Q1. In the context of the central administration of medieval Rajasthan, which of the following best defines the role of the ruler?
Administrative and Revenue System: RAS Prelims MCQs
35 RAS Prelims MCQs on the administrative and revenue system of medieval Rajasthan focus on terms. Land categories, measurement units, assessment methods, cesses and the officials of a Rajput state are asked as definitions, match tables and statement sets, so the quickest way to score is to learn each word with its meaning.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 1–10 of 35 questions
Q2. Which of the following statements about the ‘Divine Right of Kings’ as applied in medieval Rajputana is correct?
Explanation
In medieval Rajputana, the concept of divine right was manifested through genealogical claims connecting rulers to celestial bodies or legendary deities. By asserting descent from the Sun or Moon, monarchs established a sacred legitimacy that reinforced their political authority. This divine association helped solidify the ruler’s status within the clan hierarchy and among the general population.
Q3. Match List-I (Central Officials) with List-II (Their Primary Duties) and select the correct answer using the codes given below.
| Central Officials | Primary Duties |
|---|---|
| A. Pradhan | i. Head of the military department and paymaster |
| B. Diwan | ii. In-charge of the state treasury |
| C. Mir Bakhshi | iii. Chief Minister or premier noble of the state |
| D. Khazanchi | iv. Head of the finance and revenue department |
Explanation
The administrative framework comprised specific officials with clearly defined roles. The Pradhan acted as the chief minister or premier noble, while the Diwan headed finance and revenue. Military affairs were managed by the Mir Bakhshi, who served as the paymaster. The Khazanchi ensured the security and management of the state treasury and its financial resources.
Q4. Regarding the central administrative structure, what was the primary function of the ‘Darbar-i-Aam’?
Explanation
The Darbar-i-Aam served as a vital institution for public communication and grievance redressal in the medieval Rajput administration. It was a formal public audience hall where common subjects could directly present their petitions and complaints to the ruler. This practice ensured a degree of accessibility and transparency, allowing the monarch to oversee local justice.
Q5. In the agrarian system of medieval Rajasthan, what was the primary distinction between ‘Khalsa’ and ‘Jagir’ lands?
Explanation
The primary distinction between Khalsa and Jagir lands lay in the destination of the collected revenue. Khalsa lands were directly administered by state officials, and their proceeds were sent to the central treasury. In contrast, Jagir lands were assigned to nobles, who collected the revenue to maintain their military contingents and support their personal households as part of their service.
Q6. Which of the following pairs related to land tenure is incorrectly matched?
Explanation
The term Khalsa specifically referred to crown lands under the direct administration of the central government, with revenue flowing directly into the state treasury. It was not land reserved for village grazing; such common lands were usually categorized differently. Other terms like Sasan, Bhom, and Hawala correctly describe revenue-free religious grants, service-based grants, and directly managed crown lands, respectively.
Q7. What was the primary effect of the ‘clan ownership’ concept on the political authority of the Rajput ruler?
Explanation
The concept of clan ownership deeply influenced the political authority of the Rajput ruler, necessitating a consultative approach to governance. Since the state was viewed as the collective property of the clan, the monarch could not act as an absolute despot. Instead, the ruler had to maintain the support of principal clan chiefs, ensuring their interests were represented.
Q8. Match List-I (Feudal/Administrative Term) with List-II (Description) and select the correct answer.
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| A. Thikana | i. A prominent noble or senior Jagirdar (especially in Mewar) |
| B. Umrao | ii. A large estate or chiefdom within a princely state |
| C. Pattayat | iii. A landholder who held land on condition of protecting the village |
| D. Bhomia | iv. A noble holding land via a written deed (Patta) |
Explanation
Feudal administration involved several specific roles and titles. A Thikana was a large estate, while the term Umrao referred to high-ranking senior nobles, particularly in Mewar. A Pattayat was a noble who held land through a formal written deed called a Patta. Bhomias were local landholders responsible for the protection and security of their specific village areas.
Q9. The ‘Sirayat’ system, which designated prominent nobles who held hereditary rights to specific high offices in the state council, was a prominent feature of the administration of:
Explanation
The Sirayat system was a distinctive administrative feature of the Marwar state, designating a select group of prominent nobles who held hereditary rights to influential positions in the state council. These nobles possessed special ceremonial privileges and played a crucial role in governance, reflecting the deeply entrenched clan hierarchy of Jodhpur and the specific power-sharing arrangement within that state.
Q10. Select the correct sequence that represents the administrative hierarchy of territorial divisions in a medieval Rajput state, from largest to smallest.
Explanation
The territorial administration of medieval Rajput states was organized into a hierarchical structure for efficient governance. The largest unit was the State, which was divided into Parganas. These were further subdivided into Tappas, which served as intermediate administrative clusters. The smallest and most fundamental unit was the Village, where the actual implementation of revenue and local policies occurred.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 1 | (b) The supreme authority in executive, judicial, and military spheres, guided by Dharma and clan norms |
| 2 | (a) Rulers claimed descent from divine entities to legitimize their authority |
| 3 | (a) A-iii, B-iv, C-i, D-ii |
| 4 | (d) It was the public audience hall where the ruler heard grievances of the common people |
| 5 | (d) Khalsa revenue went to the state; Jagir revenue was assigned to nobles. |
| 6 | (b) Khalsa - Land exclusively reserved for the village Panchayat’s grazing needs |
| 7 | (c) It required the ruler to consult and accommodate the principal clan chiefs. |
| 8 | (a) A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii |
| 9 | (a) Marwar (Jodhpur) |
| 10 | (a) State (Rajya) Pargana Tappa Village (Gram) |
Key facts from Administrative and Revenue System
- Khalsa land paid revenue to the state, while Jagir land was assigned to nobles.
- Land was measured in Bigha and Biswa, and the measuring rope or chain was called Dori.
- Lata meant estimating the yield after harvest on the threshing floor.
- Lag-bag referred to the cesses and arbitrary levies on the peasantry.
- Under Mukata or Ijara, the right to collect revenue was auctioned to the highest bidder.
- Chahi land was irrigated from wells, Nahari land from canals, and Barani land was rain-fed.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Administrative and Revenue System?
This page has 35 practice MCQs on Administrative and Revenue System (Rajasthan History, Art and Culture). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
What is the difference between Khalsa and Jagir land?
Revenue from Khalsa land went directly to the state treasury, whereas revenue from Jagir land was assigned to nobles in lieu of service or salary. A state with a large Jagir area therefore had less land under direct control.
What was Dori?
Dori was the rope or chain used to measure land in medieval Rajasthan. Land areas were then expressed in the Bigha and the Biswa, and the measured area was the basis on which revenue was assessed.
What were Lag-bag cesses?
Lag-bag were the extra cesses and arbitrary levies collected from the peasantry beyond the regular land revenue. They added to the burden of the cultivators and became a common grievance in the agrarian unrest of later years.