Sentence Correction

For almost a hundred years after having its beginning in 1788, England exiled some 160,000 criminals to Australia.
(A) For almost a hundred years after having its beginning in 1788
(B) Beginning in 1788 for a period of a hundred years
(C) Beginning a period of almost a hundred years, in 1788
(D) During a hundred years, a period beginning in 1788
(E) Over a period of a hundred years beginning in 1788

In A, B and C, 'beginning' implies that England started in 1788. Not intended meaning. Eliminate A, B & C

But why D is wrong?

Mo2men wrote:
But why D is wrong?

Please do post the question source.

Mo2men wrote:For almost a hundred years after having its beginning in 1788, England exiled some 160,000 criminals to Australia.
(A) For almost a hundred years after having its beginning in 1788
(B) Beginning in 1788 for a period of a hundred years
(C) Beginning a period of almost a hundred years, in 1788
(D) During a hundred years, a period beginning in 1788
(E) Over a period of a hundred years beginning in 1788

An introductory VERBing modifier must serve to modify the FOLLOWING SUBJECT.

In A, having seems to modify England -- the following subject -- implying that ENGLAND was HAVING its beginning in 1788.
The intended meaning is that the EXILE OF PRISONERS began in 1788.
Eliminate A.

In B and C, beginning seems to modify England -- the following subject -- implying that ENGLAND was BEGINNING.
The intended meaning is that the EXILE OF PRISONERS began in 1788.
Eliminate B and C.

during must serve to refer to a period of time or an event that has a DEFINITE BEGINNING AND END.
D: During a hundred years, a period beginning in 1788, England exiled.
Here, the blue portion is enclosed in commas, implying that this portion is NON-ESSENTIAL.
If we remove this non-essential modifier, we get:
During a hundred years, England exiled.
The time period in red does NOT have a definite beginning and end.
Eliminate D.

The correct answer is E.

An OA with during:
Between 1990 and 2000 the global economy grew more than it did during the 10,000 years from the beginning of agriculture to 1950.
Here, the time period in blue has a definite beginning and end.