Answer: (Detailed Solution Below)
Option B: 7,000 km
Detailed Solution:
The correct answer is “7,000 km”.
Prior to the construction of the Suez Canal, ships traveling between India and Europe had to sail around the southern tip of Africa, known as the Cape of Good Hope. This route added a significant distance to the journey.
The Suez Canal created a shortcut, reducing the maritime distance between India and Europe by approximately 7,000 kilometers.