Da Gama set out from Portugal and sailed around the southern tip of Africa, the Cape of Good Hope. Da Gama reached Calicut, India where he traded with local Hindus whom he mistook for Christians. He loaded his ships with valuable spices, but Muslim traders in the area forced him to barter the spices for sailing provisions in order to get back home. These spices were unique to the Asian market—peppercorns and cinnamon among many...
Da Gama set out from Portugal and sailed around the southern tip of Africa, the Cape of Good Hope. Da Gama reached Calicut, India where he traded with local Hindus whom he mistook for Christians. He loaded his ships with valuable spices, but Muslim traders in the area forced him to barter the spices for sailing provisions in order to get back home. These spices were unique to the Asian market—peppercorns and cinnamon among many others—as Calicut was a major trading port for the entire region. The spices fetched a large price back in Portugal and made da Gama a hero even though he lost considerable numbers of men due to scurvy. Da Gama made a second voyage on which he attacked Muslims living in Calicut and made Portugal a major trading partner in the region. Da Gama would finish his career as an explorer while serving as a viceroy in India.
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