The correct option is Baba Budan Hills.
Explanation
Coffee is a significant plantation crop in India, with its origins deeply rooted in the historical trade connections between India and the Arabian Peninsula. The cultivation of coffee in India predates the establishment of British commercial plantations.
Historical Analysis:
- The cultivation of coffee in India was initially introduced in the Baba Budan Hills (originally known as Chandragiri Hills) in the Chikkamagaluru district of Karnataka.
- According to historical accounts, a Sufi saint named Baba Budan brought seven coffee beans from Yemen to India in the 17th century and planted them in these hills.
- This event marked the beginning of coffee culture in India. Commercial plantations were later expanded by the British in the 19th century to other regions such as Wayanad (Kerala), the Shevaroys, and the Nilgiris.
Analysis of Other Options:
- Nilgiri Hills: While currently a major region for coffee and tea cultivation, plantations here were established much later during the British colonial period.
- Darjeeling Hills: This region is globally renowned for tea cultivation, which began in the mid-19th century, not for the initial introduction of coffee.
- Cardamom Hills: Located in the Western Ghats, these hills are primarily associated with the cultivation of spices like cardamom and pepper.
Key Takeaway: The initial introduction of coffee in India occurred in the Baba Budan Hills of Karnataka, attributed to the Sufi saint Baba Budan in the 17th century.