Francisco de Almeida
Portuguese nobleman, soldier, and key architect of Portuguese power in the Indian Ocean.
Chronology: 1450 – 1510-03-01
Origins & Early Life
Dom Francisco de Almeida (Portuguese pronunciation: [fɾɐ̃ˈsiʃku ðɨ alˈmɐjðɐ]; c. 1450 – 1 March 1510), was a Portuguese nobleman, soldier and explorer. He distinguished himself as a counsellor to King John II of Portugal and later in the wars against the Moors and in the conquest of Granada in 1492. In 1505 he was appointed as the first governor and viceroy of the Portuguese State of India (Estado da Índia).
Pivotal Works & Achievements
Almeida is credited with establishing Portuguese hegemony in the Indian Ocean with his victory at the naval Battle of Diu in 1509. Before Almeida returned to Portugal he lost his life in a conflict with indigenous people at the Cape of Good Hope in 1510. His only son Lourenço de Almeida had previously been killed in the Battle of Chaul. == Exploits as soldier == Almeida was born at Lisbon. As was customary for men in his social circle, he joined the military at an early age.
Enduring Legacy & Impact
In 1476 he took part in the Battle of Toro. Then he fought in conflicts in different parts of Morocco and in 1492 participated in the Christian conquest of Granada on the side of the Castilians. == Mission to the east == In 1505, King Manuel I of Portugal made Almeida, then in his mid-fifties, the first viceroy...
Source: Wikipedia