synonymVasco da Gama (Vasco da Gama) Generally refers to da Gama (Portuguese navigator and explorer)
Vasco da Gama (about 1469-24 December 1524, Portuguese: Vasco da Gama), born in PortugalSinish, the Earl of Vidigura,PortugalA navigator and explorer.
In his youth, da Gama participated in Portugal andSpainAfter the war, he served in the Portuguese court.Sent by the king of Portugal on July 8, 1497, he set out from Lisbon with a boat to find the wayIndiaSea routeCanary Islands, windingCape of Good Hope, viaMozambiqueAnd other places, arrived in southwest India on May 20, 1498Kalikat。He left India in the autumn of the same year and returned on September 9, 1499Lisbon。He went to India twice in 1502-1503 and 1524, and was appointed governor of India the last time.
Da Gama is a great geographical discoverer who explored the way from Europe to India by bypassing the Cape of Good Hope, and promoted the development of Eurasian trade.In 1869Suez CanalBefore opening to navigation, Europethe indian oceanThe trade between coastal countries and China is mainly through this route.The opening of this route was also the beginning of Portuguese and other European countries' colonial activities in Asia.Epic of Portugal《Luzitania Song》It is written for the praise of da Gama. In Portuguese literature, the "national epic" has quite a few descriptions of da Gama's voyage.stayMike HartWritten by《The list of 100 people who influence the process of human history》Among them, Da Gama ranked 86th.[9]
(Overview picture: The Portrait of Da Gamma painted by Da Fonseca in 1838[14]）
Full Name
Vasco da Gama
one's native heath
Sinish, Portugal
date of birth
1469 (1460-70)
Date of death
December 24, 1524
Key achievements
Pioneers of sailing routes from Europe around the Cape of Good Hope to India
In 1469, da Gama was born inPortugalA noble family with a high reputation. His father was an excellent navigator who was once appointed by the kingJoao IIHis dispatch was engaged in exploring the sea route to Asia. After several setbacks, his ambitious ambition was not fulfilled and he died.For this reason, da Gama received navigation training in his youth.[11]
First voyage
In 1492,ColumbusThe news that the Spanish fleet led by him discovered the New World of America spread all over Western Europe.Faced with the challenge that Spain will dominate the sea, the Portuguese royal family is determined to accelerate the exploration of maritime activities leading to India.At that time, the Portuguese nobles still held a negative attitude towards the question of whether to continue to seek India eastward.New King of PortugalManuel I We can only purchase and use smaller ships to sail as far as possible, which has been unanimously supported by the domestic industrial and commercial class.
Dagama before leaving Lisbon
On July 8, 1497, on the order of King Manuel I of Portugal, da Gama led four small boats with more than 140 sailors,[11]By the capitalLisbonSet sail, set foot to explore the way toIndiaThe voyage of.These four ships are S ã o Gabriel, S ã o Rafael (led by his brother Paul Da Gama), Berrio and another supply ship with unknown name.
Once found the Cape of Good Hope for the kingdomBartolomeu Miao DiazHe also led a small fleet to open the way for the escort of the new Indian Ocean Expeditionary Fleet, and always escorted the fleet to Gama to reach Portugal's colonial fortress on the West African coast.Then, da Gama followed the route that Diaz discovered the Cape of Good Hope 10 years ago and headed east.[11]
Da Gama's First Navigation Route
After nearly four months of sailing and more than 4500 nautical miles, the fleet came to St. Helechan Bay adjacent to the Cape of Good Hope and saw a piece of land.Going forward, we will encounter a terrible storm. The sailors have no intention of continuing their voyage and ask to return to Lisbon. Da Gama insists on going forward and declares that he will never stop until he finds India.On Christmas Eve, the fleet led by Da Gama finally rounded the Cape of Good Hope and sailed inWestern Indian OceanAfrica coast.[11]
On December 16, 1497, da Gama's fleet passedFish RiverHe entered the waters that are still blank in European navigation records - the coast of East Africa, so da Gama called the area to be explored next "Natal", which was close to Christmas at that time. Natal means Christmas in Portuguese, and can also be translated as "rebirth".nowadaysRepublic of South AfricaOfNatalHence the name of the province).
