The correct option is (c) 3 and 4 only.
Explanation
The medieval and early modern periods in Indian history witnessed significant agricultural changes due to the interaction with foreign traders and travelers. The arrival of Europeans, particularly the Portuguese, facilitated the Columbian Exchange, introducing several "New World" crops to the Indian subcontinent.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Incorrect: Corn (maize) and chillies are not indigenous to India. They originated in the Americas (Mesoamerica and South America) and were introduced to India by European traders (primarily the Portuguese) during the 16th and 17th centuries. Before this, black pepper was the primary spice used for pungency.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: Tea and coffee were not grown in the subcontinent during the Vedic period.
- Coffee: It was introduced to India much later, reportedly by the Sufi saint Baba Budan in the 17th century, who brought seeds from Yemen (Arabia).
- Tea: While wild tea plants existed in parts of Northeast India, tea did not become a widely consumed beverage or a cultivated crop until the British colonial period.
- Statement 3 is Correct: The diffusion of new crops was intrinsically linked to the movement of people. Traders, travelers, and settlers who brought these seeds also carried new technologies (e.g., the Persian wheel), religious ideas, and cultural practices, facilitating a broader exchange of knowledge.
- Statement 4 is Correct: The introduction of these crops led to significant economic and cultural changes. Crops like chillies, potatoes, and tomatoes revolutionized Indian cuisine. Cash crops like tobacco and maize altered cropping patterns and agricultural economy in various regions.
Key Takeaway:
Crops such as potato, tomato, chilli, maize (corn), and tobacco were introduced to India in the post-15th century period (Mughal era) via European trade routes, distinct from ancient indigenous crops like rice, wheat, and sugarcane.