Q11. The economic significance of cattle fairs like Nagaur in traditional Rajasthani society is best described as:
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 11–20 of 98 questions
Q12. Consider the following statements regarding the cattle fairs of Nagaur:
I. The fairs are organized by the Department of Animal Husbandry, Rajasthan.
II. Sufi saint Hamiduddin Nagauri’s Urs coincides with the agrarian identity of the region.
III. Nagauri cattle traded here are prized for their high milk yield.
IV. Mirchi Bazaar (Red Chilli market) is a major attraction of the Nagaur fair.
Which of the above combinations of statements is incorrect?
I. The fairs are organized by the Department of Animal Husbandry, Rajasthan.
II. Sufi saint Hamiduddin Nagauri’s Urs coincides with the agrarian identity of the region.
III. Nagauri cattle traded here are prized for their high milk yield.
IV. Mirchi Bazaar (Red Chilli market) is a major attraction of the Nagaur fair.
Which of the above combinations of statements is incorrect?
Explanation
The Nagaur fairs are run by the Animal Husbandry Department, coincide with the Urs of Hamiduddin Nagauri and have a red chilli market. Nagauri cattle are prized as draft animals and not for high milk yield, so III is incorrect.
Q13. The Baneshwar fair is most appropriately described as a cultural manifestation of which of the following?
Explanation
The Baneshwar Fair is the most significant cultural manifestation for the Bhil community of southern Rajasthan. It reflects their syncretic religious traditions, merging the worship of Lord Shiva with the teachings of local saints like Sant Mavji. The fair serves as a vital platform for asserting social identity, performing rituals for ancestors, and strengthening the communal bonds of the tribe.
Q14. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
| Rivers associated with Baneshwar | Their characteristics |
|---|---|
| A. Mahi | i. Originates in the hills of Chhoti Sadri |
| B. Som | ii. Originates in the hills of Bichhameda |
| C. Jakham | iii. Flows through the Thar Desert |
| D. Luni | iv. Crosses the Tropic of Cancer twice |
Explanation
The rivers associated with the Baneshwar Fair have distinct geographical features. The Mahi River is famous for crossing the Tropic of Cancer twice. The Som River originates in the hills of Bichhameda, while the Jakham starts in the hills of Chhoti Sadri. In contrast, the Luni River is the primary water body flowing through the vast Thar Desert region.
Q15. Consider the following statements about the Baneshwar Fair:
I. It is held on the full moon day of the Magh month.
II. It is influenced by the teachings of Sant Mavji.
III. It predominantly features the Garba dance of Gujarat.
Which of the above combinations of statements is correct?
I. It is held on the full moon day of the Magh month.
II. It is influenced by the teachings of Sant Mavji.
III. It predominantly features the Garba dance of Gujarat.
Which of the above combinations of statements is correct?
Explanation
The Baneshwar Fair reaches its peak on the full moon day of Magh and is deeply influenced by the spiritual teachings of Sant Mavji. While the fair features various folk performances, it is primarily characterized by tribal songs and local dances rather than the Garba of Gujarat. The event serves as a religious and ancestral ritual hub for the Bhils.
Q16. The Baneshwar Fair reaches its peak cultural and religious activity on which specific day?
Explanation
The Baneshwar Fair is held annually in the Dungarpur district at the confluence of the Mahi, Som, and Jakham rivers. While the festivities last for several days, the event reaches its cultural and religious peak on Magh Purnima, the full moon day of the Hindu month of Magh. On this day, the largest number of pilgrims gather for rituals.
Q17. Given below are two statements, one labeled as
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The Baneshwar Fair is deeply associated with the Kalki avatar of Lord Vishnu.
Reason (R): Sant Mavji, whose teachings are central to the fair’s followers, is revered locally as an incarnation of Kalki.
Select the correct answer:
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The Baneshwar Fair is deeply associated with the Kalki avatar of Lord Vishnu.
Reason (R): Sant Mavji, whose teachings are central to the fair’s followers, is revered locally as an incarnation of Kalki.
Select the correct answer:
Explanation
The Baneshwar Fair is deeply linked to the teachings of Sant Mavji, who is revered by local tribal communities as an incarnation of the Kalki avatar. Because his religious influence is central to the devotees participating in the congregation, the fair itself carries strong associations with this specific manifestation of Lord Vishnu within the regional folk tradition and beliefs.
Q18. Identify the correct statement regarding the Baneshwar tribal fair:
Explanation
One of the most important religious rituals at the Baneshwar Fair is the immersion of the ashes of the deceased. Tribal devotees, particularly the Bhils, travel to the holy confluence of the Mahi, Som, and Jakham rivers to perform these final rites for their ancestors. This practice underscores the fair’s role as a site for spiritual salvation and communal remembrance.
Q19. The Desert Festival is an annual cultural extravaganza hosted in which city of Rajasthan?
Explanation
The Desert Festival is a premier cultural extravaganza hosted annually in the golden city of Jaisalmer. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Thar Desert and the Jaisalmer Fort, the festival showcases the vibrant heritage of Rajasthan. It features various folk performances, camel races, and traditional competitions, attracting a large number of domestic and international tourists to the region.
Q20. The primary objective of organizing festivals like the Desert Festival and the Elephant Festival by the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation is:
Explanation
The Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation organizes festivals like the Desert Festival and the Elephant Festival with the primary goal of promoting regional tourism. By showcasing the state’s rich cultural heritage, folk arts, and unique traditions, these events attract domestic and international visitors. This strategy helps integrate traditional cultural expressions into the modern economy, boosting local livelihoods and cultural preservation.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 11 | (b) A structured market for the purchase and sale of agricultural draft animals |
| 12 | (c) III only |
| 13 | (d) The syncretic religious traditions and social identity of the Bhil community |
| 14 | (a) A-iv, B-ii, C-i, D-iii |
| 15 | (c) I and II only |
| 16 | (a) Magh Purnima |
| 17 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 18 | (b) Ashes of the deceased are immersed in the holy confluence by the tribal devotees. |
| 19 | (c) Jaisalmer |
| 20 | (a) Showcasing the rich cultural heritage and boosting regional tourism |
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.