Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Unhappy India
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question tests knowledge of Indian freedom movement literature and important political writings. Lala Lajpat Rai, known as one of the Lal Bal Pal trio, was not only a leader but also an author who wrote influential books criticising colonial rule. The task is to identify which title among the options belongs to him.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
Lala Lajpat Rai wrote "Unhappy India", which presented a strong critique of British policies and responded to negative portrayals of Indian society. "Hind Swaraj" is by Mahatma Gandhi, "India Divided" is by Rajendra Prasad, and "Mother India" is by Katherine Mayo. So, recognising the correct matching between author and book makes it easy to choose the right answer.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that "Unhappy India" is frequently mentioned as a work authored by Lala Lajpat Rai.
Step 2: Remember that he wrote it partly in response to the book "Mother India", which criticised Indian society.
Step 3: Analyse the other options. "Hind Swaraj" outlines Gandhi ideas on self rule, and "India Divided" is associated with Rajendra Prasad views on partition.
Step 4: "Mother India" is a controversial work by Katherine Mayo, not by an Indian nationalist leader.
Step 5: Since only "Unhappy India" correctly matches Lala Lajpat Rai, select option C.
Verification / Alternative check:
History books and exam guides on Indian national movement literature clearly list "Unhappy India" under Lala Lajpat Rai authorship. They also consistently pair "Hind Swaraj" with Gandhi and "Mother India" with Katherine Mayo. This cross referencing confirms the proper matching and validates our answer.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
"India Divided" was written by Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India. "Hind Swaraj" is one of Gandhi key political texts. "Mother India" is by an American author, Katherine Mayo, whose critical views were widely opposed by Indian leaders. None of these can therefore be attributed to Lala Lajpat Rai, and selecting them would mix up distinct historical sources.
Common Pitfalls:
Because all four titles sound similar and deal with India, students sometimes confuse which nationalist wrote which book. To reduce confusion, it helps to pair them mentally: Gandhi with "Hind Swaraj", Rajendra Prasad with "India Divided", Katherine Mayo with "Mother India" and Lala Lajpat Rai with "Unhappy India". Visualising a small matching table can make these examinations easier and more reliable.
Final Answer:
Unhappy India
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