To answer this question, we need to understand the terminology used by Mahatma Gandhi to refer to the people of lower castes.
Option A) Kshatriyas - This option is incorrect. Kshatriyas are not the people of lower castes. They are the second-highest caste in the traditional Hindu caste system, traditionally associated with warriors and rulers.
Option B) Dalits - This option is incorrect. While the term "Dalit" is commonly used to refer to the people of lower castes, it was not the term used by Gandhi to address them.
Option C) Harijans - This option is correct. Gandhi referred to the people of lower castes as "Harijans," which means "children of God." He used this term to express his belief that all individuals, regardless of their caste, are equal and deserve respect and dignity.
Option D) Untouchables - This option is incorrect. "Untouchables" is a term used to refer to the lowest caste in the traditional Hindu caste system, who were considered to be outside the four-fold varna system. While Gandhi worked to uplift and improve the conditions of the untouchables, he did not use this term to address them.
The correct answer is C) Harijans. This option is correct because Gandhi used this term to refer to the people of lower castes.