In modern Indian history, who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi in New Delhi on 30 January 1948?

Introduction / Context:
Mahatma Gandhi is remembered as one of the most important leaders of the Indian freedom struggle and a global symbol of non violence. Competitive examinations frequently ask about the person who assassinated Gandhi, because it connects modern Indian history, post independence politics, and the study of communal tensions in the country. Knowing the correct name of the assassin, the time, and the basic background helps students place this tragic event accurately within the larger timeline of Indian history.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated in New Delhi on 30 January 1948.
• The question asks specifically who assassinated him.
• Options list several names, some related to Indian politics and some unrelated.
• Only one option must be factually correct.

Concept / Approach:
This is a direct recall question from modern Indian history. The approach is to remember that Gandhi was shot by a Hindu extremist who opposed his views on Hindu Muslim harmony and the partition settlement. Textbooks of modern India, biographies of Gandhi, and standard GK books clearly mention the name of the assassin. By matching this remembered fact with the given list of options, we can identify the correct answer with confidence.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Gandhi was assassinated on 30 January 1948 at Birla House in New Delhi while he was going to attend a prayer meeting. Step 2: Remember from historical accounts that a Hindu extremist, Nathuram Vinayak Godse, fired the shots that killed Gandhi. Step 3: Look at the options and locate the name Nathuram Godse among the alternatives. Step 4: Confirm that none of the other names is associated in standard history books with the actual act of assassination. Step 5: Conclude that Nathuram Godse is the only historically correct choice and therefore must be marked as the answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
An alternative way to verify is to consult any NCERT level modern history textbook or a reliable reference on Gandhi. All such sources consistently identify Nathuram Godse as the assassin. Many exam oriented guidebooks also have a short entry on Gandhi that includes his birth, major movements, and details of his assassination. Cross checking multiple sources in this way removes any doubt and confirms that no other person in the options carried out the shooting.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
James Russell is not connected with Gandhi and does not appear in Indian freedom struggle narratives, so this option is incorrect. Sucha Singh Bassi and Kunder Mehta are not recorded in standard accounts as being responsible for Gandhi's death and therefore are also wrong. Gopal Godse was Nathuram Godse's brother and a co conspirator, but he was not the person who actually fired the shots, so this option is also incorrect for this specific question that asks who assassinated Gandhi.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to confuse the main assassin with co conspirators or with leaders who might have been blamed or debated politically. Another error is to mix up the assassination of Gandhi with that of other leaders such as Indira Gandhi or Rajiv Gandhi, each of whom has a different assassin and context. Students should carefully note the full name Nathuram Godse and not simply remember the surname, because several family members were part of the conspiracy. Reading questions too quickly and assuming any unfamiliar name is correct can also lead to errors.

Final Answer:
The correct answer is Nathuram Godse.