Afonso de Albuquerque

MedievalGeneralPortugal1453 — 1515

Portuguese general who established the Portuguese Empire in the Indian Ocean.

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Quick Facts

Born

1453

Died

1515

Country

Portugal

Era

Medieval

Occupation

General

Score Overview

Military (10%)78

Political (20%)88

Influence (20%)80

Legacy (20%)75

Leadership (15%)78

Strategy (15%)82

Total Score79.6

Afonso de Albuquerque — Complete Timeline

1503 AD

First voyage to IndiaWar◆ Major

Afonso de Albuquerque led a fleet to India, establishing the first Portuguese fort at Cochin. This voyage laid the foundation for Portuguese control of the Indian Ocean trade.

ExplorationColonialismIndia

Impact: global

1510 AD

Conquest of GoaWar◆ Major

Albuquerque captured Goa from the Sultan of Bijapur. He made Goa the capital of Portuguese India, a position it held for over 400 years.

ConquestColonialismIndia

Impact: regional

1511 AD

Conquest of MalaccaWar◆ Major

Albuquerque led a Portuguese fleet to capture the strategic port of Malacca. This gave Portugal control of the spice trade route between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific.

ConquestSpice TradeSoutheast Asia

Impact: global

1513 AD

Siege of AdenWar

Albuquerque attempted to capture Aden in Yemen but failed. This failure prevented Portugal from controlling the entrance to the Red Sea and limited their influence in the region.

SiegeFailureRed Sea

Impact: regional

1515 AD

Death at seaOther◆ Major

Afonso de Albuquerque died at sea off the coast of Goa, possibly from illness or poison. His death left the Portuguese Empire in the Indian Ocean without its most capable leader.

DeathLeadershipEmpire

Impact: regionaltragic