Which singer, popularly known as the Ghazal Queen of India, was awarded the Padma Bhushan posthumously in 1975?

Introduction / Context:
India has a rich tradition of ghazal singing and several legendary artists have shaped this genre. Among them, one vocalist is especially remembered as the Ghazal Queen of India and received the Padma Bhushan, one of the country's highest civilian awards, posthumously in 1975. This question checks familiarity with Indian classical and semi classical music history.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The title Ghazal Queen of India refers to a specific legendary singer.
• The singer received the Padma Bhushan after her death in 1975.
• The options list famous subcontinental vocalists, but only one fits both the nickname and award details.

Concept / Approach:
The correct approach is to recall which artist is traditionally called Mallika-e-Ghazal or Ghazal Queen and then link that memory with the year and award. Begum Akhtar, whose original name was Akhtari Bai Faizabadi, is celebrated for her soulful ghazals, dadras and thumris. She was honoured with the Padma Shri during her lifetime and the Padma Bhushan posthumously in 1975.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the artist popularly known as Ghazal Queen of India; this points to Begum Akhtar.Step 2: Recall that she passed away in the mid nineteen seventies and was later given the Padma Bhushan.Step 3: Compare this information with the given options Noor Jahan, Begum Akhtar, Lata Mangeshkar and Farida Khanum.Step 4: Select Begum Akhtar as the only option that fully matches the title and award year.

Verification / Alternative check:
Noor Jahan and Farida Khanum are celebrated Pakistani singers and are not referred to as Indian Ghazal Queens in official Indian honours lists. Lata Mangeshkar is called the Nightingale of India and is associated more with film and devotional music. These cross checks reinforce that the question is about Begum Akhtar.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Noor Jahan was a great film and ghazal singer but received her major recognition in Pakistan rather than a Padma Bhushan from India in 1975. Lata Mangeshkar does hold the Bharat Ratna and other honours, but not under the title Ghazal Queen, and her main area is film playback. Farida Khanum is known as a ghazal legend in Pakistan but again does not fit the Indian award context. Therefore these options are distractors.

Common Pitfalls:
Examinees sometimes mix up titles like Nightingale of India, Melody Queen and Ghazal Queen, especially when they know several names but not the exact epithets. Another mistake is to answer based purely on popularity, which would push them toward Lata Mangeshkar even though the description is different. A focused list of epithets and awards associated with major artists helps avoid these confusions.

Final Answer:
The correct answer is Begum Akhtar.