Observe the image and answer the following question.
The picture shows a phad from Rajasthan. Who are the itinerant bards who carry and display phads?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Bhopas
Option (1) Joshis — Incorrect. The Joshis are the caste who paint the phads. They do not carry or display them.
Option (2) Bhopas — Correct. The bhopas are the itinerant bards who carry the phads and narrate the tales in night-long performances.
Option (3) Bhomias — Incorrect. Bhomias are the cattle heroes whose tales the phads illustrate, not the bards.
Option (4) Patuas — Incorrect. Patuas are the performers of the Bengal patas, settled around Midnapore, Birbhum and Bankura.
NCERT (2026-27): “Phads of Rajasthan … Illustrating the valorous tales of these bhomias, the phads, are carried by bhopas, the itinerant bards, who travel the territory, displaying them while narrating tales and singing devotional songs associated with these hero-deities in night-long storytelling performances. A lamp is held against the phad to illuminate images that are being spoken about.” “Phads of Rajasthan … Phads, however, are not painted by the bhopas. They have traditionally been painted by a caste called ‘Joshis’ who have been painters in the courts of the kings of Rajasthan.”
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