The discovery of India, in the context of European exploration, is attributed to the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama. He was the first European to reach India by sea, successfully establishing a maritime route from Europe to the Indian subcontinent. Vasco da Gama's historic voyage took place from 1497 to 1499, and he landed on the southwestern coast of India at Calicut (now Kozhikode, Kerala) on May 20, 1498

. This sea route, which rounded the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa, was significant because it allowed direct access to India for trade, especially for spices, bypassing the overland routes controlled by Muslim traders. This event marked the beginning of European maritime trade with India and the establishment of Portuguese colonial influence in the region

. In summary:

• Vasco da Gama discovered the sea route to India.
• He arrived in India in 1498, specifically on May 20.
• His landing place was Calicut on the Malabar Coast of Kerala.
• This discovery was a major milestone in global exploration and trade