Vasco da Gama was born in Sines, Portugal, in 1469. Da Gama also served as a naval officer and in 1492 commanded the defense of the Portuguese colonies from the French on the coast of Guinea. Da Gama was then given the mission to take command of the first Portuguese expedition around Africa to India. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayWhen Vasco da Gama sailed on July 8, 1497, he and his crew designed and equipped four ships. Paulo, da Gama's brother, commanded the Sao Rafael. The other two ships were the Berrio and the Starship. Most of the men who worked on those ships were convicts and were treated like property. During the voyage, da Gama departed Lisbon, Portugal, rounded the Cape of Good Hope on November 22, and sailed north. Da Gama made various stops along the northern coast of Africa, as trading centers. As the ships sailed along the east coast of Africa, many conflicts arose between the Portuguese and the Muslims who had already established trading centers along the coast. Vasco da Gama finally arrived in Calicut, India on May 20, 1498. Calicut was the main trading market for precious stones, pearls and spices. At first the Portuguese were well received and accepted by the Hindu ruler. There was a grand ceremony and da Gama was taken to a Hindu temple. However, this immediate reaction did not last. The ruler later felt insulted by the gifts brought by Vasco da Gama, because they were of little value to him. Da Gama was unable to establish his trading post or negotiate a trade agreement because the Zamorin, a Hindu king, did not want to isolate the local merchants. Da Gama was enraged, and on August 29, 1498, da Gama and his crew departed with all their belongings and five hostages. Vasco da Gama and his crew left in August 1498 and reached Lisbon in September 1499. The return journey took a long time, because many sailors died of diseases such as scurvy. When Vasco da Gama returned, he was rewarded with a grand celebration. Da Gama was considered a hero and King Manoel awarded him titles and large revenues. When Vasco da Gama set out on his second expedition on February 12, 1502, he was prepared to encounter Muslim traders. He set sail with 20 well-armed ships, hoping to penetrate the market and take revenge on the Muslims for the opposition in 1498. Da Gama killed many innocent Indians and Muslims. In one case, da Gama waited for a ship to return from Mecca, a Muslim commercial and religious center. The Portuguese reached the ship and seized all the goods. When da Gama arrived in Calicut on October 30, 1502, the Zamorin were willing to sign a treaty. Da Gama told him that he should ban all Muslims. Da Gama subsequently bombarded the city with weapons and forced his way into the trading system. In February 1503 da Gama returned home. During his last trip to India, da Gama fell ill and died on December 24, 1524. Vasco da Gama's remains were brought back to Portugal, where he was buried in the chapel where he had prayed before his first trip..