Q31. What is the fundamental characteristic of ‘Bardic Literature’ in Rajasthan?
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 31–40 of 112 questions
Q32. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer.
| Modern Rajasthani Work | Author |
|---|---|
| A. Radha | i. Kanhaiyalal Sethia |
| B. Pithal and Pathal | ii. Satya Prakash Joshi |
| C. Pagphero | iii. Mani Madhukar |
| D. Bol Bharmali | iv. Mani Bhaskar |
Explanation
Radha is by Satya Prakash Joshi, Pithal and Pathal by Kanhaiyalal Sethia and Pagphero by Mani Madhukar. These three pairs match option A.
Q33. Jain literature in early Rajasthan primarily flourished in the form of:
Explanation
Jain literature of early Rajasthan appeared mainly in the forms Ras, Phagu and Charchari.
Q34. Which among the following is a composition by Sant Jambhoji?
Explanation
Sabad Vani is a composition of Sant Jambhoji, the founder of the Bishnoi sect. Kondas is linked with Jasnathji.
Q35. Consider the following prominent figures related to the Bhakti movement in Rajasthan:
I. Dadu Dayal
II. Ram Charan
III. Meera Bai
IV. Laldas
V. Jasnath
Which of the following combinations correctly identifies the prominent ‘Saguna’ Bhakti saint among the options?
I. Dadu Dayal
II. Ram Charan
III. Meera Bai
IV. Laldas
V. Jasnath
Which of the following combinations correctly identifies the prominent ‘Saguna’ Bhakti saint among the options?
Explanation
Meera Bai is the main Saguna bhakti poet, with devotion to Krishna in form. Dadu Dayal, Ram Charan and Laldas belong to the Nirguna stream.
Q36. Which of the following is an example of purely historical prose (Khyat) in Rajasthani literature?
Explanation
Nainsi ri Khyat by Muhnot Nainsi is a work of historical prose. The others are poetic or romantic works.
Q37. Given below are two statements, one labeled as
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): Prithviraj Rathore’s ‘Veli Krisan Rukamani ri’ is acclaimed as the ‘Fifth Veda’ and ‘Nineteenth Purana’.
Reason (R): It was written as a pure historical chronicle of the Rathore dynasty’s victories against the Mughals.
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): Prithviraj Rathore’s ‘Veli Krisan Rukamani ri’ is acclaimed as the ‘Fifth Veda’ and ‘Nineteenth Purana’.
Reason (R): It was written as a pure historical chronicle of the Rathore dynasty’s victories against the Mughals.
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
Explanation
Veli Krisan Rukamani ri is praised as the Fifth Veda and the Nineteenth Purana, so the assertion is true. It is not a chronicle of Rathore victories over the Mughals but a devotional poem on Krishna and Rukmini, so the reason is false.
Q38. Meera Bai’s devotion is characterized primarily by which type of Bhakti?
Explanation
Meera Bai’s devotion is of the Madhurya (Kanta) bhava, where the devotee loves the god as a beloved loves her lord.
Q39. Choose the correct sequential order of the prominent early Rajasthani poetic traditions based on their chronological emergence:
Explanation
The Jain Ras tradition came first, the Charan Raso tradition followed and the Sant Sahitya tradition emerged later. This is the usual order of their emergence.
Q40. Which of the following is NOT a recognized characteristic of Rajasthani folk tales (Batan)?
Explanation
Rajasthani folk tales (Batan) are oral, have supernatural elements and morals, and record rural life. They are not written in rigid Sanskrit metres, so D is the exception.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 31 | (a) Chronicles of the valor and lineage of Rajput rulers. |
| 32 | (a) A-ii, B-i, C-iii, D-ii |
| 33 | (d) Ras, Phagu, and Charchari |
| 34 | (c) Sabad Vani |
| 35 | (b) III only |
| 36 | (d) Nainsi ri Khyat |
| 37 | (c) A is true but R is false. |
| 38 | (c) Madhurya Bhava (Kanta Bhava) |
| 39 | (a) Jain Ras tradition - Charan Raso tradition - Sant Sahitya tradition |
| 40 | (d) They are composed exclusively in rigid Sanskrit meters. |
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.