Chapter 22 · Topic 22.2 · Prelims + Mains2 of 2
Geographical Discoveries: Impact
Key points
- Impact, including crops in India.
Prelims box: facts and traps
- The ‘Columbian Exchange’ moved crops, animals and diseases between the Old and New Worlds.
- For India, the Portuguese brought New World crops.
Impact
Trade moved from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic, enriching Portugal, Spain and later the Dutch, English and French. Colonial empires and the Atlantic slave trade began, and native American populations collapsed from conquest and disease. The ‘Columbian Exchange’ moved crops, animals and diseases between the Old and New Worlds.
For India, the Portuguese brought New World crops. UPSC asked how many of papaya, pineapple and guava were introduced in India by the Portuguese in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries: all three. Chillies, potato, tobacco, maize, cashew and groundnut also came via this exchange.
Consider the following fruits : I. Papaya II. Pineapple III. Guava How many of the above were introduced in India by the Portuguese in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries?
- Only one
- Only two
- All the three
- None
Show answer
Answer: (c) · UPSC official key
Mains box: analysis and answer points
- Trade moved from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic, enriching Portugal, Spain and later the Dutch, English and French.
- Colonial empires and the Atlantic slave trade began, and native American populations collapsed from conquest and disease.
- UPSC asked how many of papaya, pineapple and guava were introduced in India by the Portuguese in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries: all three.
- Likely next angle: Shift to Atlantic trade
Practice
Write an answer
In 150 words, explain the significance of Geographical Discoveries with one recent example.
Flashcards (3)
Papaya, pineapple, guava?
All brought by the Portuguese.
Columbian Exchange?
Crops, animals, diseases across the Atlantic.
Trade shifted to?
The Atlantic.
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