Background
The exact date of the birth of Martim Afonso de Sousa remains unknown, but some authorities arbitrarily give 1500. He was born in Vila Vicosa, Portugal and grew up closely attached to the royal court.
The exact date of the birth of Martim Afonso de Sousa remains unknown, but some authorities arbitrarily give 1500. He was born in Vila Vicosa, Portugal and grew up closely attached to the royal court.
Disturbed by increasing foreign commerce along the Brazilian coast, Portugal's King Joao III decided to send an expedition to his South American colony to drive away the interlopers, further explore the coast, and establish at least one permanent settlement. In 1530 he selected Martim Afonso de Sousa and delegated extensive powers to him as "chief captain of the fleet and lands" of Brazil. Under the command of Sousa, a fleet of five ships embarked for Brazil in December 1530. After reconnoitering the coast from Pernambuco to the Rio de la Plata, Sousa founded the settlement of Sao Vicente in 1532. The Portuguese built a chapel, a small governmental headquarters, two tiny fortresses, and quarters for the men. Capt. Sousa appointed municipal officers and distributed the land with lavish generosity. Wheat, grape vines, and sugarcane were planted; cattle were introduced; and the first sugar mill was put into operation in 1533. On the plateau high above Sao Vicente, Sousa established a second small settlement, Piratininga, near present-day Sao Paulo. Returning to Portugal in 1533, Sousa left behind a viable colony.
Sousa never returned to Brazil, but his captaincy continued to prosper. In 1534 the King dispatched Sousa to the East as the chief captain of a new expedition. He spent 5 years fighting Portugal's rivals and enemies along the Indian coast before sailing back to Lisbon.
In 1542 the Crown appointed him viceroy of India, a post he held for 3 years, the customary tour of duty. Once again he made the long sea voyage back to Lisbon, this time to occupy a post on the Council of State.
Few facts are known about the last decades of his life. He died on July 21, 1564, in Lisbon.
Sousa was married to Ana Pimentel.