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Alphabetical Order
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On May 20, 1498, da Gama reached Calicut, India. But the Indian ruler felt insulted because he thought the gifts da Gama had brought him were of little value. In addition, Muslim merchants controlled trade in Calicut and resented European interference in their business. They continually threatened the Portuguese and would not trade with them. In August 1498, da Gama sailed for home with only samples of Indian goods. Many of the sailors died of disease during the voyage, and only 55 survived. Da Gama arrived in Lisbon in September 1499. King Manuel rewarded him and gave him the title of Admiral of the Sea of India.
The king sent another fleet to India in 1500 to break the Muslims' control of trade in that country. The Portuguese succeeded this time, and da Gama made a second voyage to India in 1502 to establish and expand trade there. He sailed from Lisbon with a fleet of 15 ships. Da Gama killed many innocent Indians and Muslims in revenge for various acts of violence against Portuguese sailors. Portugal soon became one of the most important trading and naval powers in the Indian Ocean.
After returning to Portugal in 1503, da Gama retired from the sea. In 1519, he was made Count of Vidigueira, which entitled him to collect taxes and rents in two Portuguese villages. In 1524, King John III named him viceroy of India. Da Gama sailed to India, where he died that same year.
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