Three ships of Dagama
Mombasa in the 16th century
In January 1498, da Gama's fleet arrived in East AfricaMozambiqueThe sea area is the first time in human history that there is a deep voyage from the Atlantic Ocean to the Indian Ocean.Later, the fleet went northward against the strong Mozambique current and toured central AfricaZambezi RiverEstuary.At the end of March, da Gama's fleet, after consuming a large amount of supplies, scuttled the accompanying supply ship according to the convention, and only moved forward with three light ships.On April 1, the fleet arrived at an important port along the coast of East AfricaMombasa。The Muslim residents in the city had no idea about these sudden ships.When residents of Mombasa found that these mysterious visitors were Christians, the relationship between the two sides deteriorated rapidly, and armed conflict was inevitable.As Da Gama knows that he has a heavy responsibility and is weak in troops, he dare not fight in Mombasa.After getting rid of the temporary gathering of Muslim ships, they continued to sail northward and transferred to the rival city of Mombasa on April 14Malindi。Although the local rulers are also Muslims, they are friendly with the Portuguese for the purpose of attacking their competitors.
The Dagama Landing Monument of Malindi
The ruler of Malindi not only allowed Da Gama to build a small fortress for trade and navigation in his own city, but also gave a big gift to Da Gama: Ahmed Rong Ibn Majid, a senior navigator.This was born inthe arabian peninsulaOmanThe navigator of the region was a famous expert in navigation at that time. The navigation guide on the West Indian Ocean compiled by him still has some use value today.
It was under the leadership of this experienced navigator that the Portuguese fleet set sail from Malindi on April 24. The use of the Indian Ocean is unique only in the first half of each yearSouthwest monsoon, head for the Indian coast.It finally arrived at the most powerful port city on the southwest coast of India on May 20, 1498Kalikat。
Kalikat City in the 16th Century
This is the first time since the Middle Ages that Western European ships have sailed to this mysterious land.The charts of the Indian Ocean in Majid's hands became the source of information for the Portuguese to explore and conquer the entire Indian Ocean region.The port of Calicat was surprised to welcome the Portuguese pioneers who landed.The more diverse religious culture and complex trade activities in India made the Kalikat people not show the strong hostility of Mombasa residents at the beginning.
For the next three months, Da Gama's small expeditionary force stayed in Kalikat, seeking trade and further exploring the intelligence of India.But during this period, Da Gama and his subordinates did not have a smooth life.althoughKalikat ZamolinBoth the indigenous people and the king of China are Hindus, but most of the westward trade here has been monopolized by Muslims.
As the Muslim businessman class intervened for the purpose of attacking competitors, it was easy to provoke the relationship between Samoa and Da Gama and others.As a result, the Portuguese began to be strictly monitored and controlled, and were not even allowed to sail home. Some members of the landed mission were detained by the authorities.
Meeting between Dagama and Samorin
Unable to do anything, Da Gama still didn't want to use his weak force to start the war, but he quickly found a solution.When several Hindu nobles got on board to try to trade, Gama resolutely ordered to detain them and made a gesture of pulling anchor to set sail.Samoa immediately exchanged these important hostages with the Portuguese held before, and allowed the Portuguese fleet to set sail and leave immediately.
Before leaving, da Gama received a letter from Samorin to Manuel I: he was willing to establish trade relations as long as he could get gold, silver, coral and red cloth.Such short and rigid polite words still inspire Da Gama and his party.
On August 29, 1498, after leaving a few contacts to establish their first business station in India, Da Gama set sail home with his fleet in a hurry.In the northern neighbor passing KalikatCannanorAt that time, the Portuguese finally conducted friendly trade in the local area and obtained spices, cinnamon and five or six Indian slaves.The attitude of the local rulers towards Portugal is basically the same as Malindi's hatred towards Mombasa.After all, opponents in the same league or camp cannot be monolithic.
The Da Gama fleet returning to Lisbon
On the way back, da Gama passed through Malindi and built a monument here, which still stands today.
The fleet was unlucky when they returned. Many sailors died of diseases on the way, including Da Gama's brother.There were only two ships left. On July 10, 1499, the Bellio returned to Portugal, and the flagship of Da Gama arrived in Lisbon on September 9, 1499.Only half of the sailors were alive at the time of sailing.As da Gama broke through the sea line expansion that Portugal has been looking forward to for 80 years, he was rewarded and became a rich businessman, and was honored as "the admiral in the Indian Ocean".
Interests and disintegration
Portugal's second fleet to India
With the success of Da Gama in 1498, Portugal's domestic enthusiasm for sailing to India rose again.In 1500, Manuel sent the second fleet to India in history.This is made byPedro Alvarez CabralThe expedition led by him consists of 13 ships, which is much stronger than the exploration fleet commanded by Da Gama before.With the support of such a powerful fleet, Cabral need not be timid in negotiating with Mombasa and Calicut.
