Who was the ruler of Calicut at the time of Vasco da Gama’s arrival in India in 1498?

Key Fact(s)

When Vasco da Gama reached Calicut in 1498, the city was governed by the Zamorin (Samoothiri), a powerful ruler on the Malabar Coast. The Zamorin was not merely a local king but the supreme authority controlling the pepper and spice trade of the region. Calicut under his rule functioned as an international commercial entrepôt, frequented by Arab, Chinese, and European merchants.

The Zamorin followed a policy of religious tolerance and open trade, which initially allowed the Portuguese to establish contacts. However, conflicts later emerged due to Portuguese attempts to monopolize trade. The Zamorin’s rule thus forms a crucial backdrop to the early phase of European–Indian interactions.