Which of the following was the literary pen name used by Rabindranath Tagore in some of his early Bengali poems?

Introduction / Context:
Rabindranath Tagore is one of India's greatest literary figures, and questions about his life, titles, and pen names are very popular in competitive exams. This item specifically tests whether you know the exact literary pen name he used, and can distinguish it from the honorific titles by which he is affectionately remembered.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question asks for the pen name of Rabindranath Tagore.
• Options include “Bhanu Simha”, “Gurudev”, “Kabiguru”, and “All of the above”.
• We must identify which one was a true literary pseudonym he actually used while writing.
• We assume standard biographical facts about Tagore as taught in school-level GK.

Concept / Approach:
A pen name (or pseudonym) is a fictitious name that a writer uses instead of their real name while publishing literary works. Honorifics or titles of respect, on the other hand, are labels that admirers and readers give in recognition of someone's greatness. Tagore was given many respectful titles, but his early literary pen name is a specific phrase you must memorise: “Bhanu Singha” or “Bhanu Simha”.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that young Rabindranath Tagore wrote some of his early Bengali poems under a pseudonym. Step 2: That pen name was “Bhanu Singha Thakur”, often written as “Bhanu Simha”. Step 3: Check the options: only option A, “Bhanu Simha”, matches the historically documented pen name. Step 4: Recognise that “Gurudev” and “Kabiguru” are reverential titles, not pseudonyms he chose for publication. Step 5: Therefore, “All of the above” cannot be correct, because not all listed names are genuine pen names.

Verification / Alternative check:
Biographical notes on Tagore consistently mention that he first gained attention as a poet using the pseudonym “Bhanu Singha”. School and college textbooks on Indian literature or Bengali literature also highlight this fact. The same sources describe “Gurudev” (“revered teacher”) and “Kabiguru” (“poet-teacher” or “poet master”) as titles given to him by admirers, further confirming the distinction between pen name and honorific titles.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Gurudev: This is a respectful title used by followers and contemporaries to honour Tagore, but he did not originally publish poems under “Gurudev” as a pseudonym. Kabiguru: Another affectionate epithet that means “teacher among poets”; again, it is not a formal pen name used for authorship. All of the above: Since only “Bhanu Simha” qualifies as a real pen name, a combined option claiming all are pen names is factually incorrect.

Common Pitfalls:
Many learners confuse “pen name” with “title” or “nickname”. When you see options like “All of the above”, it may feel tempting, but always ask whether every item fits the strict definition. Another common error is to assume that any famous tag associated with a writer must be a pseudonym. To avoid this, revise the precise phrasing: a pen name is what the author consciously used instead of their real name while publishing, especially in their early career.

Final Answer:
The literary pen name used by Rabindranath Tagore in some of his early poems was Bhanu Simha.