Hello everyone , The port of Kozhikode in Kerala was the most important trading center of South India. Then Samudiri (Zamorin) who came to Kozhikode welcomed and entertained Raja Vascoda Kama. But Vasco da Gama was angered when he did not give him suitable gifts and, not wanting to antagonize the local merchants, he refused to enter into a trade agreement with the Portuguese. Vasco da Gama, however, sailed for Lisbon on 29th August, laden with Indian spices. The expedition proved to be very difficult as many of his soldiers succumbed to scurvy along the way. After nearly a year's voyage, only two of the four ships reached Portugal safely. Out of 170 people on the ship, only 55 returned home.

The king happily welcomed Vasco da Gama on his return after almost two years and presented him with a large gift. He also conferred the title of Commander of the Indian Ocean. The king rejoiced that his dream of 80 years had come true. After three years, Vasco da Gama again traveled to India. This time he embarked on a circumnavigation of twenty ships with the plan of dealing with the Muslim traders who opposed him. History says that he was involved in some horrible things on that trip. He killed many Indians who refused to trade with the Portuguese. In one incident, he hijacked a ship, confiscated all the goods, locked the 380 people on board and set the ship on fire. All the people on the ship died miserably.

The second time Vasco da Gama came to Kozhikode he asked the Samudiri king to remove the Muslims from there. King Dayangave Vascoda Gama Evu mercilessly killed 38 people and floated their bodies in the sea and bombarded Kozhikode port. The Samudiri Raja had no choice but to enter into a trade agreement with him. On his way back to Portugal with that treaty, Vasco da Gama established several Portuguese colonies in East Africa.

When he came to India for the third time, Vasco da Gama was appointed as the Government Representative to India. But after a few months he fell ill and died in Kozhikode on 24th December 1524. His body was buried in a temple in Cochin and his remains were sent to Portugal in 1539. Vasco da Gama's discovery deserves an important place in historical achievements, if we leave aside the atrocities and violence he committed in his last voyages. After he discovered the sea route to India, the world began to realize its direct trade benefits. There were direct connections between India and Europe.

Vasco da Gama's first voyage also led to the establishment of Portuguese colonies in many countries. His travelogue 'Lusiadas' is hailed as Portugal's national epic. How many of us would jump at the chance to embark on a perilous journey towards something undiscovered or unknown? That is the truth that the lives of all the historical heroes tell us that if we turn away from the dangers, the achievements will elude us. For anyone who journeys boldly and confidently towards new goals and directions, like Vasco da Gama, the sky we desire must be enshrined.