Who wrote the devotional epic "Ramacharitamanas" (Rama Charita Manas) describing the life of Lord Rama in Awadhi?

Introduction / Context:
"Ramacharitamanas" is one of the most revered devotional epics in North India. Written in the Awadhi language, it narrates the life and deeds of Lord Rama in a style accessible to common people. It is different from the original Sanskrit Ramayana. Knowing who authored "Ramacharitamanas" is a fundamental part of Indian cultural and religious general knowledge and is frequently tested in competitive exams.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• The question clearly mentions "Rama Charita Manas" or "Ramacharitamanas". • Four names of famous saints and poets are given as options. • You must choose the poet who actually composed this Awadhi epic. • It is assumed that you understand the difference between Valmiki's Sanskrit Ramayana and the Awadhi version.

Concept / Approach:
The key concept is that Goswami Tulsidas wrote "Ramacharitamanas" in Awadhi during the medieval period. Valmiki composed the original Ramayana in Sanskrit, while saints like Kabir contributed other devotional poetry but not this specific work. To answer correctly, you should connect Tulsidas with the popular North Indian retelling of Rama's story and Valmiki with the classical Sanskrit epic. Remembering this distinction is crucial for success in many cultural GK questions.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the text mentioned as "Ramacharitamanas", a well known devotional epic in Awadhi. Step 2: Recall that Tulsidas was a devotee of Lord Rama and wrote this epic to make Rama's life story accessible to the common people. Step 3: Compare this with Valmiki, who wrote the earlier Sanskrit Ramayana, not the Awadhi version named "Ramacharitamanas". Step 4: Note that Kabir and Ramdev are associated with other devotional compositions, not this epic. Step 5: Select Tulsidas as the correct author.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify by recalling temple recitations and religious gatherings in North India where "Ramacharitamanas" is read and referred to as the work of Goswami Tulsidas. General knowledge books consistently mention that Valmiki wrote the original Sanskrit Ramayana, while Tulsidas wrote the Awadhi retelling. This division between the two epics is widely taught in school level history and literature, which confirms that Tulsidas is the correct answer for this question.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Bhakta Kabir was a saint and poet known for his dohas that challenged ritualism but did not compose "Ramacharitamanas". Bhakta Ramdev is associated with folk traditions and not with this specific Awadhi epic. Valmiki wrote the original Sanskrit Ramayana, not the later devotional epic "Ramacharitamanas" in Awadhi.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse Valmiki and Tulsidas because both are linked with the story of Lord Rama. Another pitfall is not paying attention to the language and period of the text mentioned. To avoid such errors, remember the simple rule: Valmiki equals Sanskrit Ramayana, Tulsidas equals Awadhi Ramacharitamanas. Creating a short chart of major epics, their languages, and authors can be a very effective revision tool before exams.

Final Answer:
The devotional epic "Ramacharitamanas" in Awadhi was written by Tulsidas, so Tulsidas is the correct option.