Q1321. The ‘Rammat’ folk theatre tradition of Rajasthan has its deepest historical and cultural roots predominantly in which two cities?
Rajasthan History, Art and Culture: RAS Prelims MCQs
1767 RAS Prelims practice MCQs on the history, art, culture, literature and heritage of Rajasthan are on this page, in 17 chapters. They run from prehistoric sites and inscriptions through the Rajput dynasties, the Mughal and British periods and the integration of Rajasthan, then move to forts, painting, folk arts, language, saints, fairs and leading personalities. Questions come as plain facts, statement sets, match-the-list tables and assertion-reason items, each with an answer and an explanation.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
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Q1322. A group of performers is staging a play in an open courtyard in Bikaner on a raised wooden platform called ‘Pata Sanskriti’, chanting poetic dialogues accompanied by the Nagada and Dholak during the festival of Holi. Identify the folk drama described above.
Explanation
Rammat is the folk drama of Bikaner and Jaisalmer, performed on a raised platform in open spaces during Holi, with chanted poetic dialogues, Nagada and Dholak.
Q1323. Match List I with List II regarding famous Rammats and their primary themes.
| Famous Rammats | Subject/Theme |
|---|---|
| A. Hedau Meri Ri Rammat | i. Nationalist and patriotic themes |
| B. Amar Singh Rathore Ri Rammat | ii. Bravery and historical valor |
| C. Phagu Maharaj Ri Rammat | iii. Mythological and social satire |
| D. Swatantra Bawan Ri Rammat | iv. Idealistic love and marital conflicts |
Explanation
Famous Rammats focus on varied themes. ‘Hedau Meri Ri Rammat’ deals with idealistic love and marital conflicts, while ‘Amar Singh Rathore Ri Rammat’ highlights historical valor and bravery. ‘Phagu Maharaj Ri Rammat’ often incorporates mythological or satirical elements, and ‘Swatantra Bawan’ is uniquely known for its nationalist and patriotic themes, reflecting the political consciousness of the era of composition.
Q1324. Identify the correct pair regarding the prominent poets (Ustads) associated with the Rammat tradition.
Explanation
In the Rammat tradition, specific poets or ‘Ustads’ are famous for their compositions. Jawahar Lal Purohit is the renowned author of ‘Hedau Meri Ri Rammat’, a classic of the Bikaner style. Other famous figures include Tej Kavi, who is associated with the Jaisalmer style, and Nanu Ram, who is actually a pioneer of the Shekhawati Khyal rather than the Jaisalmer Rammat.
Q1325. Tej Kavi of Jaisalmer famously authored ‘Swatantra Bawan’ (Fifty-two poems of independence) and presented it to which prominent historical figure?
Explanation
Tej Kavi of Jaisalmer was a patriotic poet who used the Rammat stage to promote the Indian independence movement. He famously authored ‘Swatantra Bawan’, a collection of fifty-two poems filled with nationalist fervor. In a bold act of defiance against colonial rule, he presented a copy of this work to Mahatma Gandhi, signaling the role of folk arts.
Q1326. Consider the following statements about the musical aspects of Rammat:
I. The performance is heavily dialogue-oriented, delivered in a musical, poetic cadence.
II. Nagada and Dholak are the primary percussion instruments used.
III. It strictly uses Western classical notations for its background score.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. The performance is heavily dialogue-oriented, delivered in a musical, poetic cadence.
II. Nagada and Dholak are the primary percussion instruments used.
III. It strictly uses Western classical notations for its background score.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Rammat is characterized by lengthy, poetic dialogues delivered in a musical cadence, supported by percussion instruments like the nagada and dholak. The music is purely folk-based and follows traditional rhythmic patterns. It does not use Western classical notations or orchestral arrangements, as its appeal lies in its authentic, localized sound that resonates with the rural and urban populations of Rajasthan.
Q1327. The Turra-Kalangi folk opera tradition is fundamentally defined by the poetic dialogue and philosophical rivalry between which two symbolic factions?
Explanation
The Turra-Kalangi folk opera is centered on the philosophical and poetic rivalry between two symbolic factions: Turra, representing Lord Shiva, and Kalangi, representing Goddess Parvati. This dualism forms the basis of the entire performance, as each side attempts to outwit the other through complex verses and spiritual debates, making it a unique blend of religion, philosophy, and theatre.
