In modern Indian religious history, who is popularly known by the epithet “Prophet of New India”?

Introduction / Context:
Nineteenth and early twentieth century India witnessed a series of religious and social reform movements led by influential figures who tried to reinterpret spiritual traditions in the light of modern challenges. Many of these leaders acquired descriptive titles that highlight their role in shaping modern India, such as Father of the Indian Renaissance or Prophet of New India. This question asks you to identify the leader who is especially remembered as the Prophet of New India, a title that underlines his role in inspiring a new national and spiritual awakening.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The phrase in focus is “Prophet of New India”. - Options include Dayanand Saraswati, Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda and Raja Ram Mohan Roy. - We assume familiarity with common honorific titles used for these reformers. - The task is to match the specific epithet with the correct person.

Concept / Approach:
Swami Vivekananda, a disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, is often described as the Prophet of New India because of his powerful speeches, modern interpretation of Vedanta and emphasis on national regeneration. His address at the Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago and his call to serve the poor and uplift the nation made him a symbol of the emerging modern Indian spirit. Raja Ram Mohan Roy is often called the Father of the Indian Renaissance, Dayanand Saraswati is closely associated with the Arya Samaj, and Sri Ramakrishna is revered as a saint and mystic but not usually with this specific title. Thus, the epithet Prophet of New India belongs to Swami Vivekananda.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the key words in the epithet: Prophet and New India, suggesting a forward looking spiritual leader who inspired national awakening. Step 2: Recall that Swami Vivekananda appealed to the youth, emphasised strength, service and spiritual modernity, and became a national icon after his Chicago speech. Step 3: Recognise that many biographical works and essays refer to him as a prophet who envisioned a new India based on fearlessness and spirituality. Step 4: Remember that Raja Ram Mohan Roy is very often described instead as the Father of the Indian Renaissance, with a slightly different emphasis. Step 5: Note that Dayanand Saraswati is mainly associated with the motto Back to the Vedas and with the Arya Samaj, not commonly labelled Prophet of New India. Step 6: Understand that Sri Ramakrishna is revered as a spiritual master but the specific title in the question points more clearly to his disciple Vivekananda. Step 7: Conclude that the correct answer is Swami Vivekananda.

Verification / Alternative check:
If you read school and college level history or value education books, you will often find the description that Raja Ram Mohan Roy initiated the modern age and that Swami Vivekananda, building on that, became the Prophet of New India. Quotations from national leaders such as Subhas Chandra Bose and others repeatedly praise Vivekananda as the maker of modern Indian consciousness. This consistent pattern of references helps to confirm that it is Vivekananda, rather than his guru or other reformers, who is associated with this epithet in mainstream exam oriented literature.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Dayanand Saraswati is wrong because, although a great reformer and founder of the Arya Samaj, he is not usually given the specific title Prophet of New India in standard textbooks.

Sri Ramakrishna is wrong because he is known more as the spiritual master who inspired Vivekananda; the reformist, outward looking prophetic role is associated more with his disciple.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy is wrong because he is generally called the Father of the Indian Renaissance, a different but related honorific title.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes mix up different honorific titles for reformers, especially when they all appear together in a single chapter. Another pitfall is to choose Raja Ram Mohan Roy for any phrase that mentions modern or new India without checking the exact wording. To avoid such mistakes, it is useful to memorise at least three key pairings: Raja Ram Mohan Roy with Indian Renaissance, Swami Vivekananda with Prophet of New India and Dayanand Saraswati with Arya Samaj and the slogan Back to the Vedas. This will make it easier to answer multiple questions in this area correctly.

Final Answer:
The epithet “Prophet of New India” is popularly applied to Swami Vivekananda.