RAS question
The 'Dhola-Maru ra Duha' is a famous Rajasthani literary work in which language/dialect?
Correct answer: (C) Rajasthani (Marwari dialect) — one of the earliest examples of Rajasthani literature.
Dhola-Maru ra Duha is a Rajasthani literary work in old Rajasthani, specifically the Marwari-linked Dingal tradition, and is not a Sanskrit, English, or Urdu text.
Explanation
Dhola-Maru ra Duha belongs to the old Rajasthani/Marwari literary stream. The question is testing recognition of the language tradition, not just the title. It is one of the finest love poems in old Rajasthani/Marwari, composed in doha, or couplet, form and centred on the love story of Dhola and Maru. Wikipedia - Rajasthani literature lists Dhola Maru Ra Duha among major works and describes it as full of the beauty of Dingal language, with the love story of Dhola and Marvani. Since Dingal is treated there within old Rajasthani literary usage, the best answer is Rajasthani, with the Marwari association noted in the option.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Sanskrit is wrong because the work is placed in the old Rajasthani/Dingal-Marwari literary stream, not in Sanskrit-only classical literature.
- (B) English is wrong because Dhola-Maru ra Duha is a traditional Rajasthani literary and folk-ballad work, not an English composition.
- (D) Urdu is wrong because the work is identified with Rajasthani/Dingal-Marwari literature, not Urdu.
Concept
This tests Rajasthan's literary heritage, especially the identification of major works with their language or dialect. RAS repeats such questions because Rajasthani culture topics often hinge on linking texts, forms such as doha, and regional literary traditions correctly.