Vasco Da Gama
                     VASCO DA GAMA
Introduction
Portuguese explorer Vasco da 
Gama was commissioned by the 
Portuguese king to find a maritime 
route to the East. He was the first 
person to sail directly from Europe 
to India.
Source: www.biography.com
Who Was Vasco Da 
Gama?
In 1497, explorer Vasco da Gama 
was commissioned by the 
Portuguese king to find a maritime 
route to the East. His success in 
doing so proved to be one of the 
more instrumental moments in 
the history of navigation. 
Source: www.biography.com
Early Years
Da Gama was born into a noble 
family around 1460 in Sines, 
Portugal. 
Little is known about his 
upbringing except that he was the 
third son of Estêvão da Gama, 
who was commander of the 
fortress in Sines in the 
southwestern pocket of Portugal. 
Source: www.biography.com
Early Years Cont.
Known as a tough and fearless 
navigator, da Gama solidified his 
reputation as a reputable sailor 
when, in 1492, King John II of 
Portugal dispatched him to the 
south of Lisbon and then to the 
Algarve region of the country, to 
seize French ships as an act of 
vengeance against the French 
government for disrupting 
Portuguese shipping.
Source: www.biography.com
First Voyage
Historians know little about why 
exactly da Gama, still an 
inexperienced explorer, was 
chosen to lead the expedition to 
India in 1497. 
On July 8 of that year, he 
captained a team of four vessels, 
including his flagship, the 200-ton 
St. Gabriel, to find a sailing route 
to India and the East.
Source: www.biography.com
Second Voyage
When da Gama returned to 
Lisbon, he was greeted as a hero. 
In an effort to secure the trade 
route with India and usurp Muslim 
traders, Portugal dispatched 
another team of vessels, headed 
by Pedro Álvares Cabral. 
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Journey to India
In 1502, da Gama helmed another 
journey to India that included 20 
ships. Ten of the ships were 
directly under his command, with 
his uncle and nephew helming the 
others. 
In the wake of Cabral's success 
and battles, the king charged da 
Gama to further secure Portugal's 
dominance in the region.
Source: www.biography.com
Later Years 
Little was recorded about da 
Gama's return home and the 
reception that followed, though it 
has been speculated that the 
explorer felt miffed at the 
recognition and compensation for 
his exploits.
Source: www.biography.com
Death
In 1524, King John III named da 
Gama Portuguese viceroy in India.
That same year, da Gama died in 
Cochin — the result, it has been 
speculated, from possibly 
overworking himself.
Source: www.biography.com
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