rather coolly, and local traders did not appreciate the quality of goods brought by the Portuguese for trade. Then Vasco da Gama, fearing trouble, hastily sailed, finally ordering shelling of the coastal villages. The Portuguese discoverer sometimes behaved like a pirate. On the way to India he met a Arab merchant ship on board, he boarded it and plundered it. During the first Indian expedition of Vasco da Gama only one of the four ships was lost. The remaining three successfully reached the shores of the country of spices after more than 10 months of swimming.
Indians also did not appreciate the goods from Portugal. Despite the fact that the local ruler was well received by Vasco da Gam and gave the nod to the opening of a trading post, the Portuguese decided to return home, and in order not to do this empty-handed, he took several dozen local residents before leaving. For his merits, the Portuguese king granted Vasco da Gama a unique title “Admiral of the Indian Ocean”. All in all, Gama sailed three times to India on the same road. After the third voyage, he remained there, being appointed vice-king of the region. The King of Portugal personally asked Vasco da Gamu to occupy this important post, since the navigator enjoyed the fame of an absolutely incorruptible person.
In the course of all three of his Indian expeditions, Vasco da Gama piracy, and usually ordered to kill all the prisoners. Once he ordered the looted merchant ship to be burned along with the crew left on board. Despite the fact that the Indian ruler, to whose land Portuguese ships moored, warmly welcomed the guests, as a result, Vasco da Gama. returning with considerable strength, he conquered his lands by force. Arab traders, who were present at the first meeting of the Portuguese Rajah in India, warned the latter, saying that yes Gama was more a pirate than an official ambassador. Already as the vice-king of India, Vasco da Gama died of malaria. His body was transported back to Portugal. He has seven children left.
