U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2010

Heroic Poetry of Northern India

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Which one of the following pairs of folkdance forms and States is not correctly matched?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: A

Concept Rajput literature, often called 'Raso' literature, consists of heroic ballads and biographies of kings written in Rajasthani and Brajbhasha dialects.

Explanation Hammir Raso is a celebrated biography of Hammiradeva (Chauhan ruler of Ranthambore) authored by Jodharaja. Abdur Rehman is associated with 'Sandesh Rasak'.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Option A is mismatched. Abdur Rehman wrote the first secular work in Apabhramsa, but the Hammir Raso belongs to the courtly heroic tradition of Jodharaja.
Logic 2: Chand Bardai (Option B) is famously the author of Prithvi Raj Raso, the epic of Prithviraj Chauhan.
Logic 3: Jagnik (Option C) wrote Alha-Khand, celebrating the heroes Alha and Udal.
Logic 4: Narpati Nalh (Option D) authored Bisaldev Raso, focusing on the romantic sentiment (Shringar Ras).

Active Recall

Question

What is the common theme of 'Raso' literature?

Answer

It primarily focuses on 'Veer Rasa' (heroic sentiment) and 'Shringar Rasa' (romantic sentiment) involving Rajput kings.

Core Insight

Raso literature serves as a crucial bridge between early historical records and the folk oral traditions of North India.