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Vasco da Gama (1460-1524) was a Portuguese explorer who discovered an ocean route from Portugal to the East. Gama sailed from Lisbon, Portugal, on July 8, 1497, heading to the East. At the time, people thought that Gama's trip would be impossible because it was assumed that the Indian Ocean was not connected to any other seas. Gama and his trading were well-received, but this did not last for long. Gama left India on August 29,1498, after he was told to pay a large tax and leave all of his trading goods. When he left, da Gama took his goods with him, together with some Indian hostages. Vasco da Gama died of an illness in India on December 24, 1524, and his remains were returned to Portugal for burial.