Q1328. Consider the following statements regarding the origins and symbolism in Turra-Kalangi:
I. ‘Turra’ represents Lord Shiva.
II. ‘Kalangi’ represents Goddess Parvati.
III. The tradition was initiated by two saints, Tukangir and Shah Ali.
IV. The performers sit quietly and only mime the stories without speaking.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. ‘Turra’ represents Lord Shiva.
II. ‘Kalangi’ represents Goddess Parvati.
III. The tradition was initiated by two saints, Tukangir and Shah Ali.
IV. The performers sit quietly and only mime the stories without speaking.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Turra and Kalangi represent Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, respectively, and the tradition was indeed founded by the saints Tukangir and Shah Ali. The performance is anything but quiet; it is a loud and vibrant poetic debate where performers actively sing and engage in verbal competition. The idea of it being a silent mime performance is incorrect, as its essence is verbal.
Q1329. In the context of the Turra-Kalangi folk opera, find the odd one out among the listed elements that do not fit the traditional format of the performance.
Explanation
Traditional Turra-Kalangi involves a ‘Dangal’ (competition), a ‘Mach’ (stage), and the use of the ‘Chang’ (percussion). These are integral to its competitive and public nature. The Purdah system, or the veiling of performers, is not part of this tradition. It is a masculine and public form of poetic debate where performers face each other and the audience directly on platforms.
Q1330. The Turra-Kalangi performance involves a structured poetic debate (Dangal). Arrange the following events in the correct sequence typical of a Turra-Kalangi performance:
A. Stage decoration (Mach)
B. Initial hymns
C. Poetic question by one faction
D. Poetic rebuttal by the opposing faction
Select the correct sequence from the options below:
A. Stage decoration (Mach)
B. Initial hymns
C. Poetic question by one faction
D. Poetic rebuttal by the opposing faction
Select the correct sequence from the options below:
Explanation
A Turra-Kalangi performance follows a logical progression. It begins with the decoration of the stage (Mach), followed by the chanting of initial hymns to seek blessings. The core of the performance is the ‘Dangal’, where one faction poses a poetic question or challenge, which is then met by a poetic rebuttal or answer from the opposing side throughout the night.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 1321 | (c) Bikaner and Jaisalmer |
| 1322 | (d) Rammat |
| 1323 | (a) A-iv, B-ii, C-iii, D-i |
| 1324 | (c) Jawahar Lal Purohit - Hedau Meri Ri Rammat |
| 1325 | (d) Mahatma Gandhi |
| 1326 | (a) I and II only |
| 1327 | (b) Shiva and Parvati |
| 1328 | (a) I, II, and III |
| 1329 | (c) Purdah system (Veiling of performers) |
| 1330 | (a) A, B, C, D |
Key facts from Rajasthan History, Art and Culture
- Rajasthan history questions are fact-dense: sites with their districts, rulers with their forts, inscriptions with their dates.
- The integration of Rajasthan came in stages: the Matsya Union on 18 March 1948, the Rajasthan Union on 25 March 1948 and the United State of Rajasthan on 18 April 1948.
- Culture chapters reward pairs: a dance with its community, a painting school with its subject, a fair with its month.
- Statement-based and match-the-list items appear in every chapter, so partial knowledge is not enough; learn each fact with its context.
- Fort and monument questions often turn on one detail, such as the Jaivana cannon at Jaigarh or the 1,444 pillars of Ranakpur.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Rajasthan History, Art and Culture?
This page has 1767 practice MCQs on Rajasthan History, Art and Culture. Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which chapters does the Rajasthan history, art and culture set cover?
Seventeen chapters: prehistoric Rajasthan, sources of history, ancient society, major dynasties, resistance and cooperation with central power, administration and revenue, the 18th and 19th centuries, peasant and tribal movements, integration, temples and forts, water heritage, painting, performing arts, language, religious life, social life and leading personalities.
What types of questions are included?
Plain one-fact questions, statement sets (I, II, III), match-the-list tables, assertion-reason items, chronological-order questions and odd-one-out questions. The answer options use the same four-option format as the exam, so you can practise the pattern as well as the facts.
How should I revise Rajasthan history with these questions?
Take one chapter at a time. Attempt every question before opening the answer, read the explanation for the ones you got wrong and note each fact in a running list of places, rulers and dates. Return to the chapter after a few days and attempt it again.