Q. Who among the following is associated with 'Songs from Prison', a translation of ancient Indian religious lyrics in English? (UPSC Prelims 2021)
Answer: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
Notes: The correct answer is [C] Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. This question identifies a specific literary contribution made by Mahatma Gandhi during his periods of incarceration.

• Songs from Prison: This is a collection of translations of ancient Indian religious lyrics (including selections from the Upanishads and various Bhakti saints) into English. Gandhi undertook this work in 1930 while he was imprisoned in Yerwada Jail, Pune, following the Salt Satyagraha. He was assisted by John S. Hoyland in the metrical arrangement of these translations.
• Bal Gangadhar Tilak (Option A): While Tilak wrote his famous scholarly work Gita Rahasya in Mandalay Prison, it is a commentary on the Bhagavad Gita focusing on Karma Yoga, not a collection of translated lyrics.
• Jawaharlal Nehru (Option B): Nehru wrote extensively in prison, most notably The Discovery of India and Glimpses of World History, but he is not associated with this specific translation of religious lyrics.
• Sarojini Naidu (Option D): Known as the "Nightingale of India," she was an accomplished poet who wrote original English poetry (e.g., The Golden Threshold), but she did not author this translation.

Historically, Gandhi’s time in prison was often spent in deep spiritual study and translation, aiming to bridge the gap between Indian philosophical thought and the English-speaking world.