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.
Showing 91–98 of 98 questions
Explanation
Rajasthan possesses a unique variety of ornaments for almost every part of the human body. Chup and Rakhana are specific types of jewelry worn on the teeth. These involve the insertion of gold or silver studs or plates into the teeth, serving as both a decorative element and a traditional marker of beauty or status within certain regional and tribal communities in the state.Explanation
Various traditional ornaments are specifically designed for the lower body. Nevari, Hirnamain, and Awla are all types of jewelry worn on the feet or ankles by women in Rajasthan. In contrast, the ‘Tagdi’ is an exception as it is worn around the waist. It is a chain or belt-like ornament, often made of silver, that rests on the hips and secures the Ghagra.I. The Sharda Act of 1929 was a pioneering step to curb the practice of child marriage.
II. The Walterkrit Rajput Hitkarini Sabha worked towards regulating marriage expenses and promoting education among Rajputs.
III. The Rajasthan Prevention of Mrityu Bhoj Act was passed to stop the financially ruinous custom of death feasts.
IV. Desh Hiteshini Sabha was established in Mewar to combat social evils like dowry.
V. The Sati (Prevention) Act was promulgated by the Rajasthan Government in 1987.
Which of the above combinations of statements is correct?
Explanation
Rajasthan’s history includes significant efforts to address social issues through legislation and community action. The Sharda Act targeted child marriage, while the Walterkrit and Desh Hiteshini Sabhas worked to reduce marriage expenses and dowry. Modern laws like the Prevention of Mrityu Bhoj Act and the Sati Prevention Act continue this reformist tradition, aiming to modernize society and protect vulnerable individuals in the community.Explanation
The Walterkrit Rajput Hitkarini Sabha was a significant social reform body established in the late 19th century. Its primary objective was to regulate the social customs of the Rajput community. The committee worked to set limits on extravagant marriage expenditures and to actively discourage the practice of child marriage, aiming to alleviate the financial and social burdens faced by Rajput families.Explanation
The ‘Sharda Act’ of 1929, which was a pioneering legislation for child marriage prevention in India, was drafted by the social reformer Har Bilas Sarda. He was a prominent resident of Ajmer. His efforts from this city played a vital role in initiating legal reforms that established a minimum age for marriage, addressing a critical social issue that affected millions of families across the country.Explanation
The decline of traditional but controversial customs like ‘Nata Pratha’ and ‘Mrityu Bhoj’ in contemporary Rajasthan is primarily a result of socio-economic progress. Increased rural literacy, the influence of modernization, and greater legal awareness have empowered communities to move away from financially ruinous or socially restrictive practices. These changes reflect a broader transition toward a more informed and modern rural society within the state.Explanation
Established in 1877 under the patronage of Maharana Sajjan Singh of Mewar, the Desh Hiteshini Sabha was one of the earliest social reform organizations in Rajasthan.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 91 | (a) Surliya |
| 92 | (b) Teeth |
| 93 | (a) Tagdi |
| 94 | (c) I, II, III, IV, and V |
| 95 | (d) A reform committee used to curb expenses and child marriage. |
| 96 | (c) Ajmer |
| 97 | (b) Increased rural literacy, modernization, and legal awareness |
| 98 | (d) Mewar (Udaipur) |
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.