Michael Vaughan became only the fifth English batsman in history to score four Test hundreds in one summer.
Yorkshire batsman Vaughan, 27, continued his excellent form in 2002 with his fifth Test ton as England reached 271 for one after captain Nasser Hussain won a crucial toss at the AMP Oval.
Vaughan's only aberration was an error of judgement on 59 when he hit uppishly straight to mid-off and set off for a single.
Partner Mark Butcher, who shared in an ongoing stand of 173 for the second wicket, declined the call and Sourav Ganguly's throw to the batsman's end failed to beat Vaughan's dive by a matter of an inch as third umpire Neil Mallender deliberated over numerous replays.
Although not the most fluent innings of the summer, Vaughan's trademark cover drives provided the bulk of his runs and he reached a circumspect half-century from 92 deliveries shortly after lunch when he drove off the back foot for an eighth boundary.
After a quiet period in the 80s, though, a late cut to the boundary off Anil Kumble took Vaughan to within three of his landmark and he reached 100 with a drive to mid-off where Ajit Agarkar misfielded to allow a scampered single.
He punched the air with delight and then opened up, using his feet to twin spin threat Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble to hit a number of boundaries.
Vaughan had moved to 142 not out while the more reserved Butcher was unbeaten on 53.
The returning Marcus Trescothick was the only wicket to fall, in the morning session, as a steepling hook off Zaheer Khan found its way to Sanjay Bangar at fine leg.
Back in the side after a broken thumb sidelined him for six weeks, the left-handed Trescothick dominated the opening stand of 98 to make 57.