Global exploration started with the Portuguese discovery of the east. With the fall of Constantinople in 1453, there was an urgent need to find alternate trade routes.
However, the only way to travel from Europe to India was over land which was a long and expensive trip. Indian commodities such as spices, cotton, semi–precious stones, and perfumes were popular in European countries. Many lands previously unknown to Europeans were discovered during this period. Known as the Age of Discovery, the period of 15 th Century is marked with extensive overseas exploration that emerged as a powerful factor in European culture. India soon became a market for the western countries. The arrival of Portuguese in India encouraged many other European countries to sail eastwards. It was on 20 th May 1498 Portuguese sailor Vasco da Gama set foot on the west coast of India.
Vasco da Gama sailed south and east and found what the others were looking for. While Christopher Columbus sailed west, looking for the India. 12 February 2014.Coins of the World, Interesting Facts, Notes of India, Notes of the World, Stamps of India Age of Discovery, Discovery of India, Expedition of Vasco ds Gama to India, First European power sailed to India, Vasco ds Gama Coins, Vasco ds Gama Notes, Vasco ds Gama stamps, Voyages of Vasco ds Gama Team Mintage World "Vasco da Gama." The Catholic Encyclopedia. We see the significance of his exploration in all of the things named after him. He left a substantial mark on history and made a huge impact for the Portuguese at that time. His first voyage was a success, but his second voyage failed. Vasco da Game was the first person to travel to India from Portugal. A town is named after him in Goa along with a crater on the moon. African coast of where Vasco da Gama landed during his expedition. The King ended up refusing Gama’s offer of letting a factor stay behind in charge of the. The Muslim traders tried to persuade the King that he was a common pirate. With only minimal gifts the King wasn’t impressed. He met with the King of Calicut, the Samudiri. Finally, he made it to Calicut, India on. He approached Mombasa and Malindi but was met with hostility because of Muslim tentions between Christians. The ship travelled over 6000 miles in three months which was the longest journey without a sight of land for that time. He travelled along the African coast on mapped routes but then traveled out into the open ocean seeking the South Atlantic Westerlies which he found. This success was what lead John II to appoint Gama a fleet of four ships to discover a route from Portugal to India through the Indian Ocean. He carried out this mission effectively and swiftly. John II sent him to the port of Setubal and to the Algarve to seize French ships for their retaliations against Portugal’s shipping. The master of the order was Prince John who would take the throne in 1481 as King John II of Portugal as a devoted member, Gama’s prospects rose accordingly.
Around 1480 he followed his father and joined the Order of Santiago. Little is known about his early life ,but it is thought that he studied in a town called Evora. Vasco da Gama was born in Sines around 1465. He has a fascinating history, major contribution to world expedition, and has multiple places named after him. Have you ever heard of the city Vasco da Gama in Goa? How about the crater on the moon named Vasco da Gama? He was a Portuguese explorer who stole the spice trade from the Muslims and brought great wealth to his country.