For many centuries, the mysterious territory of India excited the minds of sailors, who represented it as a mainland and an island full of riches. Described fragmentarily, far from the "seafaring" of England, Spain and Russia, India until the 15th century remained unknown.
In search of a sea route
Among the countries that began to look for sea routes to Africa and India were Portugal and Spain. Italian port cities played a dominant role in trade with the countries of Northwest Europe. Merchant ships crossed the Mediterranean Sea and through the Strait of Gibraltar moved strictly to the north, skirting the Pyrrhinean Peninsula. The Mediterranean was monopolized by the Italians, and Portuguese ships had no access to the cities of North Africa.
Since the 14th century, Portuguese and Spanish port cities have gained particular importance. There was a rapid development of trade, new seaports were required to expand ties. Vessels began to enter the cities for transshipment of goods and to replenish supplies of food and water. But Portugal could master new sea routes only in the direction of the Atlantic Ocean, since in the eastern direction all routes were under the control of Italy. The Iberian Peninsula had a favorable geographical position and was convenient for sending ships on new expeditions.
In 1415, the Portuguese conquered the Moroccan port of Ceuti, which was located at the southern tip of the Strait of Gibraltar. This port became the "starting point" for the construction of new sea routes along the western coast of Africa.
At the Cape of Good Hope
The expedition of the Portuguese admiral Bartalomeo Dias in 1488 reached the southernmost point of Africa - the Cape of Good Hope. Having rounded the cape, the admiral hoped to go along the east coast of Africa, but a fierce storm battered the admiral's ship, and the sailors rebelled on the ship itself. The admiral was forced to turn towards the house. Arriving in Lisbon, he managed to convince that there is a road to India.
By the summer of 1497, a flotilla of four ships was equipped, which, under the leadership of Vasco da Gama, went to explore the sea route to India. Skirting the Cape of Good Hope, the flotilla lost one ship.
The expedition continued along the eastern coast of Africa and, entering the port of Malindi, received an experienced pilot from the local ruler, who led the ships to the Indian shores. On May 20, 1498, ships led by Vaska da Gama entered the Indian port of Calicut.
The escape that changed the world
The relationship of the Portuguese with the local population did not work out so much that Vasco da Gama was forced to take the ships out into the open ocean in a hurry. The road home was full of hardships and hardships. Only in September 1498, Vasco da Gama returned to Lisbon with the remnants of the flotilla, but the sea route to India, opened by the Portuguese Vasco da Gama, changed a lot in the world. A year later, 13 ships sailed the ocean towards India.
