Q61. Identify the incorrect statement regarding Meera Bai’s life.
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 61–70 of 112 questions
Q62. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
| Literary Work/Concept | Associated Saint |
|---|---|
| A. Padavali | i. Dadu Dayal |
| B. Sabad Vani | ii. Meera Bai |
| C. Dadu Vani | iii. Kabir |
| D. Bijak | iv. Jambhoji |
Explanation
Meera Bai’s devotional poems are collected in the ‘Padavali’. ‘Sabad Vani’ refers to the verses of Jambhoji, the founder of the Bishnoi sect. ‘Dadu Vani’ contains the teachings and spiritual messages of Sant Dadu Dayal. ‘Bijak’ is the primary and most authoritative collection of the verses of Kabir. Each of these texts represents the core spiritual and literary legacy of their respective saintly authors.
Q63. Jambhoji, the founder of the Bishnoi sect, was born in the year 1451 AD in the village of:
Explanation
Jambhoji, the founder of the Bishnoi sect, was born in 1451 AD in the village of Pipasar, located in the Nagaur district. Born into a Panwar Rajput family, he was known for his silent and meditative nature from childhood. He eventually developed a spiritual philosophy centered on environmental conservation and moral living, which he began preaching after witnessing severe droughts in the desert region.
Q64. The Bishnoi sect gets its name from the number of principles laid down by Jambhoji for his followers. How many principles are there?
Explanation
The name ‘Bishnoi’ is derived from ‘Bees’ (twenty) and ‘No’ (nine), representing the twenty-nine principles established by Jambhoji for his followers. These rules cover various aspects of life, including religious practices, personal hygiene, moral conduct, and, most famously, a strict commitment to the protection of all living beings and the preservation of green trees, particularly the Khejri tree.
Q65. The principal pilgrimage site and the final resting place (Samadhi) of Jambhoji is located at:
Explanation
Mukam, situated in the Bikaner district, is the most sacred pilgrimage site for the Bishnoi community. It is the location where Jambhoji took his Samadhi, or final resting place. Every year, thousands of followers gather here for major fairs held during the months of Ashvin and Phalguna to pay their respects to the saint and reinforce their commitment to his ecological and spiritual teachings.
Q66. The sacred scripture of the Bishnoi sect, containing 120 ‘shabads’ (verses) composed by Jambhoji, is known as:
Explanation
‘Jambh Sagar’ is the primary sacred scripture of the Bishnoi sect, containing the 120 ‘shabads’ or verses composed by Jambhoji himself. These verses articulate his philosophical views on the divine, the importance of a Guru, and the necessity of environmental and social ethics. Other important texts for the community include ‘Jambh Samhita’ and ‘Bishnoi Dharmaprakash’, which further elaborate on the sect’s traditions and rules.
Q67. Consider the following statements regarding the 29 principles of the Bishnoi sect:
I. They strictly prohibit the cutting of green trees, especially the Khejri tree.
II. They mandate the protection of wildlife, resulting in the preservation of the Blackbuck in their regions.
III. They require the daily performance of elaborate fire sacrifices (Havan) using only pure ghee.
IV. They enforce a strict vegetarian diet and prohibit the consumption of alcohol and opium.
Which of the above statements is/are the correct combination?
I. They strictly prohibit the cutting of green trees, especially the Khejri tree.
II. They mandate the protection of wildlife, resulting in the preservation of the Blackbuck in their regions.
III. They require the daily performance of elaborate fire sacrifices (Havan) using only pure ghee.
IV. They enforce a strict vegetarian diet and prohibit the consumption of alcohol and opium.
Which of the above statements is/are the correct combination?
Explanation
The 29 principles of the Bishnoi sect emphasize the protection of green trees and wildlife, leading to the preservation of the Blackbuck and Khejri tree. They also mandate a strict vegetarian diet and prohibit intoxicants like alcohol and opium. While they perform simple fire rituals, the elaborate and costly daily sacrifice using large amounts of ghee is not a mandatory part of their traditional core principles.
Q68. Which of the following locations is an odd one out, as it is NOT traditionally considered one of the sacred sites (Satharis) associated with Jambhoji?
Explanation
Galtaji is a major center for the Ramanandi Vaishnava sect and is not associated with Jambhoji or the Bishnoi sect. In contrast, Pipasar is Jambhoji’s birthplace, Samrathal Dhora is where he established the Bishnoi order and performed penance, and Mukam is his final resting place. These three sites, along with others like Janglu and Lohawat, are the primary ‘Satharis’ or sacred locations for Bishnoi devotees.
Q69. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
| Place related to Bishnoi Sect | Significance |
|---|---|
| A. Pipasar | i. Samadhi (final resting place) of Jambhoji |
| B. Samrathal Dhora | ii. Birthplace of Jambhoji |
| C. Mukam | iii. Site of the mass sacrifice led by Amrita Devi for tree protection |
| D. Khejarli | iv. Site where Jambhoji established the Bishnoi sect |
Explanation
Pipasar is the birthplace of Jambhoji, while Samrathal Dhora is the site where he formally established the Bishnoi sect in 1485 AD. Mukam serves as his final resting place or Samadhi. Khejarli is the historical site of the supreme sacrifice made by Amrita Devi and 363 others in 1730 to protect Khejri trees, embodying the core environmental values taught by the saint.
Q70. Sant Laldas, the founder of the Laldasi sect, which emphasizes Hindu-Muslim unity, was born in:
Explanation
Sant Laldas, the founder of the Laldasi sect, was born in the village of Dhaoli Doov in the Alwar district. Belonging to the Meo community, he worked as a woodcutter before attaining spiritual enlightenment.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 61 | (a) She performed Sati immediately to honor traditions. |
| 62 | (a) A-ii, B-iv, C-i, D-iii |
| 63 | (b) Pipasar |
| 64 | (b) 29 |
| 65 | (c) Mukam (Bikaner) |
| 66 | (d) Jambh Sagar |
| 67 | (b) I, II and IV |
| 68 | (d) Galtaji |
| 69 | (a) A-ii, B-iv, C-i, D-iii |
| 70 | (c) Dhaoli Doov (Alwar) |
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.