Q1. Which of the following statements best describes the overarching nature of religious diversity in medieval Rajasthan?
Religious Life: Saints, Sects and Folk Deities: RAS Prelims MCQs
112 RAS Prelims MCQs on religious life in Rajasthan cover sects, saints, seats and philosophies. The Pushti Marg and Nathdwara, the Ramanandi seat at Galtaji, the Dadupanth, the Nath sampraday and the Nirguna tradition of Kabir are all part of the set, so learn each sect with its founder, its seat and its philosophy.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
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Q2. Consider the following statements regarding the Bhakti movement in Rajasthan:
Statement I: The Saguna Bhakti saints believed in a formless, attribute-less God and primarily used local dialects to spread their message.
Statement II: The Nirguna Bhakti saints believed in a personal God with attributes and focused heavily on elaborate temple rituals.
Which of the following is correct?
Statement I: The Saguna Bhakti saints believed in a formless, attribute-less God and primarily used local dialects to spread their message.
Statement II: The Nirguna Bhakti saints believed in a personal God with attributes and focused heavily on elaborate temple rituals.
Which of the following is correct?
Explanation
The classification of Bhakti traditions depends on the nature of the divine. Saguna Bhakti emphasizes a personal God with physical attributes and qualities, often involving idol worship and temple rituals. In contrast, Nirguna Bhakti focuses on an absolute, formless reality without attributes. Both statements in the question incorrectly swap these fundamental definitions of the Saguna and Nirguna spiritual paths.
Q3. Among the ancient and medieval religious sects of Rajasthan, which of the following is considered a primary center for the Kapalika and Pashupata sects of Shaivism?
Explanation
Eklingji, located near Udaipur, is the most prominent center of the Pashupata sect in Rajasthan. Established in the 8th century, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The rulers of the Mewar dynasty considered Eklingji as the actual king of the state, while they served only as his regents or Diwans, illustrating the sect’s deep political significance.
Q4. Identify the incorrect pair regarding the religious sects of Rajasthan and their principal seats.
Explanation
The Alakhia Sampraday was founded by the saint Lalgiri and is primarily centered in the Bikaner region, not Banswara. This sect emphasizes the worship of the formless divine known as Alakh and follows Nirguna philosophical principles. The other pairs, including the Nimbarka Sampraday at Salemabad and the Ramsnehi at Shahpura, correctly identify the principal seats of these influential religious groups.
Q5. Consider the following statements regarding the major religious currents in Rajasthan:
I. Jainism received extensive royal patronage in Mewar and Marwar regions.
II. The Nath Sampraday wielded significant political influence in the Marwar state during the reign of Maharaja Man Singh.
III. The Dadupanth originated in Gujarat but found its major following and principal seat in the Mewar region.
Which of the above statements is/are the correct combination?
I. Jainism received extensive royal patronage in Mewar and Marwar regions.
II. The Nath Sampraday wielded significant political influence in the Marwar state during the reign of Maharaja Man Singh.
III. The Dadupanth originated in Gujarat but found its major following and principal seat in the Mewar region.
Which of the above statements is/are the correct combination?
Explanation
Jainism enjoyed extensive royal patronage across Mewar and Marwar, leading to the construction of magnificent temples. The Nath Sampraday achieved significant political power in Marwar during Maharaja Man Singh’s reign. However, the Dadupanth did not originate in Gujarat; it was founded by Dadu Dayal within Rajasthan, with its principal seat and major following located in the Naraina region.
Q6. Arrange the following prominent Bhakti saints of Rajasthan in their correct chronological order of birth:
I. Sant Pipa
II. Dadu Dayal
III. Jambhoji
IV. Ramcharan
I. Sant Pipa
II. Dadu Dayal
III. Jambhoji
IV. Ramcharan
Explanation
The historical chronology of these saints begins with Sant Pipa, born in the late 14th century. He was followed by Jambhoji, the founder of the Bishnoi sect, born in 1451. Dadu Dayal’s birth is traditionally dated to 1544 during the mid- 16th century. Finally, Sant Ramcharan, who established the Ramsnehi sect, was born in 1719 during the late medieval period.
