Vasco da Gama
After eight decades of Portuguese exploration and discovery on Africa's west coast, Vasco da Gama (c.1469-1524) was the first European to sail to India via the Cape of Good Hope.
After da Gama left Lisbon in 1497, a three-month loop through the South Atlantic without sighting land brought him to South Africa's west coast.
After rounding the Cape, he reached Malindi early the following year, found a skilful pilot, crossed the Indian Ocean, and arrived at Calicut in 1498.
Negotiations with Calicut's ruler soon became hostile, and da Gama had to fight his way out of the harbour.
An arduous return journey brought him back to Lisbon in September 1499.
After leading the fourth Portuguese armada to the Indies, he was appointed Viceroy of India in 1524.
Da Gama died in Cochin later that year, and his body returned to Portugal in 1539.
