Which explorer was the first to sail from Europe to India, creating an important commercial sea route?

Vasco da Gama was the first explorer to successfully sail directly from Europe to India, establishing a crucial sea route that significantly impacted global trade. In the late 15th century, European nations were eager to find a maritime path to the rich markets of Asia, particularly for spices and luxury goods. Da Gama's voyage in 1497, which took him around the southern tip of Africa and up the eastern coast of India, opened a direct sea trade route that facilitated the exchange of goods and ideas between Europe and the Indian subcontinent.

This achievement not only marked a significant milestone in the Age of Exploration but also laid the groundwork for Portuguese dominance in the Indian Ocean trade network. The establishment of this route allowed Portugal to become a leading maritime power, subsequently influencing European interactions with Asia for centuries to come. In contrast, the other explorers mentioned undertook different journeys that did not establish a direct trade route to India; Columbus famously aimed for Asia but ended up in the Americas, while Magellan's expedition was focused on finding a westward route to the Spice Islands, and Cortés was primarily involved in the conquest of the Aztec Empire in Mexico.