Q181. In the context of the Maratha rural economy, who were the ‘Bara Balutedars’?
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 181–190 of 333 questions
Browse Medieval Indian History chapters
Q182. Consider the following factors regarding the decline of the Maratha power:
I. The static nature of their state economy, which relied heavily on plunder and tribute.
II. The failure to develop a modern, scientific outlook and indigenous military technology.
III. The absence of a settled system of succession, leading to frequent civil wars.
IV. The widespread use of the Jagirdari (Saranjam) system undermining central authority.
V. The complete abandonment of guerrilla warfare in favor of cumbersome pitched battles.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. The static nature of their state economy, which relied heavily on plunder and tribute.
II. The failure to develop a modern, scientific outlook and indigenous military technology.
III. The absence of a settled system of succession, leading to frequent civil wars.
IV. The widespread use of the Jagirdari (Saranjam) system undermining central authority.
V. The complete abandonment of guerrilla warfare in favor of cumbersome pitched battles.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Maratha state relied on plunder and tribute, did not develop modern science or indigenous military technology, lacked a settled succession and had the Saranjam system weaken central authority. They did not abandon guerrilla warfare completely, so V is wrong.
Q183. The office of the Peshwa was finally abolished and the last Peshwa, Baji Rao II, was pensioned off to Bithur near Kanpur following which conflict?
Explanation
After the Third Anglo-Maratha War, the Peshwa’s office was abolished and Baji Rao II was pensioned off to Bithur near Kanpur.
Q184. During the reign of which Peshwa did the Maratha forces cross the Indus river and capture Attock and Peshawar in 1758?
Explanation
In 1758, under Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao, the Marathas crossed the Indus and took Attock and Peshawar.
Q185. Consider the following statements regarding the Chhatrapati’s position during the Peshwa period:
I. The Chhatrapati became a titular head confined to the palace at Satara.
II. The Peshwa took all important decisions, though formally in the name of the Chhatrapati.
III. The capital of the Maratha Empire shifted de facto from Satara to Pune.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. The Chhatrapati became a titular head confined to the palace at Satara.
II. The Peshwa took all important decisions, though formally in the name of the Chhatrapati.
III. The capital of the Maratha Empire shifted de facto from Satara to Pune.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
In the Peshwa period the Chhatrapati was only a titular head at Satara, the Peshwa took the real decisions in his name and the de facto capital moved to Pune. All three statements are correct.
Q186. The Marathas increasingly intervened in Rajputana during the 18th century. Which of the following Rajput states was forced to pay heavy tributes, leading to conflicts like the Battle of Tunga (1787) against Mahadji Scindia?
Explanation
Jaipur was forced to pay heavy tribute and fought the Marathas under Mahadji Scindia at Tunga in 1787.
Q187. Given below are two statements, one labeled as
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R). Read the statements and choose the correct option.
Assertion (A): The Maratha incursions into Rajasthan in the 18th century severely damaged the economy and stability of the Rajput states.
Reason (R): The Marathas engaged in extortionate demands for tribute (Khandani) and repeatedly interfered in the internal succession disputes of Rajputana.
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R). Read the statements and choose the correct option.
Assertion (A): The Maratha incursions into Rajasthan in the 18th century severely damaged the economy and stability of the Rajput states.
Reason (R): The Marathas engaged in extortionate demands for tribute (Khandani) and repeatedly interfered in the internal succession disputes of Rajputana.
Explanation
The Marathas demanded heavy tribute and interfered in succession disputes, which badly damaged the economy and stability of the Rajput states. R explains A.
Q188. Given below are two statements. Read the statements and choose the correct option.
Statement I: The Hurda Conference of 1734 was organized by Rajput rulers to forge a united front against Maratha expansion into Rajasthan.
Statement II: The Hurda Conference succeeded in its objective and permanently halted Maratha raids in Rajputana.
Statement I: The Hurda Conference of 1734 was organized by Rajput rulers to forge a united front against Maratha expansion into Rajasthan.
Statement II: The Hurda Conference succeeded in its objective and permanently halted Maratha raids in Rajputana.
Explanation
The Hurda Conference of 1734 was held to form a united front against the Marathas, so Statement I is correct. It did not stop Maratha raids in Rajputana, so Statement II is incorrect.
Q189. The prominent Maratha leader Nana Phadnavis was often referred to by the British as the "Maratha Machiavelli." What was his primary role during the late 18th century?
Explanation
Nana Phadnavis was a leading statesman at Pune who managed the affairs of the Confederacy. The British called him the Maratha Machiavelli.
Q190. Consider the following statements about Maratha society and administration:
I. The legal system was based largely on the ancient Smritis and customary laws.
II. Criminal justice was administered locally by the Patil, often utilizing the system of Panchayats.
III. Capital punishment was frequently used for minor offenses to maintain strict order.
IV. A special tax known as ‘Kurja-patti’ was occasionally levied during times of financial emergency.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. The legal system was based largely on the ancient Smritis and customary laws.
II. Criminal justice was administered locally by the Patil, often utilizing the system of Panchayats.
III. Capital punishment was frequently used for minor offenses to maintain strict order.
IV. A special tax known as ‘Kurja-patti’ was occasionally levied during times of financial emergency.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Maratha law rested on the Smritis and custom, the Patil and village panchayats handled local justice and a special levy called Kurja-patti was imposed in emergencies. Capital punishment was not used for minor offences, so III is wrong.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 181 | (d) Village artisans and servants providing essential services |
| 182 | (c) I, II, III and IV only |
| 183 | (c) Third Anglo-Maratha War |
| 184 | (d) Balaji Baji Rao |
| 185 | (d) I, II and III |
| 186 | (c) Jaipur |
| 187 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 188 | (a) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect. |
| 189 | (b) Leading statesman in Pune managing Confederate affairs |
| 190 | (b) I, II and IV |
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.