However, the port does not cooperate with Muslim businessmen in the market.They jointly boycotted the Portuguese who had just landed, and bribed the local Indian traders, so that the Indians lied that they had no spices in stock.
Karabul then ordered a raid on an Arab sailing boat anchored in the port, and found a large number of spices that Indians had previously claimed were missing.This action also led to thousands of local Muslims and Indians launching attacks on Portuguese on the land.The 70 member commercial group sent by Karabul lost 50 people in the siege.The unbearable commander immediately ordered the fleet to bombard Kalikat City.
The commanding Kalapur
Calabr, unwilling to waste time, found Indians who sympathized with them locally.At his suggestion, Kalapur's fleet sailed southward and came to the port city that had a competitive relationship with KalikatCochin。The Portuguese successfully conducted trade in this port with good conditions, just like da Gama did in Cannanor last time.
Cochin in the 16th century
Then, farther south, the portQuironAfter receiving the news, he extended an olive branch to the Portuguese.Cabral took the opportunity to establish two business stations in Cochin and Queiron. In addition to Cannanor, which had close relations with Portugal, three cities envious of and opposed to the commercial hegemony of Calicarte turned against Portugal.
Quiron in 1505
Like Malindi in East Africa, the Portuguese emerged as a destroyer of the old pattern and soon won the favor of the weak.They don't have to worry about the lack of berthing ports and trade partners in India.
Katino map in 1502
In 1501, Kalapur's fleet finally returned to Portugal.The three ambassadors arrived in Lisbon on these ships.They were diplomatic representatives of the three cities of Cochin, Quelon and Cannanor, and each carried a letter from the local ruler to King Manuel I.These three cities are important trade ports in the southwest coast of the Indian Ocean, but they have long been suppressed by the most powerful Cartwright.The presence of the powerful Portuguese gave hope to the rulers of these places.
Second voyage
Da Gama's fleet on his second voyage to India
In February 1502, Vasco da Gama once again led the fleet to start the second Indian expedition, aiming to establish Portugal's maritime hegemony in the Indian Ocean. The new fleet has a total of 23 warships.Route of fleetKilwa At that time, da Gama betrayed the countryEmirArrest on his ship and threaten the Emir to surrender Portugal and pay tribute to the Portuguese king.
After the fleet arrived at Kalikat, Samoa continued to follow its usual attitude of non cooperation.After asking Samoa to compensate for the loss of business stations and personnel, Da Gama also stopped being as restrained as when he landed for the first time, and ordered the fleet to bombard Kalikat City for the second time.
On the sea near Kananor, Da Gama captured the Egyptian merchant ship Merry from Mecca and burned 300 passengers, including women and children, to death（Miri incident）。
Portuguese overseas fleet
In order to weaken and attack Arab businessmenIndian subcontinentThe interests of God, ordered by Da GamaKalikatThe ruler of the city expelled the Arabs in the area, and then defeated the Arab fleet in a battle in the nearby sea area.
For Samoa, what is more unacceptable is that the Portuguese expedition is no longer satisfied with trade and extortion.A total of five ships were left in Cochin and Quelon after Da Gama returned home, becoming the first permanent fleet of modern Europeans in Asia.
Samoa
These warships will not only protect the Portuguese commercial stations in the two cities from the end of 1502 to the beginning of 1503, but also implement the blockade in the trade season before returning homeCrimson SeaThe important task of.Muslim merchant ships will be blocked in the Red Sea throughout the summer and cannot enter the Indian Ocean, so the spice trade will be exclusive to Portugal.
These military forces already have the support of local allies in India and Africa.In the whole process, the proportion of military is not the biggest one, and interests and diplomacy are the way to win for Portuguese commanders like Da Gama.
In February 1503, Da Gama returned to Portugal with 13 ships loaded with a large amount of valuable spices looted from the southwest coast of India.In October of the same year, he returned to Lisbon.It is said that the pure profits from the spices, silk, gems, etc. plundered by Da Gama during this voyage exceeded the total cost of the second voyage by more than 60 times.When he returned to Portugal, he was loaded with valuable Indian goods and boughtBragansa(Bragan ç a) Many lands of the royal family.In the following 20 years, Da Gama lived a peaceful life. During this period, he was not welcomed by the court and did not participate in Indian affairs.Da Gama tried to win the joy of Manuel I, but the results were limited.During this period, the Portuguese royal family favored Alfonso de·Albuquerque(Afonso de Albuquerque) and others participated in Indian affairs.
