Pedro Cabral

Pedro Álvares Cabral, a Portuguese explorer, is famous for being the first European to discover Brazil.

On a mission to reach the East Indies by sailing around Africa, Pedro Cabral sailed from Portugal with a fleet of 13 well-armed ships and 1500 men on March 9, 1500.

At first he was off course and consequently discovered Brazil.

Cabral eventually reached Calicut, or Kozhikode, on India's Malabar coast, where he was given a warehouse and his crew was given lodging. He was well received by Calicut's ruler.

However, some Muslims attacked the warehouse and killed half of the 70 Portuguese who were occupying it.

In retaliation, Cabral sank ten Muslim ships and murdered their crews. He also bombarded Calicut and terrorized the Hindus and their ruler.

Cabral left to return to Lisbon on January 15, 1501, but only after filling his ships with treasure taken from Calicut.

Just 7 of the original 13 ships survived the journey home.