Q31. In the context of the social structure of ancient Rajasthan, which of the following is the odd one out regarding the traditional four-fold Varna system?
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 31–40 of 120 questions
Q32. The ancient site of Bagor in Bhilwara district provides significant evidence regarding early societal formations. It is primarily known as a prominent site of:
Explanation
Bagor, located in the Bhilwara district, is one of the most important Mesolithic sites in India. It is primarily known for providing some of the earliest archaeological evidence of animal domestication in the subcontinent. Excavations at Bagor have offered vital insights into the transition from a hunting-gathering lifestyle to a more settled existence involving pastoralism and early social organization.
Q33. The discovery of various terracotta female figurines at ancient sites like Kalibangan and Ahar is most strongly indicative of which aspect of ancient beliefs in Rajasthan?
Explanation
The discovery of numerous terracotta female figurines at sites like Kalibangan and Ahar suggests that the people of ancient Rajasthan practiced the worship of the Mother Goddess. These figurines are typically associated with fertility cults and the veneration of feminine power. Such religious beliefs were widespread across many early agricultural and urban societies throughout the ancient Indian subcontinent.
Q34. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer from the options given below:
| Ancient Sites of Rajasthan | Key Archaeological Find / Characteristic |
|---|---|
| A. Kalibangan | i. Evidence of ancient woven cloth |
| B. Balathal | ii. Earliest earthquake evidence |
| C. Ganeshwar | iii. Ashokan Rock Edict |
| D. Bairath | iv. Pre-Harappan copper objects |
Explanation
Archaeological sites in Rajasthan possess unique features. Kalibangan provided evidence of an early earthquake. Balathal yielded ancient woven cloth, indicating early textile knowledge. Ganeshwar is famous for its pre-Harappan copper objects, while Bairath is the site of a significant Ashokan Rock Edict. Together, these discoveries provide a detailed picture of the technological and cultural evolution of ancient society in the region.
Q35. Which of the following statements correctly describes agricultural practices in ancient Rajasthan during the Chalcolithic period?
Explanation
During the Chalcolithic period in Rajasthan, agriculture was a well-established practice, especially in fertile river valleys. Communities cultivated crops like barley, wheat, and millets to sustain themselves. This transition to settled farming was accompanied by the domestication of animals, allowing these ancient societies to move away from a purely nomadic lifestyle toward stable rural economies and permanent settlements.
Q36. Consider the following statements regarding ancient trade and economic life in Rajasthan:
I. The discovery of seals and sealings at sites like Kalibangan indicates established long-distance trade networks.
II. Coins known as ‘Gadhiya’ coins were widely used during the Mauryan period in Rajasthan.
III. The barter system coexisted with the use of metallic money in local transactions.
IV. The presence of Roman amphorae in Rajasthan proves direct maritime trade between Rajasthan and Rome.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
I. The discovery of seals and sealings at sites like Kalibangan indicates established long-distance trade networks.
II. Coins known as ‘Gadhiya’ coins were widely used during the Mauryan period in Rajasthan.
III. The barter system coexisted with the use of metallic money in local transactions.
IV. The presence of Roman amphorae in Rajasthan proves direct maritime trade between Rajasthan and Rome.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
Ancient Rajasthan had robust trade networks, as shown by seals at Kalibangan and the use of metallic money. However, ‘Gadhiya’ coins were not used during the Mauryan period; they appeared later in the early medieval era. Additionally, while Roman trade influenced India, the presence of Roman amphorae does not prove direct maritime trade for the landlocked region of Rajasthan.
Q37. Identify the incorrect statement regarding the urban centers of ancient Rajasthan:
Explanation
Several urban centers flourished in ancient Rajasthan, including Nagari, Nagar, and Bhinmal. Nagari was the capital of the Sibis, and Nagar was a major Malava hub. Bhinmal was a prominent commercial center. However, Osian was not a Mauryan capital; it gained prominence much later as a center for temple architecture and trade during the Gurjara-Pratihara and medieval periods.
Q38. Consider the following statements and select the correct answer from the options given below:
Statement I: The Ghosundi inscription is an early epigraphic source mentioning the worship of Sankarshana and Vasudeva.
Statement II: The emergence of Bhagavatism in ancient Rajasthan was entirely suppressed by the widespread dominance of Vedic sacrificial rituals.
Statement I: The Ghosundi inscription is an early epigraphic source mentioning the worship of Sankarshana and Vasudeva.
Statement II: The emergence of Bhagavatism in ancient Rajasthan was entirely suppressed by the widespread dominance of Vedic sacrificial rituals.
Explanation
The Ghosundi inscription is a vital historical document providing early evidence for the worship of Sankarshana and Vasudeva in Rajasthan, indicating the early spread of Bhagavatism. However, Bhagavatism was not suppressed by Vedic rituals; rather, the two traditions coexisted and eventually blended, with many local rulers patronizing both Vedic sacrifices and Vaishnava devotion throughout the ancient period.
Q39. Which of the following discoveries most appropriately establishes the antiquity of Jainism in Rajasthan?
Explanation
The Barli Inscription, found in the Ajmer district, is considered one of the oldest inscriptions in Rajasthan. It is highly significant because it provides early epigraphic evidence of Jainism in the region, dating back several centuries before the common era. This discovery establishes the deep historical roots and the long-standing presence of Jain religious traditions within the geographical boundaries of Rajasthan.
Q40. Arrange the following ancient structures/ epigraphs of Rajasthan in correct chronological order from earliest to latest:
I. Ploughed field of Kalibangan
II. Bhabru Edict of Ashoka
III. Ghosundi Inscription
IV. Badva Yupa Inscription
I. Ploughed field of Kalibangan
II. Bhabru Edict of Ashoka
III. Ghosundi Inscription
IV. Badva Yupa Inscription
Explanation
The correct chronological order begins with the Harappan ploughed field at Kalibangan. This is followed by the Mauryan period Bhabru Edict of Ashoka. The Ghosundi Inscription belongs to the post-Mauryan period, around the second century BCE. Finally, the Badva Yupa Inscriptions date to the third century CE, reflecting a later revival of Vedic sacrificial traditions by regional tribal leaders.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 31 | (a) Chandala |
| 32 | (b) A Mesolithic site with early evidence of animal domestication |
| 33 | (b) The prevalence of Mother Goddess worship and fertility cults |
| 34 | (a) A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii |
| 35 | (c) Cultivation of barley, wheat, and millets was practiced along river valleys |
| 36 | (b) II and IV only |
| 37 | (c) Osian was the capital of the Mauryan Empire in southern Rajasthan. |
| 38 | (a) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect |
| 39 | (d) The Barli Inscription from Ajmer district |
| 40 | (a) I, II, III, IV |
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.