After Ferdinand Magellan took refuge in Spain, da Gama threatened the king that he would do the same thing, hoping that the king could let him stay in Portugal and avoid putting the Indian governor in the hands of Spain.
Died of illness
When da Gama completed his second voyage to India, he received an additional reward from the Portuguese king. On December 29, 1519, the king signed a royal decree, naming him Count I of Vidigura. This decree also granted da Gama and his descendants many privileges, making da Gama the first noble without royal blood.
Manuel I died in 1521, his sonRuo Ang IIIStarted to reorganize Portugal's maritime hegemony, da Gama became an important advisor to the king, providing advice and strategies to the new king.After seeing SpainMoluccasAfter the threat and priority of, da Gama opposed to focusing on Arabia like Manuel I, and he mainly focused on India.The ruler of India, Duarte de Menezes, was both incompetent and corrupt, which caused many discontents. John III decided to replace Menezes with Da Gama. He believed that his reputation and past achievements could establish his authority in Portuguese India, change the local government, and have new strategies.
Da Gama
John III appointed Da Gama in 1524 to enjoy the name of Governor, which was in 1505Francisco de Almeida(Francisco de Almeida).Est ê v ã o, the second son of Da Gama, was appointed commander of the Indian navy, replacing Menezes' brother.The last condition was that John III agreed to appoint several of his sons as captains of the Portuguese Malacca fleet.
In 1524, Da Gama had already been called "the mediator of the supremacy of force" in India. He sent more warships to East Africa and West India in an attempt to replace the local incompetent ruler Menezes and gain his Portuguese territory, but Da Gama arrived in IndiaGoaWhen infected with malaria.December, atKalikatDeath.He was cremated and buried in the St. Francis Church in Kerqin, India.
In 1539, da Gama's body was transported back to Portugal and reburied in Vidiqueira.
Main impacts
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The opening of new routes has a significant impact on the world, especially on Europe.First, it led to the so-called "commercial revolution": economic and cultural exchanges between various regions and ethnic groups in the world were expanded, trade between Europe, Africa and Asia was expanded, contacts with the Americas began, and commodities from various regions gradually appeared in the European market.However, the trade routes and trade centers changed. The main trade routes shifted from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic coast, and Italy's commercial status was gradually replaced by Spain, Portugal, Britain and Netherlands.Secondly, it led to the so-called "price revolution": due to the plunder of western colonialists, a large number of precious metals flowed into Europe, resulting in the decline of gold and silver value and the sharp rise of prices.In the process of "price revolution", the emerging industrial and commercial bourgeoisie gained huge profits, the feudal lords declined, and the working people became increasingly impoverished.The "price revolution" accelerated the decline of the feudal system and the development of capitalism in Western Europe.
However, it must be pointed out that the opening of the new channel was also the beginning of European colonialists' colonial plundering of the eastern countries.In the next few centuries, as the Western powers came one after another, countries along the Indian Ocean and countries in the Western Pacific Ocean became colonies and semi colonies.India of Da GamaOpening of new routesFinally, it brought a profound national disaster to the people of the eastern countries.[5]
The basic meaning of Da Gama's navigation is that he opened a direct route from Europe to India and the Far East, and its influence can be felt by many countries.
Da Gama commanding on the ship
In the short term, it has the greatest impact on Portugal.By controlling the new trade routes to the East, this country located in the remote area of the civilized world soon cast off the hat of poverty and backwardness and became one of the richest countries in Europe.The Portuguese quickly established a powerful colonial empire around India.They have outposts in India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Africa and other regions, which of course consolidates their concessions in Brazil and their colonies in western Africa.Even before Da Gama, they had concessions in Brazil and established colonies in western Africa.Several of these colonies were still controlled by the Portuguese until the first half of the twentieth century.
The opening of a new trade route to India by Da Gama has caused a serious setback for Muslim businessmen who used to control the trade routes in the Indian Ocean.These businessmen were soon completely defeated and replaced by the Portuguese.Moreover, the overland trade route from India to Europe has become desolate and desolate, because it is more convenient to take the Portuguese sea route that bypasses Africa.This is harmful to the Turks and Italian trade cities (such as Venice) that previously controlled the eastern trade.But for the rest of Europe, this means that goods from the Far East are much cheaper than before.
