How did the search for a sea route to India evolve?

The search for a sea route to India evolved through advancements in navigation, exploration, and the desire for trade.

In the late 15th century, European powers were keen to establish direct trade links with Asia, particularly India, to access its lucrative spice trade. The overland routes were long, dangerous, and controlled by the Ottoman Empire, which was a rival to the European powers. Therefore, the Europeans, especially the Portuguese and the Spanish, began to search for a sea route to India.

The Age of Discovery, which began in the early 15th century, saw significant advancements in navigation and shipbuilding. The development of the astrolabe and the magnetic compass greatly improved sea navigation, making long-distance sea travel more feasible. The caravel, a new type of ship, was faster, more manoeuvrable, and could sail against the wind, making it ideal for exploration.

Portugal, under the leadership of Prince Henry the Navigator, was at the forefront of this exploration. Henry established a school of navigation and sponsored many expeditions along the west coast of Africa, gradually pushing further south. In 1488, Bartolomeu Dias, a Portuguese explorer, became the first European to round the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa, proving that a sea route to India was possible.

However, it was Vasco da Gama, another Portuguese explorer, who successfully reached India by sea in 1498. Da Gama's voyage was a significant milestone in the European Age of Discovery and marked the beginning of the Portuguese Empire in the East. His route, around the Cape of Good Hope and across the Indian Ocean, became the standard route for European ships.

Meanwhile, Spain, Portugal's rival, also sought a sea route to India. Christopher Columbus proposed reaching India by sailing westward. Although he did not reach India, his voyages led to the discovery of the Americas in 1492.

The search for a sea route to India was driven by the desire for trade and the competition between European powers. It led to significant advancements in navigation and exploration, and ultimately, to the Age of Discovery and the establishment of European empires in Asia.