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Vasco da Gama discovered the sea route to India in the year _______.
A)1497
B)1492
C)1490
D)1453

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Answer
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Hint: Vasco da Gama was born in 1460 in Sines, Portugal. he joined the Navy, where he was taught how to navigate and later he solidified his reputation as a sailor and voyager. he died in Cochin in 1524, his body was sailed back to Portugal and buried there in 1538.

Complete Step by step answer:
Option A-In the year 1497, 'King Manuel I 'of Portugal commissioned Vasco da Gama, to find a maritime route to the East; he commanded a voyage with ‘any ship he desired’ and discovered the sea route to India. Vasco set sail on the Sao Gabriel with a fleet of three ships named Gabriel, Rafael and Michael on 8th July 1497,and a crew of 170 men from Lisbon, in search of India but it was a tough sail but he steered towards the land.
They reached Calicut, India on May 20 1498 where he ended up staying for three months. In August 1498, da Gama and his men ventured back to Portugal .Vasco da Gama's success on exploring the sea route proved to be an instrumental moment in history. His discovery of the sea route to India gave the Portuguese a strategic advantage. This ocean route was significant in establishing a permanent route from Europe to India via Cape of Good Hope and simultaneously ensured that Portugal had an unchallenged monopoly to the vast Indian spices making them the undisputed lords of trade, in Europe for some time.
Option B- 1492 is an incorrect answer.
Option C-1490 is an incorrect answer.
Option D-1453 is an incorrect option.

Note: Vasco da Gama, subsequently made two other voyages to India and was appointed as Portuguese viceroy in India in 1524.He maintained his contacts with the king and advised him on trade matters linked with India.