Pakistan is a paradigm example of a failed state that has undergone an extremely dangerous form of radical Islamisation.
Vasco da Gama Arrives in India
Vasco da Gama is famous for his completion of the first all water trade route
between Europe and India. Da Gama’s father, Estavao, had originally been chosen
by King Joao II to make this historic voyage, but he died before he could
complete the mission. It is also said that the opportunity was then given to da
Gama's brother, Paulo, who turned it down. The trip needed to be made, and as a
last choice, King Emmanuel looked to da Gama to complete the mission.
Vasco da Gama was born in Sines, Portugal in 1469. Being the son of the
town’s governor, he was educated as a nobleman and served in the court of King
Joao II. Da Gama also served as a navel officer, and in 1492 he commanded a
defense of Portuguese colonies from the French on the coast of Guinea. Da Gama
was then given the mission to the take command of the first Portuguese
expedition around Africa to India.
When Vasco da Gama set out on July 8, 1497 he and his crew planned and
equipped four ships. Goncalo Alvares commanded the flagship Sao (Saint) Gabriel.
Paulo, da Gama's brother, commanded the Sao Rafael. The other two ships were the
Berrio and the Starship. Most of the men working on the ship were convicts and
were treated as expendable. On the voyage, da Gama set out from Lisbon,
Portugal, rounded the Cape of Good Hope on November 22, and sailed north. Da
Gama made various stops along the coast of Africa in trading centers such as
Mombasa, Mozambique, Malindi, Kenya, and Quilmana.
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. The Muslim traders in Mozambique and Mombasa did not
want interference in their trade centers. Therefore, they perceived the
Portuguese as a threat and tried to seize the ships. In Malindi, on the other
hand, the Portuguese were well received, because the ruler was hoping to gain an
ally against Mombasa, the neighboring port. From Malindi, da Gama was
accompanied the rest of the way to India by Ahmad Ibn Majid, a famous Arab
pilot.
Vasco da Gama finally arrived in Calicut, India on May 20, 1498. Calicut was
the principle market of trade for precious stones, pearls, and spices. At first,
the Portuguese were well received and accepted by the Hindu ruler. There was a
great 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 that Vasco da
Gama brought, because they were of little value to him. Da Gama was not able to
establish his trading station or negotiate a trading agreement, because the
Zamorin (samudrin raja, the Hindu King) did not want to alienate the local
merchants. The Portuguese goods that had been well accepted in Africa were not
suitable for the prestigious Indian market. The Muslim merchants despised the
Portuguese interference in their business and often threatened to not trade with
them. Finally, when da Gama wanted to leave, the Zamorin told him that he had to
pay a heavy tax and leave all the Portuguese goods as a form of collateral. Da
Gama was enraged, and on August 29, 1498, da Gama and his crew departed with all
of their possessions and five hostages. Da Gama also took a letter from the
Zamorin stating that the Zamorin would trade spices and gems if the Portuguese
could get scarlet cloth, coral, silver, and gold.
Vasco da Gama and his crew departed in August 1498 and reached Lisbon in
September of 1499. The return trip took so long because many of the sailors died
of diseases such as scurvy. When Vasco da Gama returned, he was rewarded with a
great celebration. Da Gama was looked upon as a hero, and King Manoel awarded
him with titles and a large income.
When Vasco da Gama went out on his second expedition on February 12, 1502, he
was prepared for an encounter with the Muslim traders. He set sail with 20
well-armed ships, hoping to force his way into the market and to get revenge on
the Muslims for the opposition in 1498. Da Gama killed many innocent Indians and
Muslims. In one instance, da Gama waited for a ship to return from Mecca, a
Muslim trading and religious center. The Portuguese overtook the ship and seized
all the merchandise. Then they locked the 380 passengers in the hold and set the
ship on fire. It took four days for the ship to sink, killing all men, women,
and children.
When da Gama arrived in Calicut on October 30, 1502, the Zamorin was willing
to sign a treaty. Da Gama told him that he would have to banish all of the
Muslims. To demonstrate his power, da Gama hung 38 fishermen; cut off their
heads, feet, and hands; and floated the dismembered corpses onto the shore.
Later da Gama bombarded the city with guns and forced his way into the trading
system. This led the way for other Portuguese conquests in the East Indies.
In February of 1503, da Gama returned home. During his final voyage to India,
da Gama got sick and died on December 24, 1524. Vasco da Gama's remains were
taken back to Portugal, where he was buried in the chapel where he had prayed
before his first voyage.
Vasco da Gama's voyages to India resulted in centuries of Portuguese
colonialism throughout Asia (Macao was only returned to the Chinese government
in 1999). However, whether colonization was Portugal's first intention is a
matter of debate. It seems that Portugal, a country formed by its struggles
against the Moors, sent da Gama abroad to seek pre-existing Christian nations
with which to form anti-Islamic alliances. The lucrative spice trade was further
temptation for the Portuguese crown. Eventually, these aims led to religious
conversion, inethical trade, and colonization.
