RAS question
The Khejarli massacre (1730) is associated with which community?
Correct answer: (A) Bishnoi.
The Khejarli massacre of 1730 is associated with the Bishnoi community. Under Amrita Devi's leadership, 363 members of the community gave their lives at Khejarli in Rajasthan to protect Khejri trees.
Explanation
The Khejarli massacre is remembered as a Bishnoi sacrifice for environmental protection. In 1730, 363 Bishnoi women, children and men, led by Amrita Devi and her three young daughters, gave their lives at Khejarli in Jodhpur to prevent the king's men from felling Khejri trees. NCERT's National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023 recounts this episode under the title ‘The Bishnoi’s Sacrifice’. It also records that the Maharaja of Jodhpur later apologised and prohibited tree cutting and animal hunting in Bishnoi villages. These facts make Bishnoi the only correct option.
Why the other options are wrong
- (B) Bhil is incorrect because the Khejarli sacrifice of 1730 is associated specifically with the Bishnoi community, not the Bhil community.
- (C) Garasia is incorrect because the 363 people who gave their lives at Khejarli to protect Khejri trees belonged to the Bishnoi community, not the Garasia community.
- (D) Meena is incorrect because the Khejarli sacrifice led by Amrita Devi involved Bishnoi women and men, not the Meena community.
Concept
This question tests Rajasthan's social and environmental history through an event associated with a particular community. Khejarli is important for RAS because this single episode connects local history, community tradition and environmental conservation, making it an exam-useful fact.