Which national leader is widely credited with giving Sarojini Naidu the popular title “Nightingale of India”?

Introduction / Context:
Sarojini Naidu was a prominent Indian poet and freedom fighter whose lyrical poetry earned her the affectionate title “Nightingale of India.” Exam questions often ask which leader gave her this famous title, because it connects literary contributions with the national movement and highlights how leaders viewed each other. Knowing this detail helps students remember how cultural and political roles were intertwined in the freedom struggle.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question focuses on Sarojini Naidu and her popular title “Nightingale of India.”
• It asks which national leader is widely credited with giving her this title.
• Options list several major leaders from the freedom movement.
• Only one of them is commonly associated with coining or popularising this title.

Concept / Approach:
The approach is to recall standard associations made in history and general knowledge books. Mahatma Gandhi is widely credited with referring to Sarojini Naidu as the Nightingale of India, appreciating both her oratory and her poetry. Though other leaders also admired her, exam oriented literature consistently links this particular title with Gandhi. Recognising this typical pairing enables a quick and confident answer.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Sarojini Naidu was both a poet and a political activist, participating in key movements led by Gandhi. Step 2: Remember that Gandhi often gave affectionate nicknames to fellow leaders and admirers, such as Nightingale of India for Naidu. Step 3: Look at the options and identify Mahatma Gandhi among the listed leaders. Step 4: Confirm that popular exam guides and biographies attribute the title to Gandhi rather than to other leaders. Step 5: Select Mahatma Gandhi as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Verification can be done through short biographies of Sarojini Naidu and compilations of freedom struggle personalities. Most such sources explicitly state that Gandhi called her the Nightingale of India, emphasising her melodious voice and poetic talent. While some discussions may mention that the title was widely used and popularised, exam conventions treat Gandhi as the leader who gave or at least firmly established the nickname. This makes him the expected answer in competitive exams.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Jawaharlal Nehru greatly respected Sarojini Naidu but is not commonly credited with coining this title. Rabindranath Tagore was a Nobel winning poet but did not give this particular nickname to Naidu. Rajendra Prasad was the first President of India but is not associated with this phrase. Annie Besant was an important freedom movement leader and theosophist, yet there is no standard reference linking her to this specific title. Therefore, these alternatives do not match the widely accepted attribution.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes assume that because Tagore was also a famous poet, he must have given the title to Sarojini Naidu. Others may randomly guess among the famous names listed, without recalling the specific association. To avoid such mistakes, learners should memorise a list of famous titles and epithets, such as Nightingale of India, Frontier Gandhi, and Iron Man of India, along with the correct personalities and, where relevant, who gave them these titles.

Final Answer:
The correct answer is Mahatma Gandhi.