RAS question
Bhagat Singh wrote 'Why I Am an Atheist' in:
Correct answer: (D) Lahore Jail (1930-31).
Bhagat Singh wrote 'Why I Am an Atheist' in 1930 in Lahore Central Jail, making Lahore Jail the correct location.
Explanation
Bhagat Singh wrote 'Why I Am an Atheist' in 1930 while he was in Lahore Jail during the Lahore Conspiracy Case trial. The LBSNAA catalogue record for Why I am an atheist and other works describes the essay as one written by Bhagat Singh in 1930 in Lahore Central Jail. The point of the essay also matters for the MCQ: it was not a casual prison note, but a reply to criticism of his atheism, especially from religious friends who thought his atheism came from vanity. Bhagat Singh was a widely read revolutionary influenced by Marx, Lenin, Trotsky and Bakunin.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Yerawada Jail is wrong because the LBSNAA catalogue places the essay in Lahore Central Jail, not Yerawada.
- (B) Andaman Jail is wrong because Bhagat Singh was not in Andaman when the essay was written.
- (C) Sabarmati Jail is wrong because the essay is connected to Lahore Central Jail, not Sabarmati.
Concept
This tests Modern Indian History through revolutionary nationalism and prison writings. RAS often asks such questions because texts like 'Why I Am an Atheist' link personalities, ideological influences and specific colonial-era trials.