- 1. In the late 15th century, as the Age of Discovery unfolded, the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama set out on a monumental voyage that would forever change the course of history. His journey aimed to establish a direct maritime route to India, a land rich in spices and wealth that had long been dominated by Arab and Ottoman trade networks. Departing from Lisbon in 1497, da Gama undertook the audacious task of sailing around the southern tip of Africa, navigating perilous waters that were fraught with challenges, including treacherous storms and the threat of hostile encounters. His expeditions strategically outflanked the Islamic trade routes that had monopolized commerce in the Indian Ocean, allowing Portugal to establish a foothold in the spice trade and to spread Christianity amidst the rising tide of Islam. Upon reaching the shores of India, da Gama's successful mission opened up new avenues for trade and cultural exchange, contributing to an era of European imperial expansion, while also igniting conflicts that would shape the geopolitical landscape of the region for centuries to come.
Who was the explorer who sailed around Africa to India, outflanking Islam?
A) Christopher Columbus
B) Marco Polo
C) Ferdinand Magellan
D) Vasco Da Gama
- 2. In what year did Vasco Da Gama sail around Africa to India?
A) 1498
B) 1520
C) 1588
D) 1453
- 3. Which country sponsored Vasco Da Gama's voyage to India?
A) Portugal
B) Spain
C) England
D) France
- 4. What was the name of Vasco Da Gama's flagship during his voyage to India?
A) São Gabriel
B) Trinidad
C) Victoria
D) Santa Maria
- 5. Which sea did Vasco Da Gama cross on his way to India?
A) Pacific Ocean
B) Mediterranean Sea
C) Atlantic Ocean
D) Indian Ocean
- 6. Which Indian city did Vasco Da Gama reach first during his voyage?
A) Mumbai
B) Goa
C) Calicut
D) Kochi
- 7. Who was the ruler of Calicut when Vasco Da Gama arrived?
A) Zamorin
B) Raja of Mysore
C) Emperor Akbar
D) Sultan of Delhi
- 8. What valuable commodity did Vasco Da Gama seek in India?
A) Spices
B) Tea
C) Silk
D) Gold
- 9. When did Vasco Da Gama die?
A) 1549
B) 1535
C) 1524
D) 1500
- 10. Who was the ruler of Portugal during Vasco Da Gama's voyage to India?
A) Manuel I
B) Isabella I
C) Henry the Navigator
D) Ferdinand Magellan
- 11. What motivated Portuguese explorers like Vasco Da Gama to find a sea route to India?
A) Desire for direct access to valuable spices
B) Religious conversion of native populations
C) Search for new territories to conquer
D) Escape from political turmoil in Europe
- 12. Which European power posed the greatest competition to Portugal in the search for a sea route to India?
A) Netherlands
B) Spain
C) England
D) France
- 13. In which century did Vasco Da Gama complete his journey to India?
A) 14th century
B) 13th century
C) 15th century
D) 16th century
- 14. What nickname was given to Vasco Da Gama's route to India?
A) The Cape Route
B) The Golden Path
C) The Silk Road
D) The Spice Trail
- 15. What geographic feature marked the southern tip of Africa that Vasco Da Gama had to navigate around?
A) Strait of Gibraltar
B) Suez Canal
C) Horn of Africa
D) Cape of Good Hope
- 16. Which of the following was NOT a major European power involved in early exploration endeavors?
A) Portugal
B) Spain
C) England
D) Russia
- 17. What disease caused significant mortality among Vasco Da Gama's crew during the voyage to India?
A) Malaria
B) Scurvy
C) Yellow fever
D) Cholera
- 18. Which of the following was a technology that aided European explorers like Vasco Da Gama in their travels?
A) Steam engine
B) Astrolabe
C) Telescope
D) Printing press
- 19. Who succeeded Vasco Da Gama as Viceroy of Portuguese India?
A) Francisco de Almeida
B) Pedro Álvares Cabral
C) Vicente Sodré
D) Afonso de Albuquerque
- 20. What trade goods were particularly sought after in Europe from Asia during Vasco Da Gama's time?
A) Salt, sugar, and honey
B) Wine, olives, and wheat
C) Pepper, cinnamon, and cloves
D) Cotton, silk, and ceramics
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