sentences:  The forerunners of "Casa da Índia" arose with the Portuguese exploration of the African coast, to manage new trade opportunities.As early as 1434 the "Casa de Ceuta" was founded in Lisbon, but it was not very successful because the Muslim merchants diverted the trade routes from Ceuta to other places.Around 1443 in Lagos, Algarve, the "Casa de Arguim" and "Casa da Guiné", were established to administer Prince Henry the Navigator's monopoly on African trade - essentially a set of sheds, warehouses and customs offices, dedicated to outfitting ships, hiring captains and crews, handing out trading licenses, receiving and selling goods and collecting dues.