I'll exclude Alexander the great's brief conquest of parts of NE India as he wasn't able to hold this territory. The first European countries to establish permanent settlements (trading-posts initially) in India from 1500 onwards were the Portuguese. They were followed by the Dutch and French; and the English were relative lateccomers. However, I think it would misleading to speak of any European country 'ruling' India or any really large part of it till the British conquered Bengal in 1757. Joncey
A water route
SAIL
You can't sail across Africa. No water.
silk
they thought europeans were backward
VASCO daGAMA
The Portuguese were the first Europeans to sail directly to Asia. They were first to reach the shores of India, China, Indonesia and several other places.
As far as we know at this time.
The first Europeans to colonize India were the Portuguese at Goa, followed by the Dutch, French, and finally, the British.
the muslims adopted and passed on the numerical system of india
Portugal was the first country to sail eastward. Vasco da Gama was the first to sail around Africa and discover India
Spain
Vasco da Gama
in india
Christopher Columbus is the first European to sail to the America's.
The first Europeans to sail across the Indian Ocean were Portuguese led by Vasco da Gama. They were looking for an ocean route to the East, so as to cut out the middlemen in their trade with India and China.
A water route