Q171. Which of the following statements best describes the contribution of Peshwa Madhav Rao to the Maratha Empire?
Medieval Indian History: RAS Prelims MCQs
333 RAS Prelims practice MCQs on medieval Indian history are on this page, in 6 chapters. They cover the Delhi Sultanate, the Vijayanagar Empire and regional kingdoms, the Mughal Empire, the Marathas, medieval art, architecture, literature and music, and the Bhakti and Sufi movements. Each question has an answer and an explanation, and the formats match the exam: facts, statements, match-the-list and assertion-reason.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 171–180 of 333 questions
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Q172. Consider the following statements regarding the role of Mahadji Scindia in the post-Panipat period:
I. He reorganized his army with the help of European officers like Benoit de Boigne.
II. He escorted the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II back to Delhi in 1771 and became his protector.
III. He abolished the position of the Peshwa and declared himself the Chhatrapati.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. He reorganized his army with the help of European officers like Benoit de Boigne.
II. He escorted the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II back to Delhi in 1771 and became his protector.
III. He abolished the position of the Peshwa and declared himself the Chhatrapati.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Mahadji Scindia reorganised his army with European officers such as de Boigne and in 1771 took Shah Alam II back to Delhi. He did not abolish the Peshwa or declare himself Chhatrapati, so III is wrong.
Q173. The interference of the British in the internal succession disputes of the Marathas directly triggered the First Anglo-Maratha War. Which disputed claimant to the Peshwaship sought British help by signing the Treaty of Surat (1775)?
Explanation
Raghunath Rao (Raghoba), a claimant to the Peshwaship, signed the Treaty of Surat with the British in 1775, which led to the First Anglo-Maratha War.
Q174. During the First Anglo-Maratha War, the British forces suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of the Marathas, leading to the signing of a convention in 1779. Name the convention.
Explanation
The British were defeated at Wadgaon and signed the Convention of Wadgaon in 1779.
Q175. Match List-I (Battles of the Anglo-Maratha Wars) with List-II (Defeated Maratha Chief) and select the correct answer:
| Battles of the Anglo-Maratha Wars | Defeated Maratha Chief |
|---|---|
| A. Battle of Assaye | i. Peshwa Baji Rao II |
| B. Battle of Laswari | ii. Scindia and Bhonsle |
| C. Battle of Kirkee | iii. Holkar |
| D. Battle of Mehidpur | iv. Scindia (Northern forces) |
Explanation
Assaye was a defeat for Scindia and the Bhonsle, Laswari for Scindia’s northern forces, Kirkee for Peshwa Baji Rao II and Mehidpur for Holkar. This gives A-ii, B-iv, C-i, D-iii.
Q176. Consider the following statements regarding the Treaty of Salbai (1782):
I. It concluded the First Anglo-Maratha War.
II. It secured a mutual restitution of territories conquered since the Treaty of Purandar.
III. It granted the British the island of Salsette.
IV. It required the Marathas to accept a Subsidiary Alliance with the East India Company.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. It concluded the First Anglo-Maratha War.
II. It secured a mutual restitution of territories conquered since the Treaty of Purandar.
III. It granted the British the island of Salsette.
IV. It required the Marathas to accept a Subsidiary Alliance with the East India Company.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Treaty of Salbai of 1782 ended the First Anglo-Maratha War, restored territories taken since the Treaty of Purandar and let the British keep Salsette. It did not impose a subsidiary alliance, so IV is wrong.
Q177. The Second Anglo-Maratha War was sparked by the signing of the Treaty of Bassein in 1802. Between whom was this treaty signed?
Explanation
The Treaty of Bassein (1802) was signed between Peshwa Baji Rao II and the British under Lord Wellesley. It was a subsidiary alliance and it led to the Second Anglo-Maratha War.
Q178. What was the most critical factor that contributed to the ultimate defeat of the Marathas by the British East India Company?
Explanation
The Marathas were beaten mainly because their chiefs were divided and jealous of one another, so they could not unite against the British.
Q179. The Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817-1818) was precipitated by which immediate action of the British?
Explanation
The Third Anglo-Maratha War began with the British campaign against the Pindaris, which the Marathas saw as an infringement of their sovereignty.
Q180. Match List-I (Maratha Administrative Personnel) with List-II (Function) and select the correct answer:
| Maratha Administrative Personnel | Function |
|---|---|
| A. Kamavisdar | i. Head of provincial administration and revenue collection |
| B. Mamlatdar | ii. Local level revenue official |
| C. Fadnavis | iii. Officer in charge of the cash box / treasury |
| D. Potnis | iv. Head clerk or deputy auditor |
Explanation
A Kamavisdar was a local revenue official, a Mamlatdar headed the provincial administration and revenue, a Fadnavis was the head clerk or deputy auditor, and a Potnis was in charge of the treasury. This gives A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 171 | (b) Recovery of Maratha power and prestige within a decade of Panipat |
| 172 | (a) I and II only |
| 173 | (d) Raghunath Rao |
| 174 | (a) Convention of Wadgaon |
| 175 | (a) A-ii, B-iv, C-i, D-iii |
| 176 | (a) I, II and III |
| 177 | (a) Peshwa Baji Rao II and Lord Wellesley |
| 178 | (d) Internal divisions and mutual jealousies among the Maratha chiefs |
| 179 | (c) The military campaign against Pindaris, infringing sovereignty |
| 180 | (a) A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii |
Key facts from Medieval Indian History
- The RPSC syllabus names the Sultanate period, the political and cultural achievements of Vijayanagar, Mughal administration and policies, the Marathas, medieval art and literature, and the Bhakti and Sufi movements.
- Delhi Sultanate questions revolve around reforms: Alauddin Khalji’s market control and cash salaries, Firoz Shah Tughlaq’s public works and the Iqta system.
- Mughal and Maratha questions pair a ruler with a battle, treaty or institution, such as Panipat 1526, Khanwa 1527, Purandar 1665 and the Ashtapradhan.
- Art questions link monuments, painters and poets to their patron, for example the Buland Darwaza with Akbar and the Bani Thani with Savant Singh of Kishangarh.
- Bhakti questions test founders, philosophies and texts, such as Ramanuja’s Vishishtadvaita and Kabir’s Bijak.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Medieval Indian History?
This page has 333 practice MCQs on Medieval Indian History. Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which chapters are in the medieval Indian history set?
Six chapters: the Delhi Sultanate, the Vijayanagar Empire and regional kingdoms, the Mughal Empire (administration and policies), the Marathas, medieval art, architecture, literature and music, and the Bhakti and Sufi movements.
Is medieval history in the RAS Prelims syllabus?
Yes. RPSC includes the Sultanate period, Vijayanagar, Mughal administration and policies, the Marathas, medieval art and literature, and the Bhakti and Sufi movements in the ancient and medieval part of Indian History.
How can I revise medieval history quickly?
Make a timeline of rulers, battles and treaties for each chapter, and a table of reforms, buildings and texts against their rulers. Then attempt the chapter questions, read each explanation, and repeat the ones you missed.