Ancient Rajasthan: Society and Culture: RAS Prelims MCQs
120 RAS Prelims MCQs on society and culture in ancient Rajasthan look at how people lived and traded before the Rajput age. Early tribes, the Matsya kingdom, urban centres like Nagari and Rairh, guilds, marriage customs, the property rights of women and the trade routes to the western ports are all tested, and the explanations place each fact in its period.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 111–120 of 120 questions
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Ancient Rajasthan: Society and Culture
Q111. Consider the following statements regarding the trade and economy of ancient Rajasthan: I. Pushkar and Ajmer regions were geographically crucial for trade routes connecting the north to the western coast. II. The discovery of Roman coins and artifacts in neighboring regions indicates that Rajasthan’s trade routes were part of broader international networks. III. Internal trade within Rajasthan heavily utilized river navigation on the Luni river throughout the year. IV. Local coinage issued by tribal republics like the Malavas facilitated regional market transactions. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Rajasthan’s trade was well-connected, with routes through Pushkar and Ajmer linking the north to western ports and participating in international networks. Local tribal coins also help facilitate this trade. However, it is incorrect to say the Luni River was used for year-round navigation; as a seasonal river in an arid region, it could not support continuous heavy boat traffic.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Ancient Rajasthan: Society and Culture
Q112. Identify the incorrect statement regarding the ancient urban centers of Rajasthan:
Explanation
Urban centers in ancient Rajasthan like Rairh and Nagari were highly developed hubs. Bairath was a significant Mauryan center. However, the statement about Kalibangan is incorrect; like other major Harappan cities, Kalibangan was a fortified settlement with substantial defensive walls. These fortifications were a key feature of its urban planning, intended to protect the inhabitants and the administrative center from threats.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Ancient Rajasthan: Society and Culture
Q113. Consider the following statements and select the correct answer from the options given below: Statement I: The worship of Yakshas and Nagas was prevalent among the masses alongside orthodox Vedic traditions. Statement II: Folk cults and local deities were completely eradicated by the spread of Buddhism in the region.
Explanation
In ancient Rajasthan, the worship of folk deities like Yakshas and Nagas was very popular among the common people and coexisted with Vedic traditions. This reflects a diverse religious life. However, the spread of Buddhism did not eradicate these folk cults; instead, Buddhism often incorporated these local spirits into its own mythology and art, showing a process of religious blending.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Ancient Rajasthan: Society and Culture
Q114. The discovery of structural remains of a circular stupa and monastery made of brick and timber at Bairath is associated with which ancient Indian ruler?
Explanation
The structural remains of the circular stupa and monastery discovered at Bairath are historically associated with the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka. The presence of these Buddhist structures, along with the nearby Bhabru Rock Edict, proves that Ashoka took a personal interest in the region. This site serves as a vital piece of evidence for the state-sponsored spread of Buddhism and architecture.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Ancient Rajasthan: Society and Culture
Q115. The Rangmahal culture in northern Rajasthan is particularly noted for its exquisite terracotta artifacts. These artifacts predominantly reflect the artistic influence of which school?
Explanation
The terracotta art of the Rangmahal culture is known for its high quality and detailed depictions. These artifacts show a significant artistic influence from both the Mathura and Gandhara schools of art. This blend of styles reflects the region’s position as a cultural crossroads where different artistic traditions met and influenced local craft production during the early historical period in northern Rajasthan.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Ancient Rajasthan: Society and Culture
Q116. Consider the following statements regarding the educational and cultural environment of ancient Rajasthan: I. Education was primarily a religious and spiritual endeavor closely tied to the Varna system. II. Gurukulas were situated in natural surroundings away from dense urban centers. III. The medium of higher intellectual and philosophical instruction was largely Sanskrit. IV. Bhinmal gained prominence as a center of learning in the post-Gupta period. V. The state heavily taxed educational institutions to fund military campaigns. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Education in ancient Rajasthan was deeply tied to the varna system, with Gurukulas often located in serene, natural settings. Sanskrit was the primary medium for higher intellectual and philosophical studies, and Bhinmal emerged as a major post-Gupta educational hub. However, there is no evidence that the state heavily taxed these institutions; instead, kings typically provided grants to support learning.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Ancient Rajasthan: Society and Culture
Q117. Which of the following is the most appropriate deduction regarding the food habits of the ancient people of Kalibangan, based on the discovery of ploughed fields and fire altars?
