This Portuguese explorer was named Vasco da Gama. He embarked on his journey in 1497, commissioned by the Portuguese king to find a maritime route to India. After venturing around the Cape of Good Hope, da Gama arrived in the Indian city of Calicut (now Kozhikode) in May 1498. This marked a significant milestone as it established a direct sea route from Europe to India, bypassing the Ottoman Empire's trade monopoly. Da Gama's successful voyage opened up new avenues for European exploration and ultimately laid the foundation for Portugal's dominance in the Indian Ocean trade for the next century.