But in the long run, the impact of the Da Gama voyage is not in Europe or the Middle East, but in India and Southeast Asia.In fact, India was quite a closed country in most historical periods, and the only important external influence came from the northwest. But the navigation of Da Gama made India contact with the European civilized world by sea.The influence and influence of Europeans gradually increased in India until the second half of the 19th century, when the whole continent was ruled by the British monarch.As far as Indonesia is concerned, it was first influenced by Europeans and then completely controlled by Europeans. It was not until the middle of the twentieth century that these regions gained autonomy.[4]
Historical evaluation
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Cihai · Geography Division · Chinese Geography (1981 edition of Shanghai Dictionary Press): Da Gama's navigation to India has promoted the development of commercial relations between Europe and Asia, and is also the beginning of Portugal and other European countries engaging in colonial plunder.[8]
interpersonal relationship
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The father of da Gama, Estwan da Gama, was also a marine explorer who was once appointed by the Portuguese kingJoao IIHe was dispatched to explore the sea route to Asia.Bahur, the brother of Da Gama, is also a captain who has been engaged in navigation all his life. He once accompanied Da Gama to explore India's sea activities in 1497.[10][16]
On April 1, 1898, seven Portuguese colonies issued a stamp commemorating the 400th anniversary of the discovery of da Gama's new route with a unified pattern.[6]
In 1997, Portugal issued the stamps and numbered samples of Da Gama's arrival in Mombasa.[7]
In 1998, Macao, China, issued a set of three commemorative stamps to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the discovery of India's navigation route by Vasco da Gama. The main picture of the stamp is the portrait of da Gama and his fleet exploring the new route.A small sheet was also issued.[7]
commemorative coin
In order to express the profound memory of da Gama, Portugal issued a commemorative gold coin of Vasco da Gama, designed by Jo ã o Duarte and minted by the Portuguese Mint.The coin has a fineness of 99.9%, a diameter of 12mm, a weight of 1.56g and a circulation of 20000 pieces.The front is set against the sea, with the national emblem of Portugal on the upper left, the face on the lower right, and the country name on the edge;On the back is a portrait of Vasco da Gama and a line abstract painting of a ship, and on the edge is his name and year of birth and death.
warship
On February 1, 1989, Bloemforth cooperated with the German ship builder HDW to build the second generation MEKO ships - three da Gama class missile frigates (MEKO-200P) of the Portuguese Navy.[1]
In the early 1990s, a total of three new first class frigates purchased by Portugal were put into service one after another, named "Vasco da Gama", "Alvarez Cabral" and "Colt Rear" respectively, and the ship numbers were F330, F331 and F332 respectively.This class of ship is also called "Vasco da Gama" class, or "da Gama" class for short.
statue
In the birthplace of da Gama, outside the seaside town of Sinish Castle in the southwest of Portugal, stands a bronze statue of da Gama, which was built in 1970 - a round hat gown of da Gama looking out at the sea, with boots on his feet, a sword on his waist, and a telescope in his hand."Don Vasco da Gama, 1469-1524" and other words are written on the bronze statue base.The Portuguese poet is also written below the basecamoes Eulogy to Da Gama: "Da Gama is proud of the sea!"[2]
monument
Malindi, Kenya
On August 29, 1498, when Da Gama led his fleet to return and passed Malindi (Malindi was one of the few city states that accepted Portuguese at that time), they built a monument to Da Gama there, which is still standing today.[16]
Macao
The Macao Da Gama Memorial was built in 1898 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Da Gama's voyage to India.[12]
Lisbon, Portugal
Portuguese Navigation Monument
1960, suitablePrince EnriqueOn the 500th anniversary of his death, Portugal built a navigation monument near the Belem Tower in Lisbon, standing on the square beside the sea.[3]At the bow of the monument, Prince Enrique stood proudly in the front, holding a model of a light multi masted sailboat in his hand, highlighting his position as a pioneer in the history of Portuguese navigation.Behind him, on both sides of the hull, there are a row of sculptures composed of 16 people.The second person wearing a robe is Da Gama.[15]The third is around the Cape of Good HopeDiaz。Behind him were a group of subsequent discoverers, explorers, missionaries, businessmen, sailors, artists, and military officers.The fourth is the discovery of the new continentColumbusHe was holding a globe, because Columbus learned navigation technology in Portugal.
Vasco da Gama BridgeLocated southeast of Lisbon, the capital of PortugalTeju RiverA cross sea cable-stayed bridge with a total length of 17.2 kilometers, it was the longest bridge in Portugal and Europe, including viaducts, when it was completed in 1998, and also the ninth longest bridge in the world.[3]
Vasco da Gama Bridge on the Lisbon Teru River in Portugal
