When the Moslem Turks captured Constantinople in 1453, Europe’s trade links with the East were broken. This had been a valuable trade. Another route had to be found.
The Portuguese had, for some time, been exploring the west coast of Africa. In 1497, King Emanuel ordered one of his gentlemen, Vasco da Gama, to command a fleet of four ships. Da Gama was ordered to try to find a route to India round the south of Africa.
He sailed south, rounded the Cape of Good Hope and turned northwards. Da Gama was surprised to find a flourishing Arab trading economy on the east African coast. He was almost as surprised as the Arabs were to see a European ship. Finally, despite mutinies and fights with the Arabs, Da Gama reached the port of Calicut on the coast of India. His voyage had opened a fresh route to the East.
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