Vasco de Gama is one of world’s most famous travelers and explorers. He was born in 1460 in Sines, Alentejo, Portugal and died in 1524 in Kochi, India. He is among the most famous European explorers connected to the Age of Discovery. He was the first leader of an expedition of ship to make the trip from Europe to India.

He was born in the fishermen settlement of Sines on the southwestern coastline of Portugal . His father, Estevo de Gama was a knight belonging to the retinue of the Duke of Viseu. He was appointed by him to be the governor of Sines. His mother was also from a known noble family having blood relations to the Prince Diogo who was the son of the British King Edward I.

Vasco de Gama studies mathematics, astronomy and navigation in his early life. In 1492 he was ordered by the Portuguese king to seize French ship is a local port as retaliation for French actions against Portuguese interests.

His first voyage started in 1497 when he had four ships and 170 men under his command. His trip took him around the Cape of Africa and to India. Approximately 55 men returned and two of the ships were lost. On his way to the Cape of Good Hope he stopped in Mozambique and attempted to trade. Then, his fleet pirated Arabic trade vessels in Mombasa, modern Kenya. The fleet arrived in Calicut, India in 1498. He has strained relations with the local ruler and had to leave quickly. Nevertheless, the fleet returned met success beyond any expectations and returned with cargo 6 times the cost of the expedition.

His second expedition was in 1502 when he commanded the forth Portuguese expedition to India. This time he had 15 ships and 800 men. The objective was to defend royal interests in the east. His whole voyage was full of acts of piracy and uncalled cruelty against Muslim traders and travelers. When he arrived in Calicut he demanded that the local rulers expel all Muslims form the city and when turned down bombarded the city.

He made another two voyages to India. There, he earned the honorary title of count and the reputation of fixer of Indian problems for the crown. He died in the city of Cochin in 1524 from malaria.
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