Explanation
The discovery of a ploughed field and several fire altars at Kalibangan allows for important deductions about the local way of life. It shows that the people were sedentary farmers who grew their own food. Furthermore, the fire altars suggest they performed rituals, which likely involved offering agricultural produce to the gods. This combination was central to the social and religious life.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Ancient Rajasthan: Society and Culture
Q118. In the context of ancient craft communities, the term ‘Karmakara’ generally refers to:
Explanation
In the context of the ancient Indian economy, the term ‘Karmakara’ generally referred to individuals who worked as hired laborers or artisans. Unlike wealthy merchants, they provided their labor or specialized skills in exchange for wages. They were a crucial part of the workforce in both urban and rural areas, supporting various industries such as construction, agriculture, and manufacturing of essential goods.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Ancient Rajasthan: Society and Culture
Q119. Identify the correct statement regarding the economic transactions and coins in ancient Rajasthan:
Explanation
Ancient coinage in Rajasthan was diverse. Punch-marked coins were primarily silver or copper. The barter system continued to exist alongside metallic currency. Indo-Greek coins were not minted in Kalibangan but entered through trade. However, it is a well-documented historical fact that Malava republic coins were inscribed with the legend ‘Malavanam Jaya’, meaning ‘Victory to the Malavas’, reflecting their political identity and autonomy.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Ancient Rajasthan: Society and Culture
Q120. The transition from ancient to early medieval Rajasthan is characterized by the concept of ‘Feudalism’ (Samanta system). A key feature of this system was:
Explanation
A fundamental feature of the Samanta or feudal system in early medieval Rajasthan was the granting of land by the king to subordinates in exchange for military or administrative services. This practice led to the creation of a hierarchy of local lords who exercised significant authority over their territories. Consequently, political power became decentralized, shifting away from a strong central monarchy toward regional principalities.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
111
(a) I, II and IV only
112
(b) Kalibangan’s urban planning completely lacked any defensive fortification walls.
113
(a) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
114
(a) Ashoka
115
(c) Mathura and Gandhara schools
116
(a) I, II, III and IV only
117
(c) Practiced agriculture and likely offered produce in fire sacrifices
118
(b) Hired laborers, artisans, or craftsmen who worked for wages
119
(d) The Malava republic coins invariably carried the legend ‘Malavanam Jaya’.
120
(a) Granting land in lieu of services, leading to decentralized power
Key facts from Ancient Rajasthan: Society and Culture
Madhyamika, the ancient name of Nagari in Chittorgarh district, was a fortified urban centre on the route from the Gangetic plains to Bharuch.
Rairh in Tonk district is called the Tata Nagar of ancient Rajasthan for its large hoard of punch-marked coins.
Ganeshwar served as a major copper-supplying centre to the Harappan civilization.
The Matsya kingdom, named in the Rigveda and the Mahabharata, lay in eastern Rajasthan around Jaipur, Alwar and Bharatpur.
A Sreni was a guild of merchants and artisans, and an Agrahara was tax-free land granted to Brahmanas or temples.
The Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang visited Bhinmal, which was known for its learning.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Ancient Rajasthan: Society and Culture?
This page has 120 practice MCQs on Ancient Rajasthan: Society and Culture (Rajasthan History, Art and Culture). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
What was a Sreni in ancient Rajasthan?
A Sreni was a guild of merchants and artisans. Guilds organised crafts and trade, handled finance and sometimes funded temples; the Mandasor inscription, for example, mentions a guild of silk weavers who built a Sun temple.
What was an Agrahara?
An Agrahara was tax-free land granted to Brahmanas or temples, so that they could carry on learning and ritual without paying revenue. Such grants became common during the transition from the ancient to the early medieval period.
Why is Rairh called the Tata Nagar of Rajasthan?
Excavations at Rairh in Tonk district found the largest hoard of ancient punch-marked coins in India, along with iron objects and signs of industrial activity. This points to a busy trading and manufacturing settlement, hence the comparison with the industrial town of Tata Nagar.
