India's ports play a crucial role in facilitating trade and commerce, connecting the country to the rest of the world. Understanding the key aspects of India's ports helps shed light on their significance and functioning.

Introduction:
India's ports have a rich historical background and have evolved over time to meet the changing needs of trade and transportation. Let's examine the given statements and determine their accuracy.

a) Sea faring began in India with the arrival of the European colonists.
This statement is incorrect. India has a long history of maritime trade and seafaring that predates the arrival of European colonists. The Indus Valley Civilization, dating back to around 2500 BCE, had well-established trade connections with regions as far as Mesopotamia. Furthermore, ancient ports like Lothal in Gujarat attested to the maritime activities of the Harappans. Indian sailors, known as navikas, were renowned for their seafaring skills and traveled to various parts of Southeast Asia and the Middle East for trade.

b) The central government is responsible for the functioning of both major and minor ports in India.
This statement is partially correct. The central government of India is responsible for the functioning and regulation of major ports, which are under the jurisdiction of the Central Port Authorities Act, 1963. Currently, there are 12 major ports in India, including Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and others. However, minor ports, which are under the jurisdiction of state governments, are not directly regulated by the central government. Each state government is responsible for the management and development of minor ports located within their respective regions.

c) India's east coast has more ports than its west coast.
This statement is incorrect. India's west coast has a higher concentration of ports compared to its east coast. The west coast is strategically located along the Arabian Sea and has several major ports such as Mumbai, Kandla, and Mormugao. These ports serve as crucial gateways for trade with the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. On the other hand, the east coast, although it has significant ports like Chennai, Visakhapatnam, and Kolkata, has a comparatively lower number of ports.

In conclusion, the correct answer is option 'D' - none of the above. While India's ports have a long history of seafaring, the central government primarily oversees major ports, and the west coast has more ports than the east coast.