The correct answer is: A) Zamindari estates
A zamindar is a hereditary landholder in India. Zamindari estates were large tracts of land that were owned by zamindars. The zamindars were responsible for collecting taxes from the peasants who lived on their land.
Kumbalam, Poonjar, and Edappally were all prominent zamindari estates in Kerala. Kumbalam was a zamindari estate in the Malabar region of Kerala. Poonjar was a zamindari estate in the Travancore region of Kerala. Edappally was a zamindari estate in the Cochin region of Kerala.
The other options are incorrect. Trading ports are places where goods are bought and sold. Hill stations are towns or cities that are located in mountainous areas. Temple towns are towns or cities that are home to important temples.
Kumbalam, Poonjar, and Edappally were not trading ports, hill stations, or temple towns. They were all prominent zamindari estates in Kerala.