U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2004

Rajput Art and Devotion

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

The poet heart King, who wrote praising verses for Lord Krishna under the name of Nagri Das was-

Solution & Analysis

Answer: D

Concept The Kishangarh school of painting and literature represents a peak of the Bhakti influence on Rajput royalty, where rulers abandoned thrones for spiritual pursuit.

Explanation Raja Sawant Singh of Kishangarh (Rajasthan) was a devout Vaishnava who wrote poetry under the pseudonym Nagri Das. His love for Lord Krishna and his court singer Bani Thani inspired a unique style of painting.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: His verses focus on the divine love between Radha and Krishna.
Logic 2: He eventually abdicated his throne to live a life of penance in Vrindavan.
Legacy: The famous painting 'Bani Thani' is often described as the 'Mona Lisa of India' and reflects the aesthetic ideals of Nagri Das.

Active Recall

Question

What is the pseudonym used by Raja Sawant Singh?

Answer

He used the name 'Nagri Das' for his devotional poetic works.

Core Insight

Nagri Das’s life exemplifies the 'Poet-Prince' archetype, where aesthetic beauty and religious fervor became indistinguishable.