In Indian sports history, who is widely recognised as the first Indian woman athlete to participate in the Olympic Games?

Introduction / Context:

Questions on first achievements in Indian sports are very common in general knowledge exams. These include first medals, first world records, and first appearances in major events such as the Olympic Games. This question focuses on the first Indian woman who actually took part in Olympic competition, an important milestone for the participation of women from India in international athletics.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The event is the Olympic Games.
• The focus is on Indian women participants.
• We must identify who was the first Indian woman to compete, not the first to win a medal.
• Options include four well known Indian women athletes and sportspersons.

Concept / Approach:

To answer correctly, distinguish between first participation and later high profile medal success. Nilima Ghose was one of the earliest Indian women to participate in the Olympics, appearing at the Helsinki Games in the early nineteen fifties. P T Usha, Karnam Malleswari, and Mary Kom are legendary sports figures, but they came later and are remembered for near medal or medal performances, not for being the first woman entrant.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Many sports general knowledge references mention that Nilima Ghose and Mary D Souza were among the first Indian women to compete at the Olympics, with Nilima Ghose often listed as the first because her event took place earlier in the competition schedule. This supports choosing her name when a single first is required.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

P T Usha is a legendary runner but started Olympic participation decades after Nilima Ghose.

Karnam Malleswari is the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal, not the first to participate.

Mary Kom is famous for boxing world championships and later Olympic participation, again much later in time.

Common Pitfalls:

Candidates sometimes confuse first participation with first medal and pick Karnam Malleswari. Others may choose P T Usha due to her fame in school textbooks. It is important to remember that Nilima Ghose broke the initial barrier for Indian women at the Olympics.

Final Answer:

The first Indian woman to participate in the Olympic Games was Nilima Ghose.