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 21–30 of 120 questions
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Ancient Rajasthan: Society and Culture
Q21. Consider the following statements regarding the ancient trade routes passing through Rajasthan: I. The city of Madhyamika was entirely isolated and had no connection to the major Ujjain-Mathura trade route. II. Trade routes in ancient Rajasthan facilitated the exchange of copper from the Aravallis to other parts of India. III. Pushkar served as an important religious and commercial node on ancient travel routes. Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
Contrary to being isolated, Madhyamika was a major commercial node on the vital trade route connecting Mathura and Ujjain. Rajasthan’s internal trade routes were essential for transporting copper from the Aravallis to other parts of India. Furthermore, Pushkar served as both an important religious and commercial node, demonstrating that the region was well-integrated into broader ancient travel and trade networks.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Ancient Rajasthan: Society and Culture
Q22. Identify the incorrect statement regarding the ancient urban center of Kalibangan:
Explanation
Kalibangan is a famous Harappan site located on the banks of the ancient Saraswati River. It is celebrated for its early evidence of a ploughed field and a well-planned drainage system. However, it was not the capital of the Mauryan Empire; the Mauryan capital was Pataliputra. Kalibangan’s historical significance lies in its prehistoric urban culture and its advanced agricultural practices.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Ancient Rajasthan: Society and Culture
Q23. What does the term ‘Yupa’, often found in ancient inscriptions in Rajasthan (such as at Badva and Nandsa), refer to in the context of Vedic traditions?
Explanation
In the context of Vedic traditions, a ‘Yupa’ is a sacrificial pillar. In ancient Rajasthan, these stone pillars were erected to record the successful completion of significant Vedic sacrifices like the Ashvamedha or Agnishtoma. Inscriptions found on Yupas at sites like Badva and Nandsa provide crucial evidence of the continued practice and patronage of Vedic rituals by regional rulers and elites.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Ancient Rajasthan: Society and Culture
Q24. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer from the options given below:
Ancient Religious Sites
Modern District in Rajasthan
A. Bairath (Buddhist Site)
i. Jhalawar
B. Kholvi Caves (Buddhist Site)
ii. Chittorgarh
C. Nagari (Vaishnava Site)
iii. Ajmer
D. Barli Inscription (Jain context)
iv. Jaipur (Kotputli-Behror/Jaipur Rural)
Explanation
Ancient religious sites are found across various modern districts in Rajasthan. Bairath, near Jaipur, is a major Buddhist site. The Kholvi Caves in Jhalawar are significant rock-cut Buddhist structures. Nagari in Chittorgarh is an early Vaishnava site, and the Barli Inscription from Ajmer is associated with Jainism. These locations collectively illustrate the diverse religious landscape of the ancient period.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Ancient Rajasthan: Society and Culture
Q25. Consider the following statements and select the correct answer from the options given below: Statement I: The Bairath stupa is one of the earliest known structural stupas made of brick and timber in India. Statement II: No evidence of Ashokan pillars or rock edicts has ever been found within the geographical boundaries of Rajasthan.
Explanation
The circular stupa found at Bairath is indeed one of India’s earliest structural stupas made of brick and timber. However, it is incorrect to say no Ashokan remains exist in Rajasthan. The discovery of both the Bhabru Rock Edict and the Bairath Rock Edict within the state proves Ashoka’s direct influence and the spread of Buddhism in this region.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Ancient Rajasthan: Society and Culture
Q26. Which of the following best describes the educational system in ancient Rajasthan before the advent of the medieval period?
Explanation
Before the medieval period, education in Rajasthan was mainly delivered through the Gurukula system, where students resided with teachers. The state and wealthy donors supported this through Agraharas, which were tax-free land grants given to learned Brahmanas. These institutions, alongside Buddhist and Jain centers, formed a robust educational framework that preserved and transmitted both religious and secular knowledge.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Ancient Rajasthan: Society and Culture
Q27. Archaeological evidence of double burials found in ancient sites of Rajasthan, potentially shedding light on family structures and social customs, is prominently associated with which site?
Explanation
Excavations at the Harappan site of Kalibangan have revealed various burial practices, including the unique discovery of double burials. These findings provide significant insights into the social customs, family structures, and beliefs regarding the afterlife held by the ancient inhabitants. Such archaeological evidence is essential for reconstructing the complex social fabric of early urban settlements in northern Rajasthan.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Ancient Rajasthan: Society and Culture
Q28. Consider the following Assertion (A) and Reason (R) and select the correct answer from the options given below: Assertion (A): The ancient site of Ahar is also known as Tambavati in regional traditions. Reason (R): Extensive evidence of copper smelting furnaces and copper tools has been discovered at the Ahar archaeological site.
Explanation
Ahar is traditionally known as Tambavati because of its historical connection with copper. Archaeological excavations at the site have yielded extensive evidence of copper smelting furnaces, slag, and a wide variety of copper tools. This metallurgical activity was the backbone of the local economy, making the name Tambavati an accurate description of the site’s role as a major copper center.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Ancient Rajasthan: Society and Culture
Q29. The ancient site of Rairh in Tonk district is often referred to as the ‘Ancient Tata Nagar of Rajasthan’ primarily because of the discovery of:
Explanation
Rairh, located in the Tonk district, is called the ‘Ancient Tata Nagar of Rajasthan’ primarily due to the discovery of a massive hoard of over three thousand punch-marked coins. This find, along with evidence of iron working and smelting, indicates that Rairh was a significant commercial and industrial center during the Mauryan and post-Mauryan periods in ancient Indian history.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Ancient Rajasthan: Society and Culture
Q30. Which of the following represents the correct chronological sequence of ancient cultures found in Rajasthan?
Explanation
The prehistoric and ancient cultures of Rajasthan follow a clear chronological progression. The sequence begins with the Paleolithic era at Didwana, followed by the Mesolithic culture at Bagor. This transitioned into the Chalcolithic stage at Ahar, and finally reached the Iron Age as evidenced at Noh. Each phase represents a significant step in the technological and social development of the region.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
21
(a) I only
22
(b) It served as the capital of the Mauryan Empire during the reign of Ashoka.
23
(d) A sacrificial pillar erected to commemorate the successful performance of a Vedic sacrifice
24
(a) A-iv, B-i, C-ii, D-iii
25
(a) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
26
(a) It was predominantly imparted through the Gurukula system and Agraharas supported by land grants.
27
(d) Kalibangan
28
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
29
(c) The largest hoard of ancient punch-marked coins in India
30
(b) Paleolithic (Didwana) Mesolithic (Bagor) Chalcolithic (Ahar) Iron Age (Noh)
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.
