Mahatma Title Origin Explained

The question asks to identify the person who bestowed the title "Mahatma" upon Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who is famously known as Mahatma Gandhi.

Historical Context of the Title

The honorific title "Mahatma", which means "Great Soul" in Sanskrit, is widely attributed to have been given to Gandhi by the renowned Indian poet and philosopher, Rabindra Nath Tagore. This title was conferred upon Gandhi in recognition of his profound spiritual and political leadership during India's struggle for independence.

It is believed that Tagore used this title when referring to Gandhi, possibly around the time of Gandhi's visit to Santiniketan in 1915, or shortly thereafter, signifying his immense respect for Gandhi's persona and work.

Analyzing the Options

Let's examine the provided options:

• Subash Chandra Bose: A prominent leader in the Indian independence movement, but not credited with giving the title "Mahatma".
• G K Gokhale: Gopal Krishna Gokhale was a respected mentor figure to Gandhi, but he did not bestow the title "Mahatma".
• Rabindra Nath Tagore: The widely accepted source of the title "Mahatma" for Gandhi.
• Jawahar Lal Nehru: India's first Prime Minister, a key figure in the independence movement, but not the originator of the title.
• Bal Gangadhar Tilak: A significant leader of the Indian independence movement, known for his assertive nationalism, but not associated with giving Gandhi the title "Mahatma".

Therefore, based on historical accounts, Rabindra Nath Tagore is credited with giving Mahatma Gandhi the title "Mahatma".