Q191. The highest judicial authority in the Maratha administration, beneath the Chhatrapati or the Peshwa, was the Chief Justice. What was this official called in the Ashtapradhan?
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 191–200 of 333 questions
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Q192. Which of the following regions was never permanently incorporated into the Maratha Empire during their peak expansion in the 18th century?
Explanation
Malwa, Gujarat and Bundelkhand came under Maratha control. Awadh was never permanently incorporated into the Maratha Empire.
Q193. Match List-I (Maratha Rulers/Figures) with
List-II (Key Event/Association) and select the correct answer:
List I: (Maratha Rulers/Figures)
A. Ahilyabai Holkar
B. Raghunath Rao
C. Vishwasrao
D. Shahji Bhonsle
List II: (Key Event/Association)
i. Sought British help leading to First Anglo- Maratha War
ii. Killed at the Third Battle of Panipat
iii. Served the Adil Shahi and Nizam Shahi courts
iv. Renowned for exemplary administration of Malwa
List-II (Key Event/Association) and select the correct answer:
List I: (Maratha Rulers/Figures)
A. Ahilyabai Holkar
B. Raghunath Rao
C. Vishwasrao
D. Shahji Bhonsle
List II: (Key Event/Association)
i. Sought British help leading to First Anglo- Maratha War
ii. Killed at the Third Battle of Panipat
iii. Served the Adil Shahi and Nizam Shahi courts
iv. Renowned for exemplary administration of Malwa
Explanation
Ahilyabai Holkar is known for her rule of Malwa, Raghunath Rao for seeking British help, Vishwasrao for dying at Panipat and Shahji Bhonsle for serving the Adil Shahi and Nizam Shahi courts. This gives A-iv, B-i, C-ii, D-iii.
Q194. The Maratha military machine suffered from several weaknesses towards the end of the 18th century. Which of the following was NOT one of those weaknesses?
Explanation
The Marathas relied on European mercenaries, neglected light cavalry and lacked supply lines, so they plundered. They did not disband their infantry in favour of a naval force, so B was not a weakness.
Q195. Which of the following represents the correct chronological order of the major Anglo-Maratha Treaties?
Explanation
The Treaty of Surat was signed in 1775, the Treaty of Purandar with the British in 1776, the Treaty of Salbai in 1782 and the Treaty of Bassein in 1802. That is the correct order.
Q196. Consider the following statements about Maratha interaction with other powers:
I. The Marathas collected Chauth from the Portuguese in parts of the Konkan.
II. The Marathas defeated the Siddis of Janjira and completely eradicated their naval presence.
III. Baji Rao I successfully captured Bassein from the Portuguese in 1739.
IV. The Marathas engaged in a long-standing rivalry with the Nizam of Hyderabad for dominance in the Deccan.
V. Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan of Mysore were frequently in conflict with the Marathas.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. The Marathas collected Chauth from the Portuguese in parts of the Konkan.
II. The Marathas defeated the Siddis of Janjira and completely eradicated their naval presence.
III. Baji Rao I successfully captured Bassein from the Portuguese in 1739.
IV. The Marathas engaged in a long-standing rivalry with the Nizam of Hyderabad for dominance in the Deccan.
V. Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan of Mysore were frequently in conflict with the Marathas.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Marathas collected Chauth from the Portuguese in the Konkan, the Marathas took Bassein from the Portuguese in 1739, the Nizam was a long-time rival and Haidar Ali and Tipu often fought them. They did not eradicate the Siddis of Janjira, so II is wrong.
Q197. In Maratha administrative terms, the ‘Chauthai’ refers to one-fourth of the revenue. Within the Chauth collected, a 25 percent share was reserved for the Chhatrapati. What was this specific share called?
Explanation
The share of Chauth set aside for the Chhatrapati was called Babti.
Q198. Match List-I (Mughal/Afghan General) with
List-II (Associated Event in Maratha History) and select the correct answer:
List I: (Mughal/Afghan General)
A. Shaista Khan
B. Afzal Khan
C. Jai Singh
D. Ahmad Shah Abdali
List II: (Associated Event in Maratha History)
i. Battle of Pratapgad
ii. Night attack at Pune
iii. Third Battle of Panipat
iv. Treaty of Purandar
List-II (Associated Event in Maratha History) and select the correct answer:
List I: (Mughal/Afghan General)
A. Shaista Khan
B. Afzal Khan
C. Jai Singh
D. Ahmad Shah Abdali
List II: (Associated Event in Maratha History)
i. Battle of Pratapgad
ii. Night attack at Pune
iii. Third Battle of Panipat
iv. Treaty of Purandar
Explanation
Shaista Khan was attacked in a night raid at Pune, Afzal Khan was killed at Pratapgad, Jai Singh is linked with the Treaty of Purandar and Ahmad Shah Abdali with the Third Battle of Panipat. This gives A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii.
Q199. Which of the following pairs related to Maratha revenue administration is incorrectly matched?
Explanation
Chauth was a tribute paid to avoid attack, Sardeshmukhi was an extra ten per cent levy and the Mirasdar was a peasant with hereditary rights. The Deshmukh was a hereditary local revenue officer, not an appointee of the Peshwa for crown lands, so B is incorrect.
Q200. Which British Governor-General pursued a policy of aggressive expansion that culminated in the definitive destruction of the Maratha Confederacy in 1818?
Explanation
Lord Hastings, as Governor-General, pursued the policy that ended the Maratha Confederacy in the war of 1817-18.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 191 | (c) Nyayadhish |
| 192 | (d) Awadh |
| 193 | (a) A-iv, B-i, C-ii, D-iii |
| 194 | (b) The complete disbandment of their infantry in favor of an exclusively naval force |
| 195 | (a) Treaty of Surat Treaty of Purandar Treaty of Salbai Treaty of Bassein |
| 196 | (c) I, III, IV and V |
| 197 | (a) Babti |
| 198 | (a) A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii |
| 199 | (b) Deshmukh - Revenue officials appointed directly by the Peshwa to manage crown lands |
| 200 | (c) Lord Hastings |
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.