Among the following, which crop is a major Kharif crop of India, typically sown with the onset of the south west monsoon?

Introduction / Context:
Indian agriculture recognises two main cropping seasons: Kharif and Rabi. Kharif crops are sown with the onset of the south west monsoon and harvested in autumn, whereas Rabi crops are sown in winter and harvested in spring. Understanding which crops belong to which season is a frequent topic in geography and general knowledge exams.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• Four crops are listed: red chilli, watermelon, pumpkin and wheat. • The question asks which is a major Kharif crop of India. • We assume the conventional Kharif and Rabi categorisation used in textbooks.

Concept / Approach:
Red chilli is widely grown as a major Kharif crop in many parts of India, especially in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Maharashtra. It is sown with the monsoon rains and harvested after the rainy season. Watermelon and pumpkin can be grown in multiple seasons and are often associated with the summer or zaid season. Wheat is the classic Rabi crop, sown in winter and harvested in the spring, and therefore cannot be a Kharif crop.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify wheat as a well known Rabi crop that requires cool temperatures and is planted after the Kharif harvest, so it cannot be the correct answer. Step 2: Consider watermelon and pumpkin, which are often grown as zaid or off season crops and do not represent a major national level Kharif staple. Step 3: Recall that red chilli is repeatedly listed in agricultural tables as an important Kharif cash crop grown on a large scale in monsoon season across different states. Step 4: Select red chilli as the major Kharif crop among the options given.

Verification / Alternative check:
Agricultural calendars for India show chilli, cotton, paddy and other crops as typical Kharif crops sown with the south west monsoon. Wheat appears in the Rabi list, and watermelon and pumpkin are usually marked for summer or varied sowing windows rather than as central Kharif crops nationwide.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B (Watermelon) is commonly grown as a zaid crop in the hot summer months, rather than as a primary Kharif crop throughout the country. Option C (Pumpkin) can be grown in different seasons and is not specifically highlighted as a major Kharif crop in national agricultural statistics. Option D (Wheat) is the principal Rabi crop in the north and central India and is sown in winter after the Kharif harvest, so it does not fit the Kharif definition.

Common Pitfalls:
• Learners sometimes assume that any crop grown during warm months is Kharif, ignoring the more precise seasonal classification. • Others may focus on food crops like watermelon or pumpkin and overlook cash crops such as chilli, even though chilli is a very important Kharif crop in practice.

Final Answer:
Among the given options, the major Kharif crop of India is red chilli.