The first woman to receive the Jnanpith Award, one of the highest literary honors in India, was Ashapurna Devi. She was honored with the award in 1976 for her exceptional contributions to Bengali literature. Ashapurna Devi (1909–1995) was a prolific writer and social reformer, known for her novels, short stories, and poems that portrayed the socio-cultural dynamics of Bengal. Her literary works often focused on the lives of women, highlighting their struggles, aspirations, and societal roles.

Amrita Pritam, another renowned Indian writer mentioned in the options, also received the Jnanpith Award in 1982. However, in the context of the question, the correct answer is (d) Ashapurna Devi, as she was the first woman to be honored with the Jnanpith Award.