First voyage to India

Vasco da Gama · 1497 CE – 1499 CE · Earth

Open the sea route to India around Africa.

Historical context

Portugal wanted to reach the spice markets by sea and break the Venetian–Mamluk monopoly. Da Gama's arrival at Calicut opened an ocean empire — and a century of naval war in the Indian Ocean.

The voyage, step by step

1. Lisbon to the Cape

   1497 CE

   Da Gama sails to round Africa and open the sea route to the spice markets.

2. Rounding the Cape

   1498 CE

   The fleet rounds the Cape of Good Hope into the Indian Ocean.

3. A pilot at Malindi

   1498 CE

   On the East African coast he takes on a pilot who knows the monsoon route.

4. Calicut reached

   1498 CE

   Da Gama reaches India, breaking the Venetian-Arab monopoly of the spice trade.

Outcome

Reached Calicut and returned to Portugal.

Vasco da Gama

Portuguese navigator who opened the sea route from Europe to India around Africa.

Read on Wikipedia

Sources

• Vasco da Gama — Wikipedia

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