Vasco da Gama
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Vasco da Gama (1460-1524) was a Portuguese explorer during the Age of Discovery who found an ocean route to India by sailing eastward around Africa and up the East African coast between 1497 and 1499, with the help of the powerful monsoon winds.[1]
Shortly thereafter, regular trade was established with India under the Portuguese King Manuel, and conflict began with the Muslims over dominance of Indian Ocean trade.
Notes
- ↑ Vasco da Gama was the first European to open a sea-based trade route to India. In an epic voyage, he sailed around Africa's Cape of Good Hope and succeeded in breaking the monopoly of Arab and Venetian spice traders. [1]