1996 General Studies, all questions

UPSC Prelims 1996 · General Studies

Question 5: History and Culture

Prem Vatika, poems on the life of Krishna, was composed by

aBihari
bSurdas
cRaskhan
dKabir

AnswerThe answer is (c).

Prem Vatika, poems on Krishna's life and devotion to him, was composed by Raskhan, a sixteenth-century poet born Sayyid Ibrahim who became a devotee of Krishna. Bihari is known for the Satsai, Surdas for the Sursagar, and Kabir for the verses collected in the Bijak. Remember: Raskhan - Prem Vatika.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Bihari wrote the Satsai, a work of couplets, not Prem Vatika.
  • (b) Surdas is known for the Sursagar on Krishna's life, not Prem Vatika.
  • (c) Right: Raskhan, a Krishna devotee of Muslim birth, wrote Prem Vatika.
  • (d) Kabir's verses are collected in the Bijak and speak of a formless God.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1996, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.