Q7. Given below are two statements, one labeled as
Assertion (A) and the other labeled as Reason (R). Examine these two statements carefully and select the correct answer.
Assertion (A): The Bhakti movement in Rajasthan significantly reduced the rigidity of the caste system during the medieval period.
Reason (R): Many prominent Bhakti saints in Rajasthan, such as Dadu Dayal, Kabir, and Raidas, came from marginalized communities and preached in the vernacular language.
Assertion (A) and the other labeled as Reason (R). Examine these two statements carefully and select the correct answer.
Assertion (A): The Bhakti movement in Rajasthan significantly reduced the rigidity of the caste system during the medieval period.
Reason (R): Many prominent Bhakti saints in Rajasthan, such as Dadu Dayal, Kabir, and Raidas, came from marginalized communities and preached in the vernacular language.
Explanation
The Bhakti movement in Rajasthan challenged the traditional caste hierarchy by promoting spiritual equality. Saints from diverse social backgrounds, including marginalized communities, preached in local vernacular languages rather than Sanskrit. By making spirituality accessible to all regardless of birth, these saints and their teachings directly contributed to reducing the social rigidity and caste-based discrimination prevalent during the medieval era.
Q8. The Maha Mandir in Jodhpur, known for its 84 elaborately carved pillars, is the principal seat of which of the following sects?
Explanation
The Maha Mandir in Jodhpur, with its 84 carved pillars, is the main seat of the Nath Sampraday. It was built under the patronage of Maharaja Man Singh, who followed the Nath sect.
Q9. The Nath Sampraday in Rajasthan is primarily divided into two main branches. What are their names?
Explanation
The Nath Sampraday in Rajasthan has two main branches, the Bairag Panth and the Mananthi Panth.
Q10. Which of the following statements about the Nath Sampraday in Rajasthan is incorrect?
Explanation
Gorakhnath is the chief systematiser of the Nath sect, which stresses Hatha Yoga and austerity, and Ayasji Nath was the preceptor of Maharaja Man Singh. Followers do not worship a Saguna form of Krishna, so D is incorrect.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 1 | (b) It featured a blend of Bhakti traditions, folk deities, and Sufi mysticism. |
| 2 | (b) Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect. |
| 3 | (c) Eklingji |
| 4 | (d) Alakhia Sampraday - Banswara |
| 5 | (a) I and II only |
| 6 | (a) I, III, II, IV |
| 7 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 8 | (c) Nath Sampraday |
| 9 | (a) Bairag Panth and Mananthi Panth |
| 10 | (d) Followers worship a Saguna form of Krishna. |
Key facts from Religious Life: Saints, Sects and Folk Deities
- The Pushti Marg was founded by Vallabhacharya; its philosophy is Shuddhadvaita.
- The Shrinathji idol was brought to Mewar to escape Aurangzeb’s iconoclasm, and Maharana Raj Singh gave refuge.
- The Ashta Chhap are the eight poets of the Pushti Marg.
- Galtaji is the main seat of the Ramanandi sect in Rajasthan; Krishnadas Payahari established its Peeth.
- Dadu Dayal, called the Kabir of Rajasthan, had his main seat at Naraina.
- The Maha Mandir in Jodhpur, with 84 carved pillars, is a seat of the Nath sampraday.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Religious Life: Saints, Sects and Folk Deities?
This page has 112 practice MCQs on Religious Life: Saints, Sects and Folk Deities (Rajasthan History, Art and Culture). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Who founded the Pushti Marg?
Vallabhacharya founded the Pushti Marg, whose philosophy is Shuddhadvaita. Pushti means the grace of God, and the sect holds that devotion and divine grace, not rigid ritual, lead to salvation. Its principal deity in Rajasthan is Shrinathji at Nathdwara.
Where is Dadu Dayal’s principal seat?
At Naraina (Narayana) in Rajasthan, where the Dadupanth has its main centre. Dadu Dayal is often called the Kabir of Rajasthan because he preached formless, nirguna devotion in the spirit of Kabir.
What are the Ashta Chhap?
The Ashta Chhap are the group of eight saint-poets associated with the Pushti Marg who composed devotional hymns for Shrinathji. Their songs became part of the daily worship of the sect and shaped the Braj devotional tradition.