About João Cabral
Lived 1599 – 1669 (aged 69–70). João Cabral was an explorer and missionary.
João Cabral, SJ (1599 – ?) was a Portuguese Jesuit missionary, who, along with Estêvão Cacella, were the first Europeans to enter Bhutan in 1627. The following year he became the first European to visit neighboring Nepal and the Sikkim region of India.
Cabral was born in Celorico da Beira, Portugal, in 1599. In 1615 he joined the Society of Jesus, and on September 5, 1626 he left for the Tibetan planes in the hopes of finding the mythic Kingdom of Shambala and spreading the Christian faith. After pushing through with both his plans, he returned to India and continued his missionary career in Malaka, Macau and Japan.
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Important facts
People in João Cabral's life
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Frequently asked questions
Who was João Cabral?
Portuguese missionary and explorer
When was João Cabral born?
João Cabral was born in 1599 in Celorico da Beira.
When did João Cabral die?
João Cabral died on 4 July 1669 in Goa.
What was João Cabral's occupation?
João Cabral was an explorer and missionary.
What nationality was João Cabral?
João Cabral's recorded nationality: Kingdom of Portugal.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). João Cabral. https://biography.guide/joao-cabral/
MLA: "João Cabral." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/joao-cabral/.
Chicago: "João Cabral." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/joao-cabral/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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