Martim Afonso de Sousa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Martim Afonso de Sousa
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Painting of Martim Afonso de Sousa by Benedito Calixto
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| Governor of Portuguese India | |
| In office 1542–1545 |
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| Monarch | John III of Portugal |
| Preceded by | Estêvão da Gama |
| Succeeded by | João de Castro |
| 1st Captain-major of the Captaincy of São Vicente | |
| In office 1533–1564 |
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| Monarch | John III of Portugal Sebastian of Portugal |
| Preceded by | Office created |
| Succeeded by | Pero Lopes de Sousa |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1500 Vila Viçosa, Kingdom of Portugal |
| Died | 21 July 1564 (aged 63–64) Lisbon, Kingdom of Portugal |
| Spouse | Ana Pimentel |
| Children | Pero Lopes de Sousa Lopo Rodrigues de Sousa Rodrigo Afonso de Sousa Gonçalo Rodrigues de Sousa Inês Pimentel Brites Pimentel b. Tristão de Sousa b. Isabel Lopes de Sousa |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Portuguese Empire |
| Battles/wars | Ottoman–Portuguese conflicts (1538–1557) |
Martim Afonso de Sousa (born around 1500 – died July 21, 1564) was an important Portuguese nobleman, explorer, and government official. He played a key role in the early history of Brazil and Portuguese India.
Contents
Early Life and Brazilian Expedition
Martim Afonso de Sousa was born in Vila Viçosa, Portugal. He grew up in the household of King John III, becoming a close friend of the king.
In December 1530, the Portuguese king sent Martim Afonso de Sousa on an important mission to Brazil. The king was worried about French ships in the area. Sousa led a fleet of 400 people to explore the land and claim it for Portugal. His goal was to place Portuguese markers as far south as the River Plate estuary. However, his ship was unfortunately wrecked there.
Founding Settlements in Brazil
After the shipwreck, Martim Afonso de Sousa returned to the areas of São Vicente and Santos in 1532. He led his troops up the Serra do Mar mountains. Native people and earlier Portuguese settlers, like João Ramalho, helped guide them.
On a high plateau, Sousa founded the town of Santo André. This area was near where the city of São Paulo would later be built. He also started a sugar mill close to the coast in São Vicente. The sugarcane for this mill came from the Portuguese Cape Verde islands.
These actions set a pattern for future Portuguese settlers in Brazil. They would explore deep into the land and produce sugar along the coast to sell to other countries.
Governor of Brazil and India
Martim Afonso de Sousa became the first Royal Governor of Brazil. This meant he was the main official appointed by the king to govern the new colony. He settled in the northeastern part of what is now Brazil.
Later, Sousa also helped Portugal gain control of Diu in India in 1535. From 1542 to 1545, he served as the governor of Portuguese India. His time as governor there was quite eventful.
Later Life and Advisor to the Queen
Because of his long friendship with King John III, Martim Afonso de Sousa hoped to receive a special title, like an earl, after his service in India. He did not get the title he wanted.
However, he became a trusted advisor to Catherine of Austria. She was King John III's widow and ruled Portugal from 1557 to 1562. Martim Afonso de Sousa died in Lisbon, Portugal, in 1564.
See also
In Spanish: Martim Afonso de Sousa para niños
