Cultivation of pearls was undertaken first by

Options

A. Japanese in 17th century
B. Japanese towards the end of 19th century
C. Britishers in 18th century
D. Americans in the beginning of twentieth century.

Answer

To answer the question "Cultivation of pearls was undertaken first by," we need to analyze the options provided and identify the correct historical context regarding pearl cultivation.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Pearl Cultivation**: Pearl cultivation refers to the process of farming oysters to produce pearls. This practice involves inserting a nucleus into the oyster to stimulate pearl formation.

2. **Identifying Historical Figures**: The key figure associated with the first successful cultivation of pearls is Mikimoto Kokichi, a Japanese entrepreneur. He is often referred to as the "father of pearl cultivation."

3. **Analyzing the Options**:
- **Japanese in 17th century**: This option is incorrect because Mikimoto Kokichi was not born until the late 19th century.
- **Japanese towards the end of 19th century**: This is the correct option, as Mikimoto Kokichi began his work in pearl cultivation around this time.
- **Britishers in 18th century**: This option is incorrect; there is no significant record of British involvement in pearl cultivation during this time.
- **Americans in the beginning of 20th century**: This option is also incorrect, as the first successful cultivation was already established by Mikimoto in Japan before this period.

4. **Conclusion**: Based on the analysis, the correct answer is that pearl cultivation was first undertaken by the Japanese towards the end of the 19th century.

### Final Answer:
The correct answer is: **Japanese towards the end of 19th century**.

---