Soaps are formed by saponification of?
$
  (a){\text{ alcohols}} \\
  (b){\text{ glycosides}} \\
  {\text{(c) simple esters}} \\
  {\text{(d) carboxylic acids}} \\
$

Hint – In this question think of the process of formation of soap from reaction of triglycerides in fat with aqueous NaOh or KOH. This process is termed as saponification and the reactants help in the process of formation of soaps.

Complete answer:

As we know that soaps are sodium or potassium salts of long chain fatty acids.
When triglycerides in fat/oil react with aqueous NaOH or KOH, they are converted into soap and glycerol.
This is called as alkaline hydrolysis of esters (${C_2}{H_5}COOC{H_3}$)
The chemical reaction is shown below,
${C_2}{H_5}COOC{H_3} + NaOH \to {C_2}{H_5}COONa\left( {{\text{soap}}} \right) + {C_2}{H_3}OH$
Since this reaction leads to the formation of soap, it is called the Saponification process.
So this is the required answer.
Hence option (C) is the correct answer.

Note – Saponification is the hydrolysis of fats or oils under basic conditions to afford glycerol and the salt of corresponding fatty acid. It is important to the industrial user to know the amount of free fatty acid present as this helps in determining the measure of refining loss.