RAS question
The famous Dilwara Jain Temples at Mount Abu fall in which former princely state?
Correct answer: (B) Sirohi.
The famous Dilwara Jain Temples at Mount Abu belonged to the former princely state of Sirohi.
Explanation
The answer is Sirohi. The Dilwara Jain Temples at Mount Abu were situated in the former princely state of Sirohi. Rajasthan Foundation's account of Rajasthan's integration lists Sirohi as a separate former princely state. It records that on 26 January 1950, Sirohi merged with the 18 princely states of Greater Rajasthan, and that in 1956 Abu Road taluka was treated as having formerly been part of Sirohi State. This shows that at the time, Mount Abu and Dilwara were associated with Sirohi, not Mewar, Marwar or Dungarpur. Dating from the 11th to the 13th century, these Jain temples are famous for their white marble and intricate carving. In RAS, questions like this require you to consider which former princely state a famous monument belonged to, alongside its architecture.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Mewar was a separate former princely state; the Dilwara Jain Temples belonged to the former princely state of Sirohi.
- (C) Marwar is incorrect because the Dilwara Jain Temples at Mount Abu belonged to the former princely state of Sirohi.
- (D) Dungarpur is incorrect because the Dilwara Jain Temples belonged to the former princely state of Sirohi.
Concept
This question tests whether you can match a famous Rajasthan monument with its former princely state. Such RAS questions connect art and culture with Rajasthan's political history and geography, rather than focusing only on architecture or patronage.