The Carreira da Índia (Career of India) was an annual sea route between Lisbon and Goa established by the Armadas da Índia after the discovery of the sea route to India by Vasco da Gama. The route lasted from 1500 until the opening of the Suez Canal in the 19th century. The Armadas da Índia were the fleets of ships sent annually by Portugal to India, mainly to Goa. These fleets made the so-called Career of India, following the Cape route started by Vasco da Gama in 1497-1499 with the discovery of the sea route to India.
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This Cape Route was the result of an ever-advancing Portuguese voyage of discovery. After the Portuguese conquered the rich city of Ceuta in 1415, this source dried up as the terminus of trade caravans from West Africa. The Portuguese then decided to take over the trade themselves. They learned to use the winds and sea currents by sailing from West Africa first to the west, then to the north and back from there. With this volta do mar they were able to return from the Atlantic islands. Very important was the state support, especially by Henrique the Nvigator.
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MAP: The route from India - Route followed on the way out (red) and return route (green). Illuminated manuscript: The oldest representation of Lisbon (1500–1510) from the Crónica de Dom Afonso Henriques, by Duarte Galvão. ILUSTRATION of Goa: View of Goa in 1509, at Braun and Hogenberg, 1600 IMAGE of the vassel: Portuguese navy, Book by Lisuarte de Abreu, 1565. INFOGRAPHY of the vassel: Scheme of a Portuguese ship from the 16th century.
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