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Why did a pilot supplied in Mozambique leave Vasco da Gama’s expedition?
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Vasco da Gama
Knight of the Order of Christ, detail identified as Vasco da Gama, Portuguese school, first half of the 16th century; in the National Museum of Ancient Art, Lisbon.
The pilot supplied by the Sultan of Mozambique left Vasco da Gama’s expedition after discovering that the Portuguese were Christians.1
Initially, the inhabitants of the Island of Mozambique had mistaken the Portuguese for Muslims, which led the Sultan to provide the pilots to assist them. Once the pilot realized the true religious identity of the crew, he deserted the expedition.1