RAS question
In Rajasthan's dyeing-printing tradition, which centre is specifically associated with women's chunari in the cited material?
Correct answer: (A) Jodhpur.
In Rajasthan's dyeing-printing tradition, Jodhpur is the centre specifically associated with women's chunari.
Explanation
Chunari belongs to the wider bandhej or tie-dye tradition of Rajasthan. The Raj Shala Darpan Textile Design textbook explains that chunari refers to fine tie-dyed dot patterns and is also the name of the head-cloth worn by women in Rajasthan. Rajasthan's bandhej and leheriya production centres belong to this same craft geography, including Jodhpur, Udaipur, Barmer and Jaipur. Jodhpur has the specific association with women's chunari. That is why Jodhpur fits, while the other centres are tied to different craft labels in the same dyeing-printing field: Jaipur to lahariya, Barmer to ajrak, and Bagru to its own block-print tradition.
Why the other options are wrong
- (B) Jaipur is linked with lahariya, not with the specific chunari-centre pairing.
- (C) Barmer is associated with ajrak printing, which is a different craft association from women's chunari.
- (D) Bagru is known for its print tradition, especially as a block-print centre, not for the chunari association.
Concept
RAS art-and-culture mapping often requires matching textile forms with their recognised centres. Such pairings convert a broad craft tradition into a precise, exam-friendly identification.