Q101. Which early Rajasthani text was composed by Shridhar Vyas?
Language and Literature of Rajasthan: RAS Prelims MCQs
112 RAS Prelims MCQs on Rajasthani language and literature cover the origin and dialects of the language, the Dingal and Pingal styles, bardic and Jain literature and major authors. Questions pair works with their writers and dialects with regions, so remember each text with its author, its language form and its theme.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 101–110 of 112 questions
Q102. The ‘Mewati’ dialect, spoken in the Alwar- Bharatpur region, heavily incorporates elements of which neighboring linguistic tradition?
Explanation
Mewati, spoken in the Alwar and Bharatpur region, takes strongly from Kauravi and Braj, the neighbouring languages of the north and east.
Q103. Identify the incorrect pair regarding the author and their corresponding text in Rajasthani literature:
Explanation
Surya Mall Misran wrote Balvad Vilas, Bankidas wrote Bankidas ri Khyat and Shyamaldas wrote Vir Vinod. Batan ri Phulwari is by Vijaydan Detha, not by Muhnot Nainsi, so C is incorrect.
Q104. Which famous linguist stated that Dingal was the ‘Maru Bhasha’ and Pingal was the ‘Naga Bhasha’?
Explanation
L. P. Tessitori, the Italian linguist, described Dingal as the Maru Bhasha and Pingal as the Naga Bhasha. He worked extensively on old Rajasthani.
Q105. The compositions of which female saint of Rajasthan are famously known as ‘Padavali’?
Explanation
The compositions of Meera Bai are known as Padavali. They are devotional poems addressed to Krishna.
Q106. The term ‘Sajha Sanskriti’ in Rajasthani literature often refers to the syncretic tradition prominently visible in the works of:
Explanation
Sajha Sanskriti, the shared or syncretic tradition, is visible in the works of the Nirguna and Saguna saints, who drew on both strands of devotion.
Q107. Which of the following best describes the ‘Pavadia’ in Rajasthani folk literature?
Explanation
Pavadia (Pavada) are heroic folk ballads that recount brave deeds. They are sung in praise of heroes and folk deities.
Q108. Which of the following is an exception to the predominantly martial and historical themes of Charan literature?
Explanation
Nainsi ri Khyat, Rao Jaitsi ro Chhand and Raj Rupak deal with history and war. Veli Krisan Rukamani ri is a devotional poem on Krishna, so it is the exception.
Q109. The text ‘Ratan Raso’, which details the battle between Ratan Singh of Ratlam and Aurangzeb, was written by:
Explanation
Ratan Raso, on the battle of Ratan Singh of Ratlam with Aurangzeb, was written by Kumbhkaran.
Q110. Which of the following texts is considered a seminal work in highlighting the agrarian issues and rural life in modern Rajasthani literature?
Explanation
Abhe Patki by Shrilal Joshi is a seminal modern Rajasthani novel on the agrarian issues and the rural life of the region.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 101 | (d) Ranmall Chhand |
| 102 | (b) Kauravi and Braj |
| 103 | (c) Muhnot Nainsi - Batan ri Phulwari |
| 104 | (d) L.P. Tessitori |
| 105 | (a) Meera Bai |
| 106 | (b) Nirguna and Saguna Sants |
| 107 | (b) Heroic folk ballads recounting brave deeds. |
| 108 | (c) Veli Krisan Rukamani ri |
| 109 | (d) Kumbhkaran |
| 110 | (c) Abhe Patki by Shrilal Joshi |
Key facts from Language and Literature of Rajasthan
- The Rajasthani language is traced to Sauraseni (Gurjari) Apabhramsha.
- George Abraham Grierson classified the dialects of Rajasthan in the Linguistic Survey of India.
- Dingal is the literary style based on Marwari used by the Charans; Pingal is the style used for Prithviraj Raso.
- Veli Krisan Rukamani ri was written by Prithviraj Rathore.
- Batan ri Phulwari, a collection of folk tales, is by Vijaydan Detha.
- Early Jain literature flourished in forms such as Ras, Phagu and Charchari.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Language and Literature of Rajasthan?
This page has 112 practice MCQs on Language and Literature of Rajasthan (Rajasthan History, Art and Culture). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Who classified the dialects of Rajasthan?
George Abraham Grierson, in the Linguistic Survey of India. His grouping of the dialects of Rajasthani into regional families is still the starting point for questions on dialects such as Marwari and Dhundhari.
Who wrote Batan ri Phulwari?
Vijaydan Detha, a well-known Rajasthani author. The work is a large collection of traditional folk tales retold in Rajasthani, and it is one of the most quoted books in modern Rajasthani literature.
Is Rajasthani in the Eighth Schedule?
No. As of now Rajasthani has not been added to the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, though its inclusion has long been demanded. The language is nevertheless spoken by millions and has a rich literary tradition of bardic and Jain works.