Vasco da Gama was a Portuguese explorer who is best known for being the first European to reach India by sea. He was born in Sines, Portugal in 1469 and came from a family of explorers and nobles. In his early years, he received an education in navigation and seamanship, which would prove crucial in his later expeditions.
In 1497, at the age of 28, da Gama set sail from Lisbon with a fleet of four ships on a mission to find a sea route to India. This was a highly sought-after route at the time as it would allow for direct trade with the lucrative markets of Asia without having to go through the dangerous land routes controlled by Muslim traders.
After months of sailing along the coast of Africa, da Gama and his crew finally reached Calicut, India in May 1498. This successful voyage opened up new trade routes for Portugal and established them as a major player in the Indian Ocean trade.
Da Gama made two more voyages to India, each time establishing Portuguese trading posts and expanding their influence in the region. However, his expeditions were not without conflict as he encountered resistance from local rulers and faced challenges such as disease and mutiny among his crew.
