The Advent of the Europeans in India: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Modern History)
1 previous year UPSC Prelims question on The Advent of the Europeans in India (Modern History). Choose an option to see the answer and explanation.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
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UPSC 2025Modern History · The Advent of the Europeans in India
Q1. Consider the following fruits: 1. Papaya 2. Pineapple 3. Guava How many of the above were introduced in India by the Portuguese in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries?
Explanation
The Portuguese introduced several fruits and crops to India during the 16th and 17th centuries, and among them were: 1. Papaya -- Introduced by the Portuguese from the Americas (specifically from the Caribbean/Central America region). 2. Pineapple -- Also brought by the Portuguese from the Americas, where it is native. 3. Guava -- Native to tropical America, it too was introduced to India by the Portuguese. So, all three fruits -- Papaya, Pineapple, and Guava -- were introduced in India by the Portuguese during the colonial era.
Exam tip:
Think culturally and historically. Do these fruits figure prominently in ancient Indian texts or temples? No Vedic or classical references to papaya, pineapple, or guava. That’s a red flag -- they likely aren’t native. All three fruits grow in tropical climates. The Portuguese had colonies in South America, Africa, and coastal India. So, if a fruit looks tropical and isn’t ancient in India, it’s very likely brought by Portuguese from Brazil/Caribbean. Hence all 3 are likely correct.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2025
(c) All the three
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on The Advent of the Europeans in India?
This page covers 1 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on The Advent of the Europeans in India (Modern History), asked from 1996 to 2025. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
How should I use previous year UPSC questions for Prelims?
Attempt each question first, then open the answer and read the explanation for every option. Repeat by chapter, and track which statements UPSC reuses across years. Previous year questions show the exam pattern and difficulty level.
Which years are covered for The Advent of the Europeans in India?
Questions on The Advent of the Europeans in India (Modern History) are available for 6 years, from 1996 to 2025. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
