Who is the author of the famous autobiographical work "An Autobiography of an Unknown Indian", often simply referred to as "An Unknown Indian"?

Introduction / Context:
This question belongs to Indian English literature. "An Autobiography of an Unknown Indian" is a classic autobiographical work that reflects on colonial and postcolonial India, and you must identify its author.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The book title is "An Autobiography of an Unknown Indian".
• It is autobiographical, written by an Indian intellectual.
• Four authors are listed, including one Indian and three foreign writers.
• Only one matches this landmark work.

Concept / Approach:
Nirad C Chaudhuri wrote "An Autobiography of an Unknown Indian". The work combines personal narrative with commentary on society and culture. The other writers in the options, such as Tolstoy and Bernard Shaw, belong to Russian and British traditions and did not write this Indian autobiography.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Nirad C Chaudhuri is linked with the title "An Autobiography of an Unknown Indian". Step 2: Recognise that this book describes his life, experiences, and observations of British rule and independent India. Step 3: Compare the options and see that Leo Tolstoy and George Bernard Shaw are major European authors with their own different works. Step 4: Mala Sen is an author but is known for other books, not this autobiography. Step 5: Therefore, the correct answer is Nirad C Chaudhuri.

Verification / Alternative check:
Literary histories of Indian English writing consistently cite Nirad C Chaudhuri as the author of this book. The title is almost always mentioned in relation to his name, which confirms the pairing.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Leo Tolstoy: Russian novelist of "War and Peace" and "Anna Karenina".
George Bernard Shaw: Irish playwright with major works in drama, not this autobiography.
Mala Sen: Known for works like "India Food and Cooking", not this classic autobiography.

Common Pitfalls:
Sometimes students confuse this work with other autobiographies because of the general sounding title. To avoid this, remember that the phrase Unknown Indian is strongly associated with Nirad C Chaudhuri reflective and sometimes controversial writing.

Final Answer:
Nirad C Chaudhuri