In the context of Indian agriculture, the impact of the Green Revolution was felt most strongly in the production of which crop?

Introduction / Context:
This question examines knowledge of the Green Revolution in India, a major agricultural transformation that took place mainly during the late 1960s and 1970s. High yielding varieties, chemical fertilisers, improved irrigation and modern agronomic techniques led to dramatic increases in the output of certain crops. Examinations often ask which particular crop benefited the most from the Green Revolution, because the answer highlights both the strengths and limitations of that period of agricultural change.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question specifically focuses on the impact of the Green Revolution in India.
• We are asked which crop experienced the strongest positive impact.
• Options include wheat, rice, pulses and oil seeds.
• The time period is the first phase of the Green Revolution, when new seed varieties were introduced.

Concept / Approach:
The Green Revolution in India is closely associated with the introduction of high yielding varieties of wheat and, to a lesser extent, rice. The most dramatic and immediate gains in production occurred in wheat, especially in states such as Punjab, Haryana and parts of western Uttar Pradesh. Pulses and oil seeds did not initially benefit as much, and their productivity growth remained relatively slow. Therefore, the approach is to recall which crop had the largest increase in yield and production during the early Green Revolution period, which is wheat.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the Green Revolution introduced high yielding varieties of seeds along with fertilisers and irrigation. Step 2: Think about the regions where the Green Revolution first took off, such as Punjab and Haryana. Step 3: Recall which crop is commonly associated with these regions and the initial success stories. The famous images and statistics of bumper harvests were mainly for wheat. Step 4: Notice that while rice also saw gains, especially later and in certain areas, the earliest and most significant impact was seen in wheat production. Step 5: Recognise that pulses and oil seeds did not experience comparable yield jumps during the early Green Revolution. Step 6: Therefore, select wheat as the correct option.

Verification / Alternative check:
A quick way to verify is to recall common textbook statements that describe the Green Revolution as wheat centred. Many statistical charts show a sharp upward curve for wheat production beginning in the late 1960s. Rice productivity improved more gradually and unevenly across regions, and pulses often continued to lag. If the question mentions impact felt most, the safest answer is wheat. This matches historical evidence and standard summaries in Indian economic and agricultural history.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Rice: Although rice production did improve with newer varieties and irrigation, the earliest and most dramatic impact of the Green Revolution was in wheat, not rice.
Pulses: Pulses faced several agronomic challenges and were not the primary beneficiaries of the Green Revolution technologies in the initial decades.
Oil seeds: Oil seed crops saw significant initiatives later under separate programmes, but they were not the focus or major success story of the first Green Revolution phase.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes overgeneralise and assume that the Green Revolution equally transformed all crops. Another mistake is to choose rice because it is a staple food for many regions of India. However, exam questions on this topic usually expect recall that wheat was at the centre of the initial Green Revolution gains. Keeping a clear mental note that the first wave of the Green Revolution was wheat dominated helps avoid these errors, while later efforts attempted to spread benefits to other crops.

Final Answer:
The impact of the Green Revolution in India was felt most strongly in the case of wheat production.