Portuguese traders sought profit, not colonies. The first to reach Asia was Vasco da Gama. On reaching Africa’s eastern coast, he quickly acquired a Muslim pilot to guide his ship to India. There he overcame local resistance, including his own kidnapping, loaded his ships with goods, and sailed back to Lisbon, arriving in 1499. Subsequent voyages proved the Portuguese to be fierce competitors as they burned rival ships and killed their sailors. With the way charted, the Portuguese began establishing a presence at major Indian Ocean ports, including Aden, Hormuz, and Melaka. Using threats of violence and the cartaz (pass) system, Portugal’s traders controlled portions of the Indian Ocean trade, allowing the trade of Asian goods via Portuguese
