Vasco da Gama (c.1469-1524) was the first European to sail to India via the Cape of Good Hope after eight decades of Portuguese exploration and discovery on Africa's west coast. Da Gama left Lisbon in 1497 and reached South Africa's west coast after a three-month loop through the South Atlantic without sighting land.
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. After a difficult return journey, da Gama reached Lisbon in 1499.
He subsequently led the fourth Portuguese armada to the Indies and was appointed Viceroy of India in 1524. He died in Cochin late that year, and his body returned to Portugal in 1539.