Vasco-da-Gama was a very successful Portuguese sailor. He is credited for the discovery of the sea route to India from Europe. In 1497,King Manuel I sent a Portuguese expedition to India under Vasco-da-Gama in search of a maritime route from Western Europe to the East.

On 27th May 1498, a Portuguese sailor, Vasco da Gama crossed the Cape of Good Hope and reached Calicut in India. He was given a warm reception by the Hindu ruler, King Zamorin of Calicut.