Which country was the first in the world to establish an institution similar to a Lokpal or ombudsman, creating an office to investigate complaints against public officials?

Introduction / Context:
The idea of a Lokpal in India is inspired by the concept of an ombudsman, a public official who investigates complaints against government agencies and officials. The ombudsman institution was first established in a European country that is often cited as a pioneer in this field. This question tests knowledge of the origin of the institution, which helps students understand comparative governance and the roots of anti corruption mechanisms.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The question refers to a country that first appointed an ombudsman or equivalent to a Lokpal. - Options are Brazil, Burma, Sweden and India. - We are concerned with the earliest establishment of this type of institution. - The concept is meant to address grievances against public authorities.

Concept / Approach:
The ombudsman system originated in Sweden, where the office was created to supervise public administration and protect citizen rights. The Swedish Parliament introduced this role long before other countries adopted similar models. Brazil, Burma and India implemented ombudsman like institutions much later. In India, the Lokpal Act was passed only in the twenty first century, while the idea had been discussed for decades. Therefore, to find the first country to introduce such an institution, we look to Sweden.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the term ombudsman is of Swedish origin and is closely linked with that country system of governance. Step 2: Understand that Sweden established a parliamentary ombudsman to monitor the activities of public authorities and safeguard citizens rights. Step 3: Recognise that Brazil and Burma adopted similar institutions later, as did India through the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act. Step 4: Note that the question asks specifically for the first country, which points to the original adopter of the ombudsman concept. Step 5: Therefore, Sweden is the correct answer among the given options.

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard political science and public administration references trace the history of the ombudsman to Sweden, where the office emerged as part of efforts to ensure accountability in public administration. Many exam guides state that Sweden is the first country to appoint an ombudsman and highlight it as a model for the Lokpal in India. In contrast, Brazil is often cited for the institution of the Public Prosecutor, and India implemented Lokpal much later. These consistent references confirm Sweden as the correct choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Brazil: Although Brazil has strong institutions to monitor public officials, it did not originate the ombudsman concept and came much later than Sweden, so this option is incorrect.
Burma: Burma does not hold the distinction of being the first country to create an ombudsman like institution; it followed later developments and therefore is not the right answer.
India: India debated the Lokpal idea for many years and passed the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act only recently compared to Sweden experiment, so it is not the first country to introduce such an office.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners may be tempted to choose India because the question includes the familiar term Lokpal and because India is prominent in discussions about anti corruption institutions. Others may pick Brazil based on a general sense that it has strong public prosecution systems. A further mistake is to assume that relatively new democracies adopted these mechanisms first. To avoid these problems, students should remember the historical fact that Sweden pioneered the ombudsman institution, which later inspired similar bodies like the Lokpal in other countries including India.

Final Answer:
The first country to establish an institution similar to a Lokpal or ombudsman was Sweden.