Q1. According to the 2011 Census, which of the following closely represents the percentage of the Scheduled Tribe (ST) population in the total population of Rajasthan?
Tribes of Rajasthan: RAS Prelims MCQs
12 RAS Prelims MCQs on the tribes of Rajasthan cover their share of the population, regions, fairs and social institutions. The Bhil, Garasia and Damor tribes, the Baneshwar fair, the Helru cooperative and the Pal settlement are asked, and the explanations give the meaning of each term.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 1–10 of 12 questions
Q2. Match the major tribes of Rajasthan in List-I with their primary geographical concentration in List-II.
| Tribe | Geographical Concentration |
|---|---|
| A. Saharia | i. Dungarpur |
| B. Garasia | ii. Baran |
| C. Damor | iii. Jaipur and Dausa |
| D. Meena | iv. Sirohi and Pali |
Explanation
Tribal communities in Rajasthan are geographically distributed across specific regions based on historical and environmental factors. Saharias are primarily located in the Baran district, while the Garasia tribe is found in Sirohi and Pali. The Damor community is concentrated in Dungarpur, and the Meena tribe has a substantial presence in the eastern districts of Jaipur and Dausa.
Q3. Which of the following is not recognized as a Scheduled Tribe in the state of Rajasthan?
Explanation
Several tribal groups are officially recognized under the Scheduled Tribes list in Rajasthan to ensure social and economic protections. While the Bhil, Meena, and Garasia communities represent the largest and most well-known tribes within the state, the Santhal tribe is not historically or legally recognized as an indigenous Scheduled Tribe within the geographical boundaries of Rajasthan.
Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the Meena tribe of Rajasthan:
I. They are historically divided into two primary groups known as Chaukidar Meenas and Zamindar Meenas.
II. They trace their mythical origin to Matsya Avatar, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
III. They are predominantly concentrated in the southern districts of Udaipur and Banswara.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. They are historically divided into two primary groups known as Chaukidar Meenas and Zamindar Meenas.
II. They trace their mythical origin to Matsya Avatar, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
III. They are predominantly concentrated in the southern districts of Udaipur and Banswara.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Meena community is one of the most prominent tribal groups in Rajasthan, historically organized into the Chaukidar and Zamindar divisions. They claim their mythological lineage from the Matsya Avatar of Lord Vishnu. While they are found across the state, their primary concentration is in eastern districts like Jaipur rather than the southernmost districts like Udaipur.
Q5. The famous Baneshwar Fair, often referred to as the Kumbh of the tribals, is held in which district of Rajasthan?
Explanation
The Baneshwar Fair is a major cultural and religious event celebrated at the confluence of the Som, Mahi, and Jakham rivers. Held annually in the Dungarpur district, it is widely regarded as the most significant gathering for tribal communities in Rajasthan. This event serves as a platform for social interaction, traditional rituals, and vibrant cultural expressions.
Q6. The following are districts of Rajasthan:
I. Banswara
II. Dungarpur
III. Udaipur
IV. Pratapgarh
Arrange these districts in descending order based on the percentage of their Scheduled Tribe population to their total district population as per the 2011 Census. Which of the following represents the correct sequence?
I. Banswara
II. Dungarpur
III. Udaipur
IV. Pratapgarh
Arrange these districts in descending order based on the percentage of their Scheduled Tribe population to their total district population as per the 2011 Census. Which of the following represents the correct sequence?
Explanation
According to the 2011 Census, the concentration of Scheduled Tribes varies significantly across southern Rajasthan districts. Banswara holds the highest percentage of tribal population relative to its total inhabitants, followed closely by Dungarpur and Pratapgarh. Udaipur also maintains a substantial tribal presence, though its percentage is lower compared to these other heavily populated tribal-dominated districts in the region.
