Explain why the Europeans in the late fifteenth century very keen to

find a trade route to Asia?

Europeans desired a direct sea route to Asia, because the land trade
routes were expensive and dangerous; they wanted to cut out the
middle man, in order to save money and receive more product; and
the European countries wanted to exert their own influence.

Describe how the Portuguese change their interaction with the

subcontinent in the sixteenth century.
 They became more aggressive in their trading practices. They
began to use force to compel local rulers to trade with them, and
they also began to demand higher prices for their goods.
 They began to colonize parts of the subcontinent. They established
forts and trading posts in key locations, and they also began to
Christianize the local population.
 They became more involved in the political affairs of the
subcontinent. They supported certain local rulers against their
rivals, and they also intervened in wars between different
kingdoms.
 They had a major impact on the economy of the subcontinent.
They controlled the spice trade, and they also introduced new
technologies and products.
 They had a significant impact on the culture of the subcontinent.
They introduced new religions, foods, and customs.

What gave the Dutch merchants an advantage over the

Portuguese and the English?
They sailed faster, cheaper, and more powerful ships, which offered
both an economic and a military edge over their competitors.
Was the Dutch advantage over the Portuguese the same as their
advantage on the English?
Explanation: English and Dutch merchants enjoyed two main
advantages over their Portuguese predecessors. They sailed faster,
cheaper, and more powerful ships, which offered both an economic
and a military edge over their competitors.

What were the main actions of Robert Clive that helped him to
win the battle of Plassey?
Robert Clive bribed Mir Jafar, the commander-in-chief of the Nawab's
army, and also promised to make him Nawab of Bengal. Clive
defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah at Plassey in 1757 and captured Calcutta.
The battle was preceded by an attack on British-controlled Calcutta by
Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah and the Black Hole massacre.