Art and Culture of Rajasthan Questions

The correct answer is 1-C, 2-D, 3-A, 4-B.

The below table has correctly matched the following:

​​Additional Information

• Camel Fair
  • ​Every year the famous Camel Fair is organized in Pushkar city of Rajasthan.
  • The celebration goes on for 5 long days.
  • The Fair is generally organized in October or November.
  • The special attraction of the fair is the challenging Camel Race.
  • Other famous events include tug of war between teams and also competition for the longest moustache.
  • Locally called Kartik ka Mela or Pushkar ka Mela.
  • The Fair takes place on the bank of Pushkar Lake which is also an important pilgrimage site.
• Teej Festival
  • ​Teej is a famous festival widely celebrated in Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan.
  • Teej is also celebrated in other states of India(Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Chhatisgarh, etc.).
  • Teej festival is celebrated in July or August.
  • Festival is named after insects 'Teej' and women offer food to them so they don't come out of their homes.
  • Festival celebrated by women to celebrate a happy union of marriage and fasting to pray to Lord Shiva and Parvati.
  • Women engaging in fun activities like singing, dancing, and a swing ride under the tree. 
• Desert Festival
  • ​Every year the Desert Festival is organized in Sam Sand Dunes of Jaisalmer Desert.
  • The celebration goes on for 3 long days.
  • The Festival is generally organized in February.
  • Desert festival is organized by the Rajasthan Tourism Development Authority.
  • The Festival is a complete fusion of music dance and Mr Desert competition.
• BrajHoli
  • ​Every year BrajHoli is celebrated in the Braj region of Rajasthan(Bharatpur).
  • Celebrated in March and a few days before Holi.
  • The special attraction of the festival is the Rass Leela dance by local people.
  • The dance depicts the love story of Radha-Krishna.
  • People also consume bhang and thandai as popular drinks.
  • The Festival is full of cultural activities and colourful events.

The correct answer is Molela.

• Molela is a small, nondescript village in the Rajsamand district of Rajasthan, situated on the banks of the river Banas.
  • It is famous for terracotta.
  • The distinction here lies in the terracotta plaques made here, only here all over India.

Key Points

• The small sun-soaked village of Molela is home to a vibrant community of terracotta clay artists.
• The art has evolved throughout the years but still remains popular for its intricate work.
• The villagers of Molela still use Terracotta pots and utensils for cooking food.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Neither 1 and 2.

• Jaipur and Ahmedabad are two heritage cities in UNESCO heritage sites of India.
• Rajasthan has six forts in UNESCO heritage sites of India.
• Hence the correct answer is Neither 1 and 2.

Key Points

UNESCO Heritage sites in Rajasthan

Important Points

• Six forts from Rajasthan in UNESCO heritage sites.
• Total 8 UNESCO sites and one city from Rajasthan.
• Jaipur and Ahmedabad are the only two cities in UNESCO heritage from India.
• About UNESCO
  • UNESCO is is a specialized agency of the United Nations.
  • UNESCO stands for "The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization".
  • UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France.

The correct answer is Chittor.

• Manmori inscription is the famous Rock inscription of Rajasthan.
  • It is in the Sanskrit language.
  • It gives historical facts about Raja Manbhanga.
  • Colonel James Tod once threw this inscription into the ocean.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Legs ornaments.

• Legs Ornament
  • Traditional Rajasthani leg ornaments worn by women are made up of silver or gold metal such as Anguda, Bichuae, Jhanzar, Payal, Paijeb, etc.
  • These Leg Ornaments are very popular in Rajasthan.

Key Points

• ​Anguda
  • ​The anguda is worn on the thumb of the toes.

• Bichua
  • ​The bichua is worn on the toes.

​

• Jhanzar
  • ​The bells in Jhanzar make the sound of walking.

• Payal
  • ​It is similar to paijeb.
  • It is in a solid ring shape.
  • It makes a melodious sound.
• Paijeb
  • Paijeb is a chain of silver in which small bells are tied.

Additional Information

• Head Ornaments
  • Traditional Rajasthani head ornaments worn by women are rakhdi, tika, sheeshphool, thekda, tiki, and jhela made of silver or gold on the forehead and tucked or fastened in the hair.
  • These Forehead Ornaments are very popular in Rajasthan.
  • Rakdri
    • It is a rounded and heavy ornament.
  • Tika
    • ​Tika wore on the forehead is in the shape of the medal and tied with summang which hangs down the forehead.
  • Sheeshphool
    • ​It is the ornament worn on the hair with Borla.
    • The artistic work is done on this ornament.
• Neck Ornaments
  • Hansali, Dora, Chokada, Mala, Kanthi, Terata, Madliya, Chain, Moti-ki-mala, Takhti, Savia, Champakali, etc.
• Waist Ornaments
  • Kardhani: There are small bells attached to it and it is a major ornament worn on the waist. It covers all sides.

1 and 2 only are NOT correct.

• Marwar Painting school was not the under influence of the Mughal style.
• Bikaner Painting school was under the influence of the Mughal style. Hence statement 1 and 2 are incorrect.
• The theme of the tiger hunt is very popular at Kota School. Hence statement 3 is correct. 

Key Points

• Marwar Painting
  • Not Influenced by the Mughal style.
  • The colours are bright and contrasting.
  • Black colour text in the painting on a shining yellow background.
  • Example-Saraswati Bhandar.

