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 11–20 of 35 questions
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Administrative and Revenue System
Q11. Consider the following statements regarding the types of Jagirs: Statement I: A ‘Tankha Jagir’ was assigned to a noble strictly in lieu of salary and was generally transferable. Statement II: A ‘Watan Jagir’ was hereditary and not subject to routine transfers by the ruler. Which of the following is correct?
Explanation
Land grants in medieval Rajasthan were categorized based on their purpose and permanency. Tankha Jagirs were given to nobles in lieu of cash salaries and were subject to periodic transfers by the ruler. In contrast, Watan Jagirs were considered ancestral property and remained with the noble’s family across generations, providing a stable territorial base that the state rarely interfered with.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Administrative and Revenue System
Q12. Consider the following statements regarding ‘Sasan’ or ‘Udak’ lands in medieval Rajasthan: I. These were revenue-free grants. II. They were granted primarily for military achievements on the battlefield. III. They were given to Brahmins, Charans, Bhats, or religious institutions. IV. The grantees of these lands were heavily burdened with regular military service (Chakri). Which of the above combination of statements is incorrect?
Explanation
Sasan or Udak lands were revenue-free grants provided to religious and scholarly groups like Brahmins, Charans, and Bhats. These grants were intended for charitable and spiritual purposes rather than military rewards. Grantees were generally exempted from the regular military service and taxes that burdened other landholders, making these lands significant for the patronage of religious and cultural institutions.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Administrative and Revenue System
Q13. Which of the following is the most appropriate definition of ‘Bhom’ tenure in medieval Rajasthan?
Explanation
Bhom tenure represented a specialized hereditary land grant given to individuals for their role in local protection. These Bhomias were often the descendants of those who had sacrificed their lives for the village or provided essential security services. While they paid a nominal quit-rent, they were primarily responsible for maintaining order and protecting the community at the grassroots level.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Administrative and Revenue System
Q14. Match List-I (Type of Jagir/Land Grant) with List-II (Nature of Grantee) and select the correct answer. List I: (Type of Grant) A. Sasan B. Bhom C. Tankha Jagir D. Inam List II: (Nature of Grantee) i. State officials and nobles in lieu of salary ii. Persons rewarded for special services or skills, often non-military iii. Brahmins, scholars, and religious men iv. Local protectors and martyrs’ families
Explanation
Different land grants targeted specific social groups. Sasan was for religious and learned men, while Bhom focused on local protectors and martyrs’ families. Tankha Jagirs were the primary means of remunerating state officials and nobles for their service. Inam grants were rewards for individuals who demonstrated exceptional non-military skills or provided special services to the royal court.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Administrative and Revenue System
Q15. Identify the incorrect statement regarding a ‘Kham’ (or Zabti) jagir.
Explanation
Kham, or Zabti, referred to the temporary confiscation of a Jagir by the state. This usually occurred during succession disputes or if a Jagirdar failed to meet his military obligations. Under Kham, the state directly managed the land and collected revenue until the issue was resolved. It was never a permanent donation to foreign powers or a form of tribute.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Administrative and Revenue System
Q16. In the agrarian terminology of the state of Mewar, the crown lands directly administered by state officials were locally referred to as:
Explanation
In the state of Mewar, crown lands that were under the direct management and supervision of state officials were specifically called Hawala. These lands were vital for the state’s financial stability, as all revenue collected from them went directly to the royal treasury. This system allowed the state to maintain a consistent source of income independent of the Jagirdari grants.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Administrative and Revenue System
Q17. Match List-I (Obligations/Taxes) with List-II (Context) and select the correct answer.
Obligations/Taxes
Context
A. Talwar-bandhai
i. Assessed revenue determining troop quota
B. Chakri
ii. Cash contribution on occasions like royal marriages
C. Rekh
iii. Mandatory military service to the state
D. Neota
iv. Succession fee paid by the new Jagirdar
Explanation
The financial and service relationship between the state and Jagirdars was defined by several terms. Talwar-bandhai was the fee paid during succession, while Chakri represented mandatory military service. Rekh provided the assessment for troop quotas, and Neota was a customary cash contribution for special occasions like royal weddings. These mechanisms ensured the state’s military readiness and financial needs were met.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Administrative and Revenue System
Q18. Arrange the following steps in the typical process of succession to a Jagir in chronological order: I. Imposition of Kham (temporary state management) II. Death of the incumbent Jagirdar III. Payment of Hukamnama/Nazarana by the heir IV. Issuance of a new Patta (deed) and Matmi (condolence/recognition) by the ruler Select the correct order:
Explanation
The succession process began with the death of a Jagirdar, leading to the temporary state management of the estate, known as Kham. The heir would then pay the required Hukamnama or succession fee. Finally, the ruler would issue a new Patta and hold the Matmi ceremony, formally recognizing the new Jagirdar and restoring the estate to the family’s control.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Administrative and Revenue System
Q19. In the revenue assessment systems of medieval Rajasthan, what did the term ‘Lata’ refer to?
Explanation
Lata was a revenue assessment method that occurred after the crop had been harvested. The yield was estimated while the grain was still on the threshing floor, allowing for a more accurate assessment than predicting standing crops. This system was commonly used in medieval Rajasthan to determine the state’s share of the agricultural produce before it was finally divided.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Administrative and Revenue System
Q20. The ‘Mukata’ or ‘Ijara’ system in the context of medieval revenue administration meant:
Explanation
The Mukata or Ijara system involved farming out the rights to collect land revenue to individuals through an auction process. The highest bidder, known as the Ijaradar, would pay a fixed amount to the state and then collect revenue from the peasants. While this ensured a stable income for the treasury, it often led to the exploitation of the cultivators.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
11
(a) Both Statement I and Statement II are true
12
(b) II and IV only
13
(d) Hereditary grant for local protection or to heirs of fallen village defenders.
14
(a) A-iii, B-iv, C-i, D-ii
15
(b) Kham lands were those lands permanently donated to foreign invaders as tribute.
16
(d) Hawala
17
(a) A-iv, B-iii, C-i, D-ii
18
(b) II, I, III, IV
19
(b) Estimating yield after harvesting the crop on the threshing floor.
20
(a) A system where revenue collection rights were auctioned to the highest bidder.
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.
