Correct Option
All three fruits listed – papaya, pineapple, and guava – were introduced to India by the Portuguese during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. These introductions were part of the broader Columbian Exchange, which saw the global dissemination of plants, animals, and culture following European contact with the Americas.
- Pineapple: Native to South America, particularly Brazil, it was brought to India by the Portuguese in the sixteenth century. Historical records, such as Abul Fazl's Ain-i-Akbari (circa 1590s), mention its presence, referring to it as 'Kathal-i-Safari.'
- Papaya: Originating from Central America, papaya reached India through Portuguese trade routes, often via intermediaries like the Philippines and Malacca. Its cultivation in India is documented by European travelers, such as Pietro Della Valle, who observed it in Portuguese Daman in 1623.
- Guava: Also native to Central America, guava was introduced by Portuguese traders in the early seventeenth century. It quickly adapted to the Indian climate and became widely cultivated.
Incorrect Options
Options (A) Only one, (B) Only two, and (D) None are incorrect because all three fruits mentioned – papaya, pineapple, and guava – are non-native species that were successfully introduced into India by the Portuguese through their extensive trade networks during the specified period.