Pedro Álvares Cabral was a Portuguese navigator and explorer who is credited with discovering Brazil in 1500, during his voyage to India. Cabral's expedition was intended to establish trade relations with India, but after encountering strong winds in the Atlantic, he sailed further west than planned and landed on the coast of Brazil. This led to Portugal's claim of the land and eventual colonization of the region. Cabral also played a role in the Portuguese colonization of Mozambique, and he participated in several military expeditions in the Indian Ocean.