Q81. Identify the correct statement regarding traditional women’s attire in Rajasthan:
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 81–90 of 98 questions
Q82. The famous traditional ‘80 Kali ka Ghagra’ signifies a skirt that:
Explanation
The famous traditional ‘80 Kali ka Ghagra’ refers to a voluminous skirt made of eighty vertical panels, or ‘kalis’. These panels are stitched together to create an extraordinary flare and weight, which is a hallmark of traditional Rajasthani craftsmanship. Such a garment is highly valued for its aesthetic appeal and the skill required to maintain its symmetry and movement during folk dances.
Q83. Which of the following is an exception and NOT a part of the traditional attire of women in Rajasthan?
Explanation
Traditional women’s attire in Rajasthan typically consists of three main components: the Kanchali (bodice), the Ghagra (skirt), and the Odhni (veil). While the Angrakhi is a central piece of traditional Rajasthani clothing, it is historically and primarily a garment worn by men. It serves as an upper garment similar to a tunic or jacket, whereas women’s upper garments are the Kanchali and Kurti.
Q84. The preference for deep, vibrant colors and extensive mirror work in the traditional attire of women in the Thar desert region is a conceptual adaptation to:
Explanation
The use of vibrant colors and mirror work in desert attire is a practical adaptation to the Thar environment. These bright hues provide a sharp contrast to the monochromatic landscape of yellow sand, making individuals more visible from a distance. Mirror work also helps reflect light, which can be useful for visibility and signaling during sandstorms, blending aesthetic preferences with functional survival needs.
Q85. Consider the following traditional ornaments and their corresponding body parts:
I. Borla - Head
II. Aad - Neck
III. Bajuband - Arm
IV. Payal - Foot
Which of the above combination of ornaments and body parts is correct?
I. Borla - Head
II. Aad - Neck
III. Bajuband - Arm
IV. Payal - Foot
Which of the above combination of ornaments and body parts is correct?
Explanation
Traditional Rajasthani jewelry includes specific ornaments for every part of the body. The Borla is a bell-shaped ornament worn on the head or forehead. The Aad is a heavy necklace worn around the neck. The Bajuband is an armlet worn on the upper arm, and Payal (or Pajeb) are anklets worn on the feet. Together, these ornaments complete the traditional decorative attire for women.
Q86. Which of the following pairs is correctly matched regarding head/forehead ornaments worn by Rajasthani women?
Explanation
Traditional head and forehead ornaments serve as vital cultural markers for women in Rajasthan. The Rakhdi is a prominent ornament worn on the forehead, often signifying marital status. In contrast, other ornaments like the Tika are also for the forehead, while items like Surliya are for the ears and Chup is associated with the teeth, reflecting the state’s diverse decorative practices.
Q87. In the traditional jewelry of Rajasthan, the ‘Aad’ is predominantly a heavy ornament worn around the:
Explanation
In the traditional jewelry of Rajasthan, the ‘Aad’ is a prominent and heavy ornament worn exclusively around the neck. It is a large, rectangular or square-shaped choker, often made of gold and studded with precious stones. The Aad is considered a hallmark of Rajput jewelry and is traditionally worn by brides and married women during weddings and other significant festive occasions.
Q88. Identify the incorrect statement regarding the ‘Nath’:
Explanation
The ‘Nath’ is a traditional nose ring that holds significant cultural value in Rajasthan. It is often elaborately designed and studded with stones, serving as a symbol of marital status in many communities. However, the claim that it is worn on the toes is incorrect. Toe rings are a separate type of ornament known as ‘Bichhiya’, which are also symbolic of marriage.
Q89. The ‘Bajuband’ or ‘Baju’ is an ornament traditionally worn on which part of the body?
Explanation
The ‘Bajuband’ or ‘Baju’ is a traditional ornament worn on the upper arm by women in Rajasthan. These armlets are often made of gold or silver and can be intricately designed with enamel work or precious stones. They are typically worn in pairs and are an essential part of the formal decorative attire used during weddings, festivals, and other major social ceremonies.
Q90. The traditional practice of married women wearing silver ‘Bichhiya’ (toe rings) and ‘Payal’ is often explained in local customs through the concept of:
Explanation
Beyond their aesthetic value, traditional ornaments like the silver ‘Bichhiya’ (toe rings) are often believed to have health benefits. In local customs, it is thought that wearing toe rings on the second toe applies pressure to certain nerves. This pressure is believed to regulate the menstrual cycle and improve reproductive health, illustrating how traditional practices often blend biological beliefs with cultural ornamentation.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 81 | (d) The ‘Tarabhant ki Odhni’ is highly popular among tribal Adivasi women |
| 82 | (c) A skirt stitched using 80 vertical panels for flare and volume |
| 83 | (b) Angrakhi |
| 84 | (a) To counteract visual monotony and increase visibility in sandstorms |
| 85 | (c) I, II, III, and IV |
| 86 | (a) Rakhdi - Forehead |
| 87 | (d) Neck |
| 88 | (b) It is typically worn on the toes by unmarried girls. |
| 89 | (c) Upper arm |
| 90 | (d) Acupressure effects on nerves connected to the reproductive system |
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.