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 51–60 of 98 questions
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Social Life: Fairs, Festivals, Customs and Attires
Q51. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Marriage Rituals in Rajasthan
Meaning/Action
A. Bindoli
i. The reception of the groom’s procession by the bride’s side
B. Toran marna
ii. The groom striking the wooden emblem at the bride’s door
C. Samela
iii. The procession of the bride or groom in their respective areas before marriage
D. Kanyadaan
iv. The formal giving away of the bride by her parents
Explanation
Rajasthani weddings involve several distinct rituals. Bindoli refers to the pre-wedding procession of the bride or groom. Toran marna is the symbolic act of the groom striking a wooden emblem at the bride’s door. Samela is the formal reception of the groom’s procession by the bride’s family. Kanyadaan marks the final ritual where the parents formally give away the bride to her new family.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Social Life: Fairs, Festivals, Customs and Attires
Q52. In the context of death rituals in Rajasthan, the term ‘Mosar’ or ‘Nukta’ is defined as:
Explanation
In the context of death rituals in Rajasthan, ‘Mosar’ or ‘Nukta’ refers to a grand communal feast organized on the twelfth day after a person’s passing. This ritual traditionally marks the end of the formal mourning period. While it is a significant social obligation in many rural areas, it has also been a subject of reform due to the financial burden it places on families.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Social Life: Fairs, Festivals, Customs and Attires
Q53. Given below are two statements, one labeled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R): Assertion (A): The Rajasthan government enacted the Prevention of Mrityu Bhoj Act in 1960. Reason (R): The tradition of Mosar (death feast) placed a severe financial burden on poor families, often pushing them into lifelong debt. Select the correct answer:
Explanation
The Rajasthan government passed the Prevention of Mrityu Bhoj Act in 1960 to address a debilitating social custom. The tradition of organizing grand feasts after a death often forced poor families into severe financial distress and lifelong debt. By legally discouraging this practice, the state aimed to protect vulnerable citizens from economic exploitation while promoting more sustainable social and familial customs within the state.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Social Life: Fairs, Festivals, Customs and Attires
Q54. Identify the correct statement regarding the ‘Jadula’ or ‘Mundan’ ceremony in Rajasthan:
Explanation
The ‘Jadula’ or ‘Mundan’ ceremony is an important childhood ritual in Rajasthan. It involves the first shaving of a child’s hair, which is believed to remove impurities from birth. This ceremony is typically performed at a sacred temple dedicated to a family deity (Kuldevi or Kuldevta). It is a significant family event that marks a child’s transition and spiritual well-being in the community.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Social Life: Fairs, Festivals, Customs and Attires
Q55. In the social fabric of rural Rajasthan, the custom of ‘Nata Pratha’ historically allowed:
Explanation
In the social fabric of rural Rajasthan, the custom of ‘Nata Pratha’ historically provided a degree of flexibility in domestic arrangements. It allowed a man and a woman to live together without the performance of formal wedding rituals. This custom was often used in cases of remarriage or when previous marital bonds were broken, providing a socially recognized way for individuals to form new partnerships.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Social Life: Fairs, Festivals, Customs and Attires
Q56. Which of the following is an exception and NOT categorized as a pre-birth ritual (Garbhastha Sanskar) in traditional Hindu customs?
Explanation
Pre-birth rituals, or Garbhastha Sanskars, are performed to ensure the health and spiritual well-being of the mother and the unborn child. These include Garbhadhan (conception), Pumsavan (promoting healthy development), and Simantonnayan (protecting the mother). In contrast, Vidyarambha is a childhood ritual that marks the beginning of a child’s formal education, occurring several years after birth and the early life-cycle ceremonies.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Social Life: Fairs, Festivals, Customs and Attires
Q57. The modern distortion of traditional ‘Kanyadaan’ and ‘Dahej’ (gifts of affection to the bride) into a coercive financial demand by the groom’s family is a conceptual example of:
Explanation
The transformation of traditional customs into coercive financial demands illustrates the commodification of marriage. While Kanyadaan and Dahej were originally intended as voluntary gifts of affection, they have often evolved into the modern dowry system. This shift reflects broader social changes where marital alliances are treated as economic transactions, highlighting the negative impact of commercializing sacred rituals within the community and broader society.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Social Life: Fairs, Festivals, Customs and Attires
Q58. Consider the following statements about the historical Sati tradition in Rajasthan: I. It involved a widow immolating herself on her husband’s funeral pyre. II. It was viewed in medieval Rajput society as the ultimate act of wifely devotion and honor. III. It was legally protected and encouraged by the British East India Company throughout their rule. Which of the above combinations of statements is correct?
Explanation
The Sati tradition involved a widow immolating herself on her husband’s funeral pyre and was historically viewed in medieval Rajput society as a supreme act of wifely devotion and honor. However, the claim that it was protected by the British is incorrect. The British East India Company, influenced by social reformers, officially banned the practice of Sati across India through legislation in 1829.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Social Life: Fairs, Festivals, Customs and Attires
Q59. Consider the following statements: Statement I: The Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987 only penalizes the act of attempting Sati, leaving the glorification of Sati unpunished. Statement II: The Act was promulgated following the Deorala incident to strictly criminalize both the execution and the glorification of the Sati practice. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act was enacted in 1987 following the widespread outcry over the incident in Deorala. Contrary to being limited, the legislation provides stringent penalties not only for the attempt to commit Sati but also for its glorification in any form. It effectively criminalizes the entire practice to protect women’s rights and uphold human dignity within the legal framework of India.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Social Life: Fairs, Festivals, Customs and Attires
Q60. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Mataji/Sati Temples
Location
A. Rani Sati Temple
i. Deshnoke
B. Narayani Mata Temple
ii. Jhunjhunu
C. Sacchiya Mata Temple
iii. Alwar
D. Karni Mata Temple
iv. Osian
Explanation
Various prominent temples in Rajasthan are associated with specific historical and spiritual figures. The Rani Sati Temple is located in Jhunjhunu. The Narayani Mata Temple is situated in Alwar. The Sacchiya Mata Temple is an iconic structure in Osian. Meanwhile, the world-famous Karni Mata Temple, known for its sacred rats, is located in Deshnoke, serving as a major center for devotees.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
51
(a) A-iii, B-ii, C-i, D-iv
52
(a) A grand feast organized on the 12th day following a person’s death
53
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
54
(c) The first shaving of a child’s head, typically done before a deity
55
(b) Allowing a woman to live with another man without formal marriage
56
(d) Vidyarambha
57
(a) The commodification of marriage customs leading to the dowry system
58
(c) I and II only
59
(d) Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct
60
(a) A-ii, B-iii, C-iv, D-i
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.
