The correct answer is option 1: The people. In a democratic system like India, the ultimate power lies with the people. The citizens of India exercise their political power through the process of elections where they vote for their representatives. These elected representatives then form the government at various levels - central, state, and local. The government is responsible for making important decisions and implementing policies on behalf of the people. The power of the people is also evident in the Constitution of India, which is a document that outlines the fundamental rights and principles of governance. It is created and adopted by the people and serves as a guiding framework for the functioning of the government. Therefore, the people are the chief source of political power in India.