Vasco da Gama (c.1460 - 1524)

Da Gama was born in about 1460 into a noble, soldiering family. Little is known of his early life, but in 1492 King John II of Portugal sent him to the port of Setϊbal to seize French ships in retaliation for French peacetime raids against Portuguese shipping. His career as an explorer began after his father was chosen to lead an expedition to open the sea route to Asia and to outflank the Muslims, who enjoyed a monopoly of trade with India and other eastern states. Vasco took command when his father died and sailed from Lisbon in July 1497. He arrived at Calicut the following year, via Natal, Mozambique and Mombasa. Initially welcomed by the Zamorin (Hindu ruler) of Calicut, tension gradually mounted and da Gama left at the end of August. They arrived back in Lisbon in September, where he received titles, estates and an annual pension.

Following a massacre of Portuguese expatriates in Calicut by local Hindus, following Muslim incitement, a new fleet was sent to establish Portuguese control. Command was given to da Gama, who set sail in February 1502. On arriving at Calicut, he seized an Arab ship carrying merchandise and hundreds of passengers, including women and children. After taking the cargo, da Gama locked the passengers into the captured ship and set it alight, killing them all.

He then formed an alliance with the ruler of Cannanore, an enemy of the Zamorin, before sailing to Calicut, where he demanded that the Muslims be banished from the port. To underline his demands, he bombarded the port and killed 38 Hindu fishermen who had sailed out to trade with his ships. He then sailed to the port of Cochin and formed an alliance with the local ruler. A brief but victorious battle with Arab ships preceded the fleet`s departure home, in February 1503.

On his return home, da Gama was eventually granted further privileges and revenues and continued to advise the King on Indian matters. In 1519, he was created count of Vidigueira and, in 1524, was nominated as Portuguese viceroy in India. Arriving in Goa, he fell ill and died in December 1524.