Q1. The famous Pushkar Fair of Rajasthan is celebrated during which month of the Hindu calendar?
Social Life: Fairs, Festivals, Customs and Attires: RAS Prelims MCQs
98 RAS Prelims MCQs on social life in Rajasthan test fairs and their months, festivals and their meaning, rituals and traditional dress. Pushkar, Nagaur, Baneshwar, Teej, Gangaur and the Holi traditions are asked with their places, communities and customs, so keep each fair paired with its month, its district and what is traded or worshipped.
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. Which of the following is the primary ecological and religious cause for the mass gathering of pilgrims at the Pushkar Fair?
Explanation
The mass gathering at the Pushkar Fair is primarily driven by the religious significance of the Pushkar Lake. Devotees believe that taking a holy dip in the lake during the auspicious Kartik Purnima brings spiritual merit and salvation. This pilgrimage aspect is deeply intertwined with the cultural and ecological landscape of the desert region and its ancient traditions.
Q3. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
| Fairs of Rajasthan | Associated Hindu Month |
|---|---|
| A. Pushkar Fair | i. Magh |
| B. Baneshwar Fair | ii. Chaitra |
| C. Teej Festival | iii. Shravan |
| D. Gangaur | iv. Kartik |
Explanation
Rajasthani festivals are deeply rooted in the lunar calendar. The Pushkar Fair is observed in the month of Kartik. The Baneshwar Fair, known as the tribal Kumbh, occurs in the month of Magh. Teej celebrations traditionally begin in the monsoon month of Shravan. Gangaur, dedicated to Gauri and Shiva, is celebrated during Chaitra, marking the vibrant spring season.
Q4. Which of the following features is not associated with the Pushkar Fair?
Explanation
The Pushkar Fair is renowned for the Deepdan ritual, where lamps are lit and floated on the lake, and for its massive cattle and camel market. It is also home to the iconic Brahma Temple. However, the worship of a broken Shiva Linga is a specific characteristic of the Baneshwar Fair in Dungarpur, rather than the Pushkar Fair.
Q5. Consider the following statements regarding the Pushkar Fair:
I. It is internationally recognized for its camel and horse trading.
II. It features rural sports like Matka phod and moustache competitions.
III. It takes place on the banks of the Luni river.
Which of the above combinations of statements is correct?
I. It is internationally recognized for its camel and horse trading.
II. It features rural sports like Matka phod and moustache competitions.
III. It takes place on the banks of the Luni river.
Which of the above combinations of statements is correct?
Explanation
The Pushkar Fair is internationally acclaimed for the trading of camels and horses and hosts unique rural competitions like Matka Phod. While it is a major cultural event, it takes place near the sacred Pushkar Lake in the Ajmer district. The fair is not associated with the banks of the Luni river, which flows further west.
Q6. Identify the odd one out among the following fairs based on their primary categorization as a tribal congregation:
Explanation
Tribal congregations in Rajasthan are distinguished by their specific community participation. The Baneshwar Fair is renowned as the primary gathering for the Bhil tribe, earning the title of the tribal Kumbh. In contrast, the Pushkar, Nagaur, and Kolayat fairs are more general in nature, focusing on religious pilgrimage, livestock trading, and broader cultural activities rather than a specific tribal identity.
Q7. The tradition of Deepdan in Rajasthan is most prominently associated with which of the following pairs of lakes?
Explanation
The tradition of Deepdan involves lighting lamps and floating them on sacred water bodies during auspicious occasions. In Rajasthan, this ritual is most prominently associated with the Pushkar Lake in Ajmer and the Kolayat Lake in Bikaner. These acts are performed during the full moon of the month of Kartik to earn spiritual merit and offer religious tributes.
Q8. The Ramdev Cattle Fair of Nagaur is primarily famous for the trading of which specific livestock breed?
Explanation
The Ramdev Cattle Fair held in Nagaur is one of the most significant livestock events in Rajasthan. It is primarily famous for the commercial exchange of the Nagauri breed of bullocks. These animals are highly prized across northern India for their exceptional strength, speed, and endurance, making them ideal for traditional agricultural work and as draft animals in rural areas.
Q9. Identify the incorrect statement regarding the fairs held in Nagaur:
Explanation
The Nagaur fairs include the Ramdev Cattle Fair at Manaar, the Veer Tejaji Cattle Fair at Parbatsar and the Baldeo Cattle Fair near Merta. They involve cattle trading, so A is incorrect.
Q10. Given below are two statements, one labeled as
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The Nagaur Cattle Fair significantly boosts the rural economy of the Marwar region.
Reason (R): It facilitates large-scale commercial exchange of high-quality draft animals, camels, and local agrarian products.
Select the correct answer:
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The Nagaur Cattle Fair significantly boosts the rural economy of the Marwar region.
Reason (R): It facilitates large-scale commercial exchange of high-quality draft animals, camels, and local agrarian products.
Select the correct answer:
Explanation
The Nagaur Cattle Fair boosts the rural economy of Marwar by bringing large-scale trade in draft animals, camels and farm products. The reason explains the assertion.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 1 | (b) Kartik |
| 2 | (a) Religious bathing in the holy Pushkar Lake during the Purnima |
| 3 | (a) A-iv, B-i, C-iii, D-ii |
| 4 | (d) Worship rituals performed for the broken Shiva Linga |
| 5 | (c) I and II only |
| 6 | (d) Baneshwar Fair |
| 7 | (a) Pushkar and Kolayat |
| 8 | (c) Nagauri bullocks |
| 9 | (a) Exclusion of all cattle trading activities in favor of religious gatherings |
| 10 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
Key facts from Social Life: Fairs, Festivals, Customs and Attires
- The Pushkar Fair is held in the month of Kartik around Purnima, with a holy bath in Pushkar Lake.
- The Ramdev Cattle Fair of Nagaur is famous for Nagauri bullocks.
- The Baneshwar fair, a Bhil tribal fair, reaches its peak on Magh Purnima.
- The Elephant Festival of Jaipur is held on the eve of Holi; the Desert Festival is held at Jaisalmer.
- Kajli Teej is famous at Bundi; Teej heralds the monsoon.
- Mosar or Nukta is the feast held on the twelfth day after a death.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Social Life: Fairs, Festivals, Customs and Attires?
This page has 98 practice MCQs on Social Life: Fairs, Festivals, Customs and Attires (Rajasthan History, Art and Culture). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
In which month is the Pushkar Fair held?
In the Hindu month of Kartik, around the full moon. Pilgrims bathe in the holy Pushkar Lake during Purnima, and the fair is also a large cattle and camel trading event that draws visitors from across India and abroad.
Where is the Desert Festival held?
At Jaisalmer, where it is organised every year by the Rajasthan tourism department. The festival showcases folk music, dance and crafts of the desert region and is meant to promote the cultural heritage and tourism of the area.
What is Deepdan?
Deepdan is the tradition of offering lamps in water, and in Rajasthan it is most strongly associated with the lakes of Pushkar and Kolayat. Devotees float lamps in the lakes as an act of worship, especially on the full-moon night of Kartik.