Vasco da Gama (c. 1469-1524) was a Portuguese navigator who, in 1497-9, sailed around the Cape of Good Hope in southern Africa and arrived at Calicut (now Kozhikode) on the south-west coast of India. This was the first direct voyage from Portugal to India and allowed the Europeans to cut in on the immensely lucrative Eastern trade in spices.
More about: Vasco da GamaServer Costs Fundraiser 2026
It costs $20,000 a year to run our servers, and we need your help to pay for them!
$6022 / $20000
Definition
Timeline
-
c. 1469Vasco da Gama is born in Sines in the Alentejo region of Portugal.
-
1492Vasco da Gama commands a small fleet which captures French vessels in several southern Portuguese ports.
-
8 Jul 1497 - Aug 1499The Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama sails around the Cape of Good Hope and on to India and back.
-
24 Apr 1498 - 18 May 1498Vasco da Gama crosses the Indian Ocean for the first time by sailing from Malindi to Calicut, India.
-
1502 - 1503Vasco da Gama sails a 15-ship fleet from Portugal to Calicut, India.
-
Apr 1524Vasco da Gama sails om his third voyage from Portugal to India.
-
24 Dec 1524Vasco da Gama dies of illness at Portuguese Cochin in India.
