USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Spices, gold and other riches attracted various explorers to India, these goods were valuable in Europe but they had to travel or sail long ways over sea and land to acquire them in Asia. Hence, Europeans were keen on finding a faster way to reach India by sailing around South Africa.

Detailed explanation-2: -Portugal’s purpose in the Indian Ocean was to ensure the monopoly of the spice trade. Taking advantage of the rivalries that pitted Hindus against Muslims, the Portuguese established several forts and trading posts between 1500 and 1510.

Detailed explanation-3: -While they could trade with the Ottomans and Arabs, the price of this trading was too exorbitant for the European economy. As such the Portuguese and other Europeans sought a direct trade route to India that would bypass the Turks and Arabs. This is the reason why the Portuguese came to India.

Detailed explanation-4: -But due to the political crisis created by the Turkish empire, the land route connecting India to the European countries was closed. At the same time, Indian resources were in great demand in European countries. These factors pushed the Europeans to discover a new sea route to India.

Detailed explanation-5: -Hint: In 1453, after the fall of the Ottoman Empire and the capture of Constantinople, it became difficult for the Europeans to trade with India via a land route. Hence, they searched for a new sea route. Complete Answer: In 1498, Vasco da Gama of Portugal discovered a new sea route via the Cape of Good Hope to India.