# History: Alfonso, Indonesian Spices and Portuguese Expansion to Asia

Alfonso de Albuquerque, the second Portuguese Governor of Estado da India, the Portuguese Kingdom in Asia, was the main architect of Portuguese expansion into Asia.

INDEPHEDIA.com - Indonesia has always been famous for its spices. It was Alfonso (written by Afonso) de Albuquerque, a figure from Portugal who made the Archipelago region known at that time to Europeans and the start of centuries of colonization by the Portuguese along with other European nations, especially Britain and the Netherlands.

From the Tajo River which empties into the Atlantic Ocean the Portuguese fleet sailed the Atlantic Ocean, passing through the Cape of Good Hope Africa, towards the Straits of Malacca. From here the exploration continued to the Maluku Islands in search of spices, commodities that were equivalent to gold at the time.

Alfonso de Albuquerque, the second Portuguese Governor of Estado da India, the Portuguese Kingdom in Asia, was the main architect of Portuguese expansion into Asia. From Goa, he led an expedition directly to Malacca and arrived there in early July 1511 carrying 15 large and small ships and 600 soldiers.

Alfonso and his troops defeated Malacca on August 10, 1511. Since then, the Portuguese have controlled the spice trade from Asia to Europe. After capturing Malacca, the Portuguese expedition led by Antonio de Abreu reached Maluku, the center of the spices.

In honor of Portuguese maritime history, the Maritime Museum or the Portuguese called the Museu de Marinha was founded by King Luis on July 22, 1863. In addition to the statue in the park, Afonso de Albuquerque's paintings also became the museum's collection. Under the painting is written: "Governor of India 1509-1515". (SJ.IN/ENG/*)