Final answer:
The presence of a Portuguese Christian missionary in India during this period can be attributed to the Portuguese desire to tap into the lucrative spice trade and convert Indians to Roman Catholicism in order to gain economic advantages and strengthen Christian influence in the region.
Step-by-step explanation:
The presence of a Portuguese Christian missionary in India during this period can be best explained by the Portuguese's desire to tap into the lucrative spice trade and their efforts to convert Indians to Roman Catholicism.
The Portuguese were driven to explore new trade routes, including the Indian Ocean, in search of valuable spices like cloves, pepper, and ginger. By establishing trading ports in India and acquiring territories like Goa, they aimed to divert the spice trade from the Muslim world to European sea trade, thereby weakening Muslim traders and strengthening Christian nations.
To support their trade and dominance, Portuguese Jesuit priests accompanied sailors and soldiers to India, actively converting lower-status Hindus to Roman Catholicism with the hope of improving their social position and gaining economic advantages.