Vasco da Gama in Calicut, India. Historical artwork of the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama (1460-1524, left) being granted a second audience by the Zamorin (ruler) of Calicut (Kozhikode), a city and kingdom on the south-western coast of India. The Portuguese embassy had arrived here in May 1498 during Vasco da Gama's first voyage of 1497-9. The Zamorin was unimpressed with the gifts presented, and trading relations were not established. However, it was this voyage that opened up the maritime trading route from Europe to India, and helped make Portugal a world power. This artwork is from the Lisbon Geographic Society.