Which of the following books is most closely associated with Gandhian thought and philosophy?

Introduction / Context:

This question focuses on Gandhian thought and the key texts that express Mahatma Gandhi's ideas. General knowledge exams often ask which book best reflects Gandhi's political and social philosophy. Recognising the correct work helps you connect freedom struggle history with the core ideas of non violence, self rule, and moral politics.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Four important books on modern Indian history and politics are listed.

• Only one is primarily written by Mahatma Gandhi and directly sets out his philosophy.

• "India Wins Freedom" is connected with Abul Kalam Azad.

• "India Divided" relates to Rajendra Prasad and "The Discovery of India" relates to Jawaharlal Nehru.

Concept / Approach:

The key concept is to link each title with its correct author and underlying theme. "Hind Swaraj", written by Gandhi in the early twentieth century, is the most direct expression of his political philosophy. By mapping each book to its known author, we can identify which work conveys Gandhian thought and avoid confusing it with other freedom movement writings.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

You can verify by checking reliable references on Gandhi's writings. "Hind Swaraj" is consistently described as his key political text in which he criticises modern industrial civilisation and argues for moral self rule. Lists of autobiographies and memoirs of other leaders clearly show that the remaining titles belong to authors other than Gandhi. This cross mapping of titles and authors confirms that only "Hind Swaraj" fits the description in the question.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

"India Wins Freedom" is the autobiography of Abul Kalam Azad and, while it covers the freedom struggle, it is not the primary source of Gandhian philosophy.

"India Divided" is a work by Rajendra Prasad discussing partition and constitutional issues, not a core expression of Gandhi's ideas.

"The Discovery of India" is Nehru's reflective work on Indian civilisation and history, not specifically a text of Gandhian philosophy.

Common Pitfalls:

A frequent mistake is to pick any book with the word "India" in the title, assuming it must reflect Gandhian thought. Another pitfall is confusion between leaders and their writings, especially when many freedom fighters wrote important books. Careful revision of authorship and themes prevents these errors.

Final Answer:

The book most closely associated with Gandhian thought and philosophy is "Hind Swaraj".