Who among the following was the first to arrive in Africa as traders that eventually led to European colonization of Africa?
- A.French
- B.Spanish
- C.Portuguese
- D.Dutch
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is C, Portuguese. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to reach Africa's coasts as traders, and their trading posts began the long story of European colonisation of the continent. Encouraged by Prince Henry the Navigator, Portugal captured Ceuta in North Africa in 1415 and then sent ships steadily down the west African coast in search of gold, ivory and a sea route to the spices of Asia. They set up forts such as Elmina in present-day Ghana in 1482, and Bartolomeu Dias rounded the Cape of Good Hope in 1488. Vasco da Gama followed that route to reach Calicut in 1498. Option A is wrong because the French came later, mainly in the seventeenth century, to places such as Senegal. Option B is wrong because Spain put its main effort into the Americas after 1492 and held only small posts in Africa. Option D is wrong because the Dutch arrived much later and founded Cape Colony only in 1652. Exam tip: the Portuguese came first to both Africa and India: Ceuta 1415, Cape 1488, Calicut 1498.
Practice Questions
View allWho among the following was the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army of independent India?
- A.S. M. Srinagesh
- B.K. M. Cariappa
- C.K. S. Thimayya
- D.K. S. Rajendrasinhji
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General K. M. Cariappa took over as the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army on 15 January 1949. He succeeded General Sir Francis Butcher, the last British chief, and the day he took charge is celebrated every year as Army Day on 15 January.
Read the full explanation →Which of the following statements with regard to the speech of Mahatma Gandhi at the opening of the Banaras Hindu University are correct? 1. He charged the Indian elite with a lack of concern for the labouring poor. 2. He asserted that our salvation can come only through the farmers. 3. He highlighted the plight of the untouchables. 4. He promised to take up the cause of the mill owners of Ahmedabad. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- A.1, 2, 3 and 4
- B.1 and 2 only
- C.1, 2 and 3 only
- D.3 and 4 only
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At the opening of Banaras Hindu University in February 1916, Gandhi criticised the elite for ignoring the poor and said India's salvation lay with its farmers.
Read the full explanation →In the 10th Mandala of the Rigveda, which one of the following hymns reflects upon the marriage ceremonies?
- A.Surya Sukta
- B.Purusha Sukta
- C.Dana Stutis
- D.Urna Sutra
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The Surya Sukta (Rigveda X.85) describes the wedding of Surya, daughter of the Sun, and is the source of the Vedic marriage rites.
Read the full explanation →The Sanikatta Salt Works, known for Salt Satyagraha, is located in :
- A.Gujarat
- B.Tamil Nadu
- C.Kerala
- D.Karnataka
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Sanikatta lies near Gokarna in the Uttara Kannada district of coastal Karnataka. Sanikatta is one of the oldest traditional salt pans on the west coast, where sea water is let into the fields at the mouth of the Aghanashini river and dried by the sun.
Read the full explanation →Which of the following statements about the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) are correct? 1. It began as the political wing of the Singh Sabhas in the late 19th century. 2. It was formed in 1920 as part of the upcoming Akali movement. 3. It was founded to reclaim control of the Sikh shrines from the government manipulated loyalist committees. 4. It formed the Akali Dal to coordinate groups (Jathas) to reclaim control of the shrines. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- A.1, 3 and 4
- B.2, 3 and 4
- C.2 and 4 only
- D.2 and 3 only
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The SGPC was born in 1920 out of the Gurdwara reform (Akali) movement, not out of the Singh Sabhas of the nineteenth century.
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