Vasco Da Gama

           Vasco Da Gama is a very interesting person. He made many trips to India. He accomplished a lot. He is a very brave person. His major accomplishment is that he sailed around the tip of Africa and into India. He did this 3 times. This was very amazing. Many people back then didn’t have the guts to go this far do to the severe weather. Da Gama accomplished this and people were astonished. In this essay you will learn more about Da Gama. This was just a sneak peek about Da Gama!     

          Vasco Da Gama was a Portuguese explorer who discovered a sea route from Portugal to the east. He was born around the 1460’s. He was born into a dignified family in Sines, Portugal. Da Gama’s father Estavao was also an explorer. He made the voyage from Portugal to India that made his son famous. Da Gama sailed from Lisbon, Portugal, on July 1497 heading to the east. People thought Da Gama was never going to make it because they assumed that the Indian Ocean wasn’t connected to any other sea. Da Gama had a supporter of his named King Manuel I of Portugal.

           On November 22 Da Gama went around the Cape of Good Hope of Africa and continued his way to India.  Da Gama made many stops in Africa and encountered many Muslim traders who didn’t want any meddling in there trade routes. Later Da Gama reached Calicut, India on May 20, 1498. Da Gama didn’t really get a whole lot of things. Before he left he had to pay an immense tax and leave all of his trading goods. When Da Gama was about to leave he took his goods and took some Indian hostages with him.

           Da Gama returned back to Lisbon, Portugal in September, 1499. In his way back to Portugal many of his crew members died from scurvy. He was rewarded by the king and was treated as a hero. King Manuel I of Portugal sent Da Gama on another expedition to India. In this expedition Da Gama took 20 armed ships {anticipating troubles from Muslim traders}.In this voyage Da Gama killed hundreds of Muslims to show off his power. After King Manuel's death, King John III sent King Manuel's death on another voyage to India. Unfortunately Da Gama died of an illness in India on December 24, 1524. His remains were sent back to Portugal to burial.    

           Vasco Da Gama was a very interesting person. Unfortunately he died in India. He made three voyages to India. He had a strong supporter whom is King Manuel. Da Gama accomplished a lot in life. He became a very famous person. He was called a hero. He sailed around Africa and into Asia. No one thought he could survive this voyage due to the horrible weather. Some of his men died due to scurvy but he managed to survive. I had gratification learning about Da Gama and I hope you did to. Thank you!