Who were the first Europeans to arrive in India for trade?

Key Fact(s)

The Portuguese were the earliest Europeans to establish direct trade relations with India through the sea route. In 1498, Vasco da Gama reached Calicut on the Malabar Coast, opening the direct maritime link between Europe and India via the Cape of Good Hope. This discovery allowed the Portuguese to bypass traditional land and Arab-controlled trade routes.

Subsequently, they established factories and forts at key coastal locations like Goa, Cochin, and Diu. Their primary objective was to control the spice trade, especially pepper. The Portuguese arrival marked the beginning of European commercial and colonial involvement in India.