He might unbend so far as to join his sailors in a hornpipe, heĪllowed no relaxation of discipline. The Lisbon ship symbol on the tomb of Vasco da Gama Pride, and unwavering steadfastness of purpose were the bedrock of hisĪ map from Vasco da Gama Thinkstockphotos/ Getty Images Born and bred in such anĮnvironment, Vasco was fated to follow the sea. He wasīorn in a small seaport called Sines, tenanted by fisherfolks, where Aged 36 years, he was already an expert navigator. Had been chosen to lead the expedition, died, his third son Vasco took Portuguese shipping, a task that Gama accomplished rapidly and Sent on a mission in 1492 to the port of Selutal and Algrave to seizeįrench ships in retaliation for peace time depredations against It remained for some mariner of daring to force them open. The sea gates of the Orient had long beenįound. Which was monopolised by the Republic of Venice through Red Sea across He was eager toīreak into the highly profitable spice trade between Europe and Asia, Treasury and saw royal commerce as the key to it. His voyages alsoĬhanged the politico-economic firmament of Indian subcontinentĬentury, John II, the Emperor of Portugal, needed to build up a royal Important events recorded in the history of mankind. Vasco da Gama’s legacy remains Portugal’s success as an early colonising power while for India, he opened the floodgates to colonising and commercialisingĮconomist Adam Smith, the event was one of the two greatest`A0and most To acquire the image of an icon of Portugal’s national pride after Middling position in the Portuguese society in a span of a few years A look at the life and times of the man whose discoveries are among the most important historical world events On this day in 1497, Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama set sail for India, a voyage that changed the politico-economic scenario of the subcontinent.