In 1502, Vasco da Gama had a fleet on the second voyage that consisted of 20 armed ships. Ten of the ships were directly under his command, with his uncle and nephew helming the others. He and his crew terrorized Muslim ports up and down the African east coast, and set ablaze a Muslim ship returning from Mecca, killing the several hundreds of people (including women and children) who were on board. The crew then moved to Calicut, where they wrecked the city's trade port and killed 38 hostages. From there, they moved to the city of Cochin, a city south of Calicut, where da Gama formed an alliance with the local ruler. On February 20, 1503 Vasco da Gama and his crew began to make their way home.
After returning from his voyage in India, Vasco married a woman and she bore him six sons and one daughter. For about the next 20 years Vasco still maintained contact with King Manuel and he advised him on the Indian matters. Vasco was named count of Vidigueira in 1519. Later after the death of Ming Manuel, Vasco returned to India to contend with the corruption of Portuguese officials in the country. Vasco da Gama was named Portuguese viceroy in India by King John III in 1524. Vasco died that same year from overworking himself. Vasco died in Cochin and then his body was sailed back to Portugal for burial in