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 81–90 of 112 questions
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Religious Life: Saints, Sects and Folk Deities
Q81. Consider the following statements regarding Baba Ramdevji: I. He is considered an incarnation of Lord Krishna by his Hindu devotees. II. Muslim devotees venerate him as ‘Ramsha Pir’. III. He authored a book of spiritual verses called ‘Chaubees Baniya’. Which of the above statements is/are the correct combination?
Explanation
Baba Ramdevji is a unique figure of communal harmony, worshipped as an incarnation of Krishna by Hindus and as Ramsha Pir by Muslims. He is also one of the few folk deities credited with composing spiritual poetry, specifically a collection of verses known as ‘Chaubees Baniya’. His life and teachings successfully bridged religious divides, making him a universally respected figure across different communities in North India.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Religious Life: Saints, Sects and Folk Deities
Q82. Which of the following best describes the social contribution of Baba Ramdevji?
Explanation
Baba Ramdevji is most remembered for his revolutionary social contribution in the form of a sustained campaign against untouchability and class-based discrimination. By initiating people from all backgrounds into his Kamadia Panth and treating all devotees as equals, he challenged the rigid social structures of medieval Rajasthan. His message of ‘equality before God’ made him a champion for the oppressed and a symbol of social reform.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Religious Life: Saints, Sects and Folk Deities
Q83. 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 shrine of Ramdevji at Runicha attracts millions of devotees from both Hindu and Muslim communities. Reason (R): Ramdevji defeated five Pirs from Mecca in a theological debate and subsequently forced them to convert to Hinduism.
Explanation
The shrine at Ramdevra (Runicha) is indeed a major center of pilgrimage for both Hindus and Muslims, reflecting the deity’s immense popularity across religious lines. However, the legend regarding the five Pirs from Mecca states that they were impressed by his miracles and spiritual power, subsequently recognizing him as a ‘Pir of Pirs’, rather than being defeated in a debate and forced to convert.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Religious Life: Saints, Sects and Folk Deities
Q84. Which folk deity of Rajasthan is worshipped as the ‘God of Camels’ and is credited with bringing camels to Marwar for the first time?
Explanation
Pabuji is widely worshipped in Rajasthan as the ‘God of Camels’. According to local tradition, he is the one who brought camels to the Marwar region from Sindh. He is the principal deity of the Raika or Rebari community, who are traditional camel breeders. Devotees believe that praying to Pabuji can cure ailing livestock, making him an essential figure in the rural economy.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Religious Life: Saints, Sects and Folk Deities
Q85. The folk deity Gogaji, highly venerated as a snake god, fought a fierce battle defending cows against which prominent historical invader?
Explanation
Gogaji, a legendary warrior and snake deity, is celebrated for his heroic defense of cows against the invading army of Mahmud Ghaznavi. According to folk tradition, he fought so fiercely that his head fell at one location while his body continued to fight, finally falling at another. This legend solidified his status as a protector of the land and a symbol of resistance against foreign invaders.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Religious Life: Saints, Sects and Folk Deities
Q86. Arrange the following sites associated with Gogaji in a logical geographical/ritual sequence from his birthplace to his final resting place: I. Gogamedi (Hanumangarh) II. Dadrewa (Churu) III. Gogaji ki Oladi (Sanchore)
Explanation
The ritual sequence starts at Dadrewa, the birthplace of Gogaji, often called ‘Sheersh Medi’. The next major site is Gogamedi in Hanumangarh, known as ‘Dhur Medi’, where his body is said to have fallen and where the largest annual fair is held.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Religious Life: Saints, Sects and Folk Deities
Q87. The folk deity Tejaji sacrificed his life to protect the cows of Lacha Gujari. At which place did he die due to a snakebite?
Explanation
Tejaji gave his life to protect the cows of Lacha Gujari and died of a snakebite at Sursura.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Religious Life: Saints, Sects and Folk Deities
Q88. Consider the following statements regarding the ‘Panch Pirs’ of Marwar: I. Pabuji is worshipped as an incarnation of Lakshman. II. Mehaji Mangaliya’s primary temple is at Bapini. III. Harbhuji was a contemporary of Rao Jodha and blessed him in his struggle to reclaim Mandore. IV. Tejaji is universally counted among the traditional Panch Pirs of Marwar. Which of the above statements is/are the incorrect combination?
Explanation
Pabuji is worshipped as an incarnation of Lakshman, Mehaji Mangaliya’s main temple is at Bapini and Harbhuji blessed Rao Jodha. Tejaji is not counted among the traditional Panch Pirs, so IV is incorrect.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Religious Life: Saints, Sects and Folk Deities
Q89. Among the widely venerated folk deities of Rajasthan, who among the following is NOT traditionally included in the ‘Panch Pirs’ (Five Pirs)?
Explanation
The Panch Pirs of Rajasthan are Pabuji, Hadbhuji, Ramdevji, Mehaji Mangaliya and Gogaji. Devnarayanji is a folk deity but is not counted among them.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Religious Life: Saints, Sects and Folk Deities
Q90. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Folk Deity
Mount / Associated Animal
A. Pabuji
i. Lilan (Mare)
B. Devnarayanji
ii. Kesar Kalmi (Mare)
C. Gogaji
iii. Nili Ghori (Blue Mare)
D. Tejaji
iv. Leelagar (Horse)
Explanation
Pabuji’s mare is Kesar Kalmi, Devnarayanji’s horse is Leelagar, Gogaji rides the Nili Ghori and Tejaji’s mare is Lilan. This gives A-ii, B-iv, C-iii, D-i.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
81
(d) I, II and III
82
(d) He campaigned against untouchability and class discrimination.
83
(c) A is true but R is false.
84
(c) Pabuji
85
(a) Mahmud Ghaznavi
86
(a) II, I, III
87
(b) Sursura
88
(b) IV only
89
(a) Devnarayanji
90
(a) A-ii, B-iv, C-iii, D-i
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.
