Q21. The group of eight prominent saint-poets associated with the Pushti Marg, who composed devotional hymns for Shrinathji, is collectively known as:
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.
Showing 21–30 of 112 questions
Q22. What was the primary effect of the establishment of the Shrinathji temple at Nathdwara on the cultural landscape of Rajasthan?
Explanation
The Shrinathji temple made Nathdwara a major centre of Vaishnava art, especially Pichhwai painting. It did not cause the decline of Mewar painting.
Q23. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
| Vallabha Peeth in Rajasthan | Location |
|---|---|
| A. Shrinathji | i. Kankroli |
| B. Dwarkadhishji | ii. Kota |
| C. Mathureshji | iii. Nathdwara |
| D. Madan Mohanji | iv. Kaman (Bharatpur) |
Explanation
Shrinathji is at Nathdwara, Dwarkadhishji at Kankroli, Mathureshji at Kota and Madan Mohanji at Kaman in Bharatpur. This gives A-iii, B-i, C-ii, D-iv.
Q24. The principal seat of the Ramanandi sect in Rajasthan, often referred to as ‘North Totadri’, is located at:
Explanation
Galtaji near Jaipur is the principal seat of the Ramanandi sect in Rajasthan and is called North Totadri.
Q25. Who among the following established the main Peeth of the Ramanandi sect at Galtaji by defeating the local Nath yogis in a spiritual debate?
Explanation
Krishnadas Payahari established the Ramanandi Peeth at Galtaji after defeating the local Nath yogis in a spiritual debate.
Q26. The philosophical framework of the Ramanandi sect is derived from the Vishishtadvaita philosophy originally propounded by:
Explanation
The Ramanandi sect follows the Vishishtadvaita philosophy of Ramanujacharya.
Q27. 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): Galtaji is historically known as ‘North Totadri’ in the context of the Ramanandi sect.
Reason (R): It became the foremost center of the Ramanuja lineage in North India, parallel to the original Totadri matha in South India.
Assertion (A) and the other labeled as Reason (R). Examine these two statements carefully and select the correct answer.
Assertion (A): Galtaji is historically known as ‘North Totadri’ in the context of the Ramanandi sect.
Reason (R): It became the foremost center of the Ramanuja lineage in North India, parallel to the original Totadri matha in South India.
Explanation
Galtaji is called North Totadri because it became the foremost centre of the Ramanuja lineage in North India, as the Totadri matha is in the south. The reason explains the assertion.
Q28. The ‘Rasik Sampradaya’, a sub-sect of the Ramanandi tradition that emphasizes the worship of Sita and Rama with Madhurya Bhava (romantic devotion), was established at Rewasa (Sikar) by:
Explanation
The Rasik Sampradaya, which stresses Madhurya bhava in worship of Sita and Rama, was established at Rewasa in Sikar by Agradas.
Q29. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic feature of the Ramanandi sect’s presence in Rajasthan?
Explanation
The Ramanandis use Hindi, take disciples of all castes and worship Rama and Sita. They did not reject idol worship and temples, so D is not a feature.
Q30. Consider the following statements regarding the Ramanandi sect:
Statement I: The Ramanandi sect simplified the rigid caste-based rules of the earlier Ramanuja tradition regarding dining and initiation.
Statement II: The Jaipur royal family actively persecuted the Ramanandi ascetics during the 18th century.
Which of the following is correct?
Statement I: The Ramanandi sect simplified the rigid caste-based rules of the earlier Ramanuja tradition regarding dining and initiation.
Statement II: The Jaipur royal family actively persecuted the Ramanandi ascetics during the 18th century.
Which of the following is correct?
Explanation
The Ramanandi sect relaxed the rigid caste rules of the Ramanuja tradition on dining and initiation, so Statement I is correct. The Jaipur royal family did not persecute the Ramanandis, so Statement II is incorrect.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 21 | (b) Ashta Chhap |
| 22 | (d) It turned Nathdwara into a major hub of Vaishnava art and Pichhwais. |
| 23 | (a) A-iii, B-i, C-ii, D-iv |
| 24 | (c) Galtaji |
| 25 | (a) Krishnadas Payahari |
| 26 | (d) Ramanujacharya |
| 27 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 28 | (c) Agradas |
| 29 | (d) The complete rejection of idol worship and temple construction. |
| 30 | (c) Statement I is correct, but Statement II is incorrect. |
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.