RAS question
Rana Kumbha's court was graced by which of these scholars?
Correct answer: (D) Kavi Atri and Mandan.
Rana Kumbha's court was graced by Kavi Atri and Mandan.
Explanation
Rana Kumbha's court is remembered for scholars and artists rather than only for military achievement. Sarthaks eConnect says Kumbha's court included Mandan, described as a known sculptor, and Atri and Mahesh, described as poets. This directly supports option D: Kavi Atri and Mandan. Kavi Atri began the Kumbhalgarh Prasashti, while Mandan was an architect who wrote Raj Vallabha and Prasad Mandan on architecture. Rana Kumbha himself is also presented as a musician-saint and learned ruler, which is why his court culture is a recurring RAS theme.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Tulsidas and Surdas do not fit Rana Kumbha's court because they are placed in different courts, not among Kumbha's courtiers.
- (B) Abul Fazl is wrong because he belonged to Akbar's court, not to the court of Rana Kumbha.
- (C) Chand Bardai is wrong because he is associated with Prithviraj's court in the 12th century, not with Rana Kumbha's court.
Concept
This tests Rajasthan History, Art and Culture through the cultural profile of Mewar under Rana Kumbha. RAS often asks such court-and-patronage links because they connect rulers with literature, architecture and inscriptions.