RAS question
Which Bhil leader of Rajasthan is known as the 'Gandhi of the Vagad'?
Correct answer: (A) Bhogilal Pandya.
Bhogilal Pandya is known as the Gandhi of Vagad for his work among the tribal communities of the Dungarpur-Banswara region.
Explanation
Bhogilal Pandya is the Bhil-linked public leader identified with the title Gandhi of Vagad. He was based in Dungarpur, Rajasthan, and worked for education and the rights of poor and underprivileged people, especially tribal Bhils. Mohanlal Sukhadia University's Folklore of Vagad directly supports the title, describing Bhogilal Pandya as Vagad ka Gandhi, stating that he lived in Simalwada, founded Dungarpur Praja Mandal and Seva Mandir, and worked for the upliftment of Vagad's tribal communities while involving them in India's freedom struggle. That combination of regional identity, tribal mobilisation, and freedom-movement work is why the title belongs to Bhogilal Pandya, not to another Rajasthan reformer.
Why the other options are wrong
- (B) Govind Giri was a major social and religious reformer among the Bhils, but he is not associated with the title Gandhi of Vagad.
- (C) Manikyalal Verma is linked in the question data with Mewar Praja Mandal, whereas the title Gandhi of Vagad is tied to Bhogilal Pandya and the Dungarpur-Vagad setting.
- (D) Motilal Tejawat is identified as the Gandhi of Mewar, so choosing him confuses Mewar with Vagad.
Concept
This tests Rajasthan's regional freedom-struggle and tribal-awakening history, especially how leaders are remembered through local honorifics. RAS repeats such facts because titles like Gandhi of Vagad connect personalities, regions and movements in one recall unit.