Why is Vasco de Gama important?

Vasco de Gama was a Portuguese explorer; he is an important figure because he was the first to reach India by sailing around Africa. He sailed from Lisbon in 1497 with the aim to reach India and open a sea route from Europe to the East. He had numerous stops in Africa before reaching the trading post of Calicut, India (now Kozhikode) in May 1498.

He went on a second expedition to India in 1502 but he was attacked by some Muslim traders that killed 50 of his men, he retaliated by burning 10 of their cargo vessels. In 1524, he went on his third expedition to India after being appointed as Portuguese viceroy in India by King John III.

Vasco de Gama fell ill and died in December 1524 in Cochin.