• Bikaner Painting
  • Influenced by the Mughal style.
  • The theme of the court scene and religion.
  • Mughal artists were given patronage by the Bikaner court.
  • Some elements of Deccan style.
  • Example- Painted scenes from the Ragmala, Bhagavata Purana, and Rasa Lila.

The correct answer is (a).

Key Points

The correct answer is Karni Mata Temple, Bikaner.

• Karni Mata Temple of Rajasthan is also known as Rat Temple.

Key Points

• Karni Mata Temple, Bikaner
  • The main deity of the temple is Karni Mata.
  • Located 30 km away from Bikaner in small-town Deshnoke, Bikaner.
  • Built in the early 20th Century by Maharaja Ganga Singh.
  • Famous for thousands of rats (approx 20-25 thousand) are believed to be holy, locally called "kabbas".
  • Offering Prasad to the holy rats and seeking white rats is very special believed to be the son of the goddess.
  • There is not any cause of disease being spread by the rats till today.

Additional Information

• Trinetra Ganesh Temple, Ranthambore:
  • The main deity of the temple is Lord Ganesh.
  • Located in Ranthambore Fort 12 Kilometre away from Sawai Madhopur.
  • Built in 1300 AD, by King Hammer.
  • The only temple in India with a full Lord Ganesha family.
  • Lord Ganesh(with three eyes), Riddhi Siddhi (his wife), two sons (Shub Labh), mouse (his vehicle).
• Eklingji Temple, Udaipur:
  • The main deity of the Eklingi temple is Lord Shiva.
  • Located 22 Kilometer away from Udaipur.
  • Built in 734 AD, by King of Udaipur Bappa Rawal.
  • Ek means 'one’ while ling means 'lingam’ and is located on the bank of Indersagar Lake.
  • Eklingji is the main deity of Mewar rulers.​
• Surya Narayan Temple, Jhalawar
  •   The main deity of the temple is Lord Surya (Padmanathji).
  • Located 30 Kilometer away from Jhalawar railway station.
  • Built-in 813 AD, by Maharaja Nagbhatta-II of the Pratihar.
  • Temple architecture style is similar to Konark sun temple.
  • This temple is also called the sun temple of Rajasthan.

The correct answer is Kumbhalgarh Fort.

• Kumbhalgarh Fort is also called the great wall of India.

Key Points

• Kumbhalgarh Fort:
  • Kumbhalgarh Fort is located in the Rajsamand district of Rajasthan.
  • Built by Rana Kumbha from the Sisodia Rajput dynasty.
  • Longwall of the 36-kilometre length makes it the great wall of India.
  • A special attraction in the fort is the Lakhola tank, Ganesh temple, Parsvanatha temple, etc.
  • Kumbhalgarh is well known as the birthplace of Maharana Pratap.

Additional Information

• Chittor Fort:
  • Chittor Fort is located in the Chittor district of Rajasthan.
  • This fort was the capital of the Mewar Kingdom.
  • Chittor Fort is the largest fort in India by area.
  • Situated on the bank of Berach river (Banas River tributary).
  • Chittor fort has a total of seven gates and the main gate named the Ram Pol.
• Ranthambore Fort:
  • Ranthambore Fort is located in the Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan.
  • Fort was held by the Chauhans until the 13th century till the Delhi Sultanate captured it.
  • Ranthambore Fort lies within the Ranthambore National Park.
  • There are three Hindu temples dedicated to Ganesha, Shiva, and Ramlalaji temple inside the fort.
  • Ranthambore is also famous for its tiger conservation park(tiger reserve of Rajasthan).
• Amer Fort:  
  • Amer Fort is located in Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan.
  • Fort originally was built by the Meenas and later it was ruled by Raja Man Singh I.
  • It consists of the Diwan-e-Aam means "Hall of general Public", the Diwan-e-Khas means "Hall of Private Officials".
  • The special point of attraction is Sheesh Mahal and the Sukh Niwas designed to get cool winds artificially.
  • Palace, along with Jaigarh Fort, is located above the Cheel ka Teela means Hill of Eagles.

​Important Points 

• Six forts of Rajasthan, namely, Chittor Fort, Kumbhalgarh Fort, Ranthambore Fort, Amer Fort, Gagron, and Jaisalmer Fort, and were listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

1 and 3 are NOT correct.

• Putul Nach is the puppetry dance of Assam not of Rajasthan.
• Kathputli is the puppetry dance of Rajasthan not of Assam.
• Hence options 1 and 3 are not correctly matched.

Key Points

• Putul Nach:
  • Putul Nach is a traditional rod puppetry of Assam.
  • Figures are dressed like Jatra.
  • Generally, three to four feet of height having three joints.
  • Performance accompanied by playing the harmonium, tabla, and cymbals.
• Kathputli:
  • Kathputli is traditional string puppetry of Rajasthan.
  • Kathputli word came from ‘Kath’ means wood and ‘Putli’ means doll.
  • Puppets are dressed in the traditional Rajasthani dress.
  • The unique feature of puppets is they don’t have legs.

Additional Information

• Gombeyatta:
  • Gombeyatta is the traditional string puppetry of Karnataka.
  • Puppets are designed on Yakshagana character.
  • The unique feature is the use of more than one puppeteer to control puppets.
  • Yakshagana is the traditional theatre of Karnataka.
• Bommalattam:
  • Bommalattam is the traditional string puppetry of Tamil Nadu.
  • It is a combination of rod and string puppetry.
  • Bommalattam puppets are the largest and heaviest.
  • Around 4.5 feet in height and 10 kg in weight.