RAS question
The 'Rajasthan Ratnakar' is a historical text about:
Correct answer: (C) Comprehensive history of Rajputana.
Rajasthan Ratnakar is a broad historical work on Rajputana, covering Rajput tribes and the Native States of Rajputana rather than a single dynasty, faith tradition, or state.
Explanation
Rajasthan Ratnakar should be read as a comprehensive Rajputana history. It covers the history and geography of Rajputana, and A Supplementary Catalogue of Hindi Books in the Library of the British Museum lists Ramanarayana Dugar's Rajasthan Ratnakar as a work on the early history of various Rajput tribes and the history of the Native States of Rajputana. That makes option C the only fit: the text is not confined to Mughal or Buddhist history, and it is not merely a Mewar chronicle. For RAS, the key is to recognise such regional compendiums as sources for the broader political and historical geography of Rajasthan.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Mughal history is too narrow and misplaced here because the work is identified with Rajput tribes and the Native States of Rajputana.
- (B) Buddhist history is not supported by the framing of the text around Rajputana.
- (D) Only Mewar history is too restricted because the work is described as covering Rajputana and its Native States, not just one state.
Concept
This tests source awareness in Rajasthan History, especially the identification of regional historical texts and their scope. It recurs in RAS because such works help anchor questions on Rajputana's political geography and historical traditions.