Evaluate the extent to which the portuguese transformed maritime trade in the indian ocean in the sixteenth century.



There was heavy trading done between Africa and Asia as materials like gold, ivory and Iron were sold to Asia to countries like India, China, etc. Africa made good profits with this exports in the Indian Ocean Trade because such materials were scarce in Asia.

African States, mostly East Africa were buying cotton, silk, etc from Asian traders at a high price and they represented Africa's import in the Indian Ocean Trade.



Vasco da Gama, a Portuguese captain sailed through the prosperous East African states that were doing trade with the Asians and was marvelled because most Europeans were unaware of the the East African States and their trade success and economic might.

Vasco da Gama was tasked with finding a direct route to Asia from Portugal because even though most European countries were doing trade with the Asians, they were doing it through difficult means.

In 1499, da Gama returned to Portugal to tell the King and Queen about the prosperous East African cities he had seen and the shiploads of gold, ivory, porcelain, etc.

The Portuguese decided to attack and take over control of trade in the Indian Ocean.

They sent more ships to the eastern coast of Africa with three goals: to take anything of value they could find, to force the kings of the city to pay taxes to Portuguese tax collectors, and to gain control over the entire Indian Ocean trade.

The Portuguese expedition ransacked the mostly defenceless East African States and killed people who were unable to escape. Priceless goods were looted and sent back to Portugal, however, their attempt to take over the Indian Ocean trade failed.