Q7. Consider the following statements regarding the Bhagat Movement:
I. It was initiated by Govind Giri to bring social and religious reforms among the Bhils.
II. The followers were instructed to abstain from alcohol and meat.
III. The Samp Sabha was established in 1883 to unite the tribal communities.
IV. The Mangarh hill massacre associated with this movement occurred in 1913.
V. The movement exclusively targeted the British without opposing local feudal exploitation.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
I. It was initiated by Govind Giri to bring social and religious reforms among the Bhils.
II. The followers were instructed to abstain from alcohol and meat.
III. The Samp Sabha was established in 1883 to unite the tribal communities.
IV. The Mangarh hill massacre associated with this movement occurred in 1913.
V. The movement exclusively targeted the British without opposing local feudal exploitation.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
Govind Giri initiated the Bhagat Movement to promote social and religious reforms, emphasizing abstinence from alcohol and meat. He established the Samp Sabha in 1883 to unify tribal communities against various forms of exploitation. While the movement challenged British authority, it also directly opposed local feudal oppression and arbitrary taxes, rather than focusing exclusively on the colonial government alone.
Q8. The ashes of the deceased are traditionally immersed in the Nakki Lake at Mount Abu by the members of which tribe?
Explanation
The Garasia tribe possesses unique funerary customs that distinguish their community from other tribal groups in Rajasthan. One of their most significant traditions involves the immersion of the ashes of the deceased into the waters of Nakki Lake, located in Mount Abu. This practice is deeply rooted in their spiritual beliefs regarding the afterlife and the sacredness of nature.
Q9. The institution of ‘Helru’, a cooperative system designed to assist members in agricultural and social tasks, belongs to which tribe?
Explanation
The Garasia tribe utilizes a unique traditional cooperative system known as Helru to foster community support and social cohesion. This institution plays a vital role in organizing collective efforts for various agricultural activities, house construction, and social ceremonies. By working together through Helru, community members ensure that essential tasks are completed efficiently while strengthening the internal bonds within their society.
Q10. Given below are two statements, one labelled as
Assertion (A) and the other labelled as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): The Meena community launched a sustained agitation against the British and princely states in the early 20th century.
Reason (R): The colonial government enacted the Criminal Tribes Act in 1924, which mandated the daily registration of Meena men and women at local police stations.
Which of the following is correct?
Assertion (A) and the other labelled as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): The Meena community launched a sustained agitation against the British and princely states in the early 20th century.
Reason (R): The colonial government enacted the Criminal Tribes Act in 1924, which mandated the daily registration of Meena men and women at local police stations.
Which of the following is correct?
Explanation
The Meena community engaged in a long-standing struggle against the British and local princely states during the early twentieth century. This resistance was primarily triggered by the enactment of the Criminal Tribes Act in 1924. This discriminatory law forced Meena individuals to report daily to police stations, leading to widespread social unrest and organized movements to secure their civil rights.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 1 | (b) 13.5 percent |
| 2 | (a) A-ii, B-iv, C-i, D-iii |
| 3 | (c) Santhal |
| 4 | (a) I and II only |
| 5 | (c) Dungarpur |
| 6 | (a) I, II, IV, III |
| 7 | (c) V only |
| 8 | (b) Garasia |
| 9 | (a) Garasia |
| 10 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
Key facts from Tribes of Rajasthan
- The Scheduled Tribes make up about 13.5 per cent of the population of Rajasthan (2011 Census).
- The Baneshwar Fair, called the Kumbh of the tribals, is held in the Dungarpur district.
- The Garasia immerse the ashes of the dead in Nakki Lake at Mount Abu.
- Helru is a cooperative system of mutual help among the Garasia in agriculture and building.
- The Damor tribe, influenced by Gujarat’s culture, lives mainly in the Dungarpur area.
- In Bhil society a Pal is a large village or a cluster of hamlets.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Tribes of Rajasthan?
This page has 12 practice MCQs on Tribes of Rajasthan (Rajasthan Geography). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Where is the Baneshwar Fair held?
In the Dungarpur district, at the confluence of the Som, Mahi and Jakham rivers. It is called the Kumbh of the tribals and is attended by Bhils and other tribes from Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.
What is a Pal in Bhil society?
A large village or a cluster of several hamlets. The Bhil settlements are scattered among the hills, and the Pal is the basic unit of their social organisation, headed by a Pal head.
What is the Helru?
A cooperative system of the Garasia tribe designed to help members with agriculture and building work. The community gathers to do a task for one family, and the help is returned in turn.