RAS question
Bandhni (Bandhej) tie-dye is specialty of which cities?
Correct answer: (C) Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur.
Bandhni, also called Bandhej, is the tie-and-dye textile speciality of Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur.
Explanation
Bandhni or Bandhej is a Rajasthan textile tradition in which tiny knots are tied in cloth before dyeing. The tied portions resist the colour and form the characteristic dotted pattern when opened. In Rajasthan's craft-to-centre mapping, this textile speciality is associated with Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur. Jaipur's Chipa Mohalla and Jodhpur are also recognised in connection with this tradition. Therefore, the Jaipur-Jodhpur-Udaipur group is correct, while the Kota-Bundi, Ajmer-Pushkar and Bikaner-Barmer groups do not match this craft-centre combination.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Kota is associated with Doria rather than Bandhni, so the Kota-Bundi pair does not match the Bandhej craft-centre group of Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur.
- (B) Ajmer and Pushkar are not included in this Bandhni or Bandhej city group, which consists of Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur.
- (D) Bikaner and Barmer are not part of the Jaipur-Jodhpur-Udaipur city group associated with Bandhni or Bandhej.
Concept
Rajasthan's art-and-culture questions often test the matching of textile crafts with their recognised centres. Bandhni or Bandhej is a traditional dyeing technique, so remembering its association with Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur helps distinguish it from other regional textile traditions.