It wasn't just a coincidence! First, the monsoon winds were their personal GPS, reliably blowing them straight from Arabia and Africa, and then reversing to send them back. Second, Kerala was overflowing with highly sought-after spiceslike black pepper – basically, ancient gold! Its natural harbors were perfect pit stops, and local rulers were famously welcoming to traders.

From Romans to Arabs, everyone loved Kerala. No wonder Vasco da Gama parked his ships there first!