Vasco da Gama
Vasco da Gama commanded the first European expedition to reach India by sea, arriving at Calicut in May 1498 after rounding Africa. His voyage broke the Arab-Venetian spice monopoly and opened an oceanic trade route that transformed European commerce. He led two further expeditions to India and served briefly as Viceroy of Portuguese India before dying at Cochin in 1524.
- Lived: 1469 CE – 1524 CE
- Nationality: portuguese
- Roles: navigator, explorer, viceroy
