At Fort Kochi’s St. Francis Church, history appears to have been buried, forgotten, and dead. “Remembering Vasco da Gama, Portuguese navigator; he arrived in Cochin…where he died and was first buried” is written on a plain blue board at the chapel.
The man who found the sea route to India in 1498, revolutionising international trade and cross-cultural contact, passed away on December 24, 1524. In the actual location of his death, amnesia reigns as programmes for the 500th anniversary are underway at Jeronimos Monastery in Lisbon, where his ashes were repatriated from Kochi in 1539. Not even a candle is burned as a votive offering, nor are there any memorial celebrations.
An attritional process of historical revisionism may be the cause of this. Post-colonial studies are increasingly portraying Vasco da Gama as a glorified pirate, a pillager who brutally treated the natives of the Malabar coast, and an open instrument of imperialism and religious persecution. Previously, da Gama was praised as the man who paved the way for the Estado da India (the Portuguese maritime empire) and sparked the East-West entente (the fantastic exchange of goods and ideas). According to Indo-Portuguese historian Father Pius Malekandathil, da Gama was getting older and worse when he made his final visit to Kerala. Kochi remained the capital of Portuguese establishments at the time of his passing. Only subsequently was it relocated to Goa. Father Pius went on to say that the existence of communities that have suffered greatly due to the Portuguese may have prevented a remembrance in Kochi. There was a lot of resistance in 1998 when an attempt was made to commemorate the 500th anniversary of da Gama’s landing in India. Whether dominance or subordination was to be honoured was the topic at hand. Sometimes, people might not be able to perceive the complex truth. When Christopher Columbus’ discovery of the Americas was celebrated, a similar problem emerged. Many people present questioned whether exploitation was being glorified.
In addition to opening the door for colonisation, da Gama’s journey sparked the flow of culture, ideas, goods, and plants.
Scholars claim that socioeconomic, cultural, and geographic connections were hallmarks of early modernity. Father Pius claims that all started with da Gama’s historic journey. Due to Vasco Da Gama’s waterway opening, Papaya, pineapple, and other South American plants were eventually brought to Kerala. Without that exploratory mission, the agricultural landscape of India might have been different.
Most people living around the church in Fort Kochi, particularly the younger generation, are unaware of da Gama’s identity or importance. Vasco House, which is now a homestay, is thought to have been where he resided throughout his trips to Kochi till his death in 1524. The homestay’s manager, Santhosh Tom, claims that the building was given to his family during his grandfather’s lifetime. He never overheard anyone discussing memorials. According to Tom, all he knew was that da Gama resided, passed away, and was buried in the nearby church.
The Church of South India (CSI) currently oversees St. Francis Church. A memorial from the side of the church also proved improbable because, in contrast to the Latin Church here, CSI has no Portuguese influence. Church da Gama is only significant because the grave is in their church, according to Rev Praise Thaiparambil, Clergy Secretary of the Cochin Diocese of CSI.
During the Portuguese era, it was a Catholic church, and burials took place there. The Dutch then took over the church and converted it to a Dutch Reformed Church. During the English era, it changed its name to an Anglican church. Once the English churches departed, they were turned over to CSI, which, according to Thaiparambil, is how they found this church. He also stated that CSI did not alter the church’s name.
According to Fr. Pius, history should not be forgotten, and Vasco da Gama’s introduction to world culture should be appreciated for its accessibility, openness, and connectivity.
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