When did Europeans discover India?

The earliest evidence of European contact with India dates back to the 4th century BC, when Greek explorers and merchants sailed to the Indian subcontinent. However, it was not until the 15th century AD that Europeans began to explore India in a more systematic way. In 1498, the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama became the first European to sail directly to India from Europe. This event marked the beginning of a long period of European exploration, trade, and colonization in India.