What is Vasco da Gama known for?

Answer

Vasco da Gama (c. 1469-1524) was a Portuguese navigator, widely credited with being the first person to travel by sea to India. He was the first navigator to establish a new trade route from Portugal around the bottom of Africa to India.
The new trade route helped Portugal to emerge as a dominant player in trade at the time.

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In the European Age of colonialism, Dom Vasco da Gama
received the appointment of commander of the first ships to sail
directly from Europe to India.
His fleet arrived to Calicut in India on 20 May 1498.
After violent negotiations with the local ruler Zamorin,
using subterfuge and violence, he despoiled Arab merchants.

The journey ushered in an era of European domination through sea power and imposed commerce, that lasted several hundred years.
450 years of Portuguese colonialism in India and Africa brought wealth and power to the Portuguese monarch, to the detriment of Africa and India.

This wild conqueror was richly rewarded for his services of piracy by his sovereign. He was appointed Count of Vidiguerira and Admiral of the Indian Seas, receiving pensions and a lucrative slice of the Eastern trade for his efforts.

First answer by ID3636131812. Last edit by Rochellelev. Contributor trust: 25 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 53 [recommend question]

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