Q1. Which of the following was the primary reason for European nations seeking new sea routes to India in the 15th and 16th centuries?
- To spread Christianity
- To bypass the Arab and Venetian monopolies on trade
- To establish military dominance over Asia
- To discover new lands for settlement
Correct Option: 2. To bypass the Arab and Venetian monopolies on trade.
Explanation: European nations, particularly Spain and Portugal, sought to break the monopolies held by Arab and Venetian merchants in order to directly access the lucrative spice trade and other goods from India and Southeast Asia. The fall of Constantinople and the rise of the Ottoman Empire further pushed Europeans to find new sea routes to Asia.
Q2. Who is credited with discovering a sea route to India by sailing around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope?
- Christopher Columbus
- Ferdinand Magellan
- Vasco da Gama
- Marco Polo
Correct Option: 3. Vasco da Gama.
Explanation: Vasco da Gama, a Portuguese navigator, discovered the sea route to India in 1498 by sailing around the Cape of Good Hope (Southern Africa). His successful voyage to Calicut opened a new and safer trade route to India.
Q3. Which country monopolized the Eastern spice trade for nearly a century before other European powers began competing?
- Portugal
- France
- Netherlands
- Spain
Correct Option: 1. Portugal.
Explanation: Portugal controlled the spice trade in Asia for almost a century, establishing trading posts and forts along the Indian coastline and throughout Southeast Asia. Their naval power and the use of force helped them dominate trade during this period.
Q4. The demand for which product in Europe played a major role in motivating European nations to seek new trade routes to Asia?
- Gold
- Timber
- Textiles
- Spices
Correct Option: 4. Spices.
Explanation: Spices were in high demand in Europe, where they were used to flavor and preserve food, especially during the winter months when fresh produce was scarce. This demand for spices drove European exploration and trade expeditions to the East.
Q5. What was the main reason behind the decline of Portuguese power in Asia by the 17th century?
- The defeat in the Spanish Armada
- Portugal’s limited resources and manpower
- The rise of the Dutch East India Company
- A series of natural disasters
Correct Option: 2. Portugal’s limited resources and manpower.
Explanation: Despite initial success, Portugal’s small population, autocratic governance, and lagging technological development led to its decline in Asia. It was unable to compete with the rising powers of England and the Netherlands, particularly after it became a Spanish dependency in 1580.