Q41. The ancient site of Bhinmal, renowned for its educational and cultural heritage, was historically visited by which prominent foreign traveler?
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 41–50 of 120 questions
Q42. In the context of food, dress, and social customs in ancient Rajasthan, all of the following archaeological findings provide direct evidence of textile usage EXCEPT:
Explanation
Archaeological sites in Rajasthan offer various evidences for ancient textile use. Traces of woven cloth were found at Bairath and Balathal, while pottery impressions at Kalibangan show textile patterns. However, there is no verified archaeological evidence of rock paintings specifically depicting silk garments at the Mesolithic site of Bagor. Most early textiles in the region were made from cotton.
Q43. Which of the following statements correctly characterizes the occupational communities of ancient Rajasthan?
Explanation
In ancient Rajasthan, artisans were integral to the urban and rural economies. They organized themselves into guilds known as Srenis to protect their interests, regulate training, and maintain quality standards. These guilds often held significant social and economic influence, sometimes acting as local banks or charitable bodies, and played a vital role in the commercial life of ancient cities.
Q44. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer from the options given below:
| Ancient Coin Types/Hoards | Associated Authority/Region in Rajasthan |
|---|---|
| A. Malavgana coins | i. Madhyamika (Nagari) |
| B. Sibi Janapada coins | ii. Bairath |
| C. Indo-Greek coins (Appolodotus) | iii. Nagar (Tonk) |
| D. Punch-marked coins (massive hoard) | iv. Rairh |
Explanation
Coin discoveries help map ancient political history in Rajasthan. Malavgana coins were found at Nagar, while Sibi Janapada coins are associated with Madhyamika. Indo-Greek coins were discovered at Bairath, indicating foreign influence. Finally, the massive hoard of punch-marked coins, representing the earliest metallic currency, was found at Rairh. These finds reflect the varied political authorities and active trade networks.
Q45. In the context of the transition from ancient to early medieval Rajasthan, the term ‘Agrahara’ refers to:
Explanation
During the transition to the early medieval period, the Agrahara system became widespread in Rajasthan. An Agrahara was a grant of tax-free land or entire villages given to Brahmanas or religious institutions. The primary purpose was to provide economic support for scholars, allowing them to focus on teaching and preserving Vedic and scriptural knowledge without the burden of taxation.
Q46. Consider the following statements regarding the Varna and social structure in ancient Rajasthan:
I. Epigraphic evidence suggests that social mobility was entirely impossible in ancient Rajasthan.
II. The Samoli inscription highlights the economic activities of the Mahajana (mercantile) community.
III. Indigenous tribes were gradually integrated into the broader varna framework over centuries.
IV. Kshatriyas held the monopoly over intellectual and religious sacrifices.
V. Untouchability was non-existent and all social groups shared equal status in urban centers.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
I. Epigraphic evidence suggests that social mobility was entirely impossible in ancient Rajasthan.
II. The Samoli inscription highlights the economic activities of the Mahajana (mercantile) community.
III. Indigenous tribes were gradually integrated into the broader varna framework over centuries.
IV. Kshatriyas held the monopoly over intellectual and religious sacrifices.
V. Untouchability was non-existent and all social groups shared equal status in urban centers.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
While the Varna system existed, social mobility was not impossible, especially for powerful tribal or foreign groups. Brahmins, not Kshatriyas, usually held the monopoly over religious sacrifices. Furthermore, social stratification was present in urban centers, meaning all groups did not share equal status. The Samoli inscription highlights mercantile activities, and tribes were indeed integrated into the broader framework over time.
Q47. Identify the correct pair regarding the ancient tribes and their historical region in Rajasthan:
Explanation
The Matsyas were a prominent ancient tribe located in eastern Rajasthan, with their capital at Viratnagar. The Malavas were primarily in the Jaipur-Tonk area, while the Sibis occupied the Mewar region around Chittorgarh. The Yaudheyas were located in northern Rajasthan near the Punjab border. Understanding these regional associations is key to interpreting the early political and tribal geography of the state.
Q48. Historical and epigraphic sources indicate that in ancient Rajasthan, the property rights of women (Stridhana) were:
Explanation
In ancient Rajasthan, women’s property rights were generally limited, but they had recognized ownership of ‘Stridhana’. This refers to the wealth, jewelry, and gifts a woman received from her family or husband during marriage ceremonies. While they did not have equal rights to ancestral land as men, Stridhana provided them with a degree of individual economic security and personal property.
Q49. In the context of family structure and marriage customs in ancient Rajasthan, which of the following is the odd one out?
Explanation
Niyoga, Swayamvara, and Sati are terms specifically related to marriage practices or social customs involving widows and matrimonial choices. Niyoga refers to a widow practice, Swayamvara to a choice of husband, and Sati to a widow’s immolation. Varna-sankara, however, refers to the broader social phenomenon of the mixing of varnas and the creation of new castes, rather than a specific marriage ritual.
Q50. Which of the following is the most appropriate description of the agrarian economy of the Harappan sites located in Rajasthan (e.g., Kalibangan)?
Explanation
Harappan settlements in Rajasthan, like Kalibangan, possessed a sophisticated agrarian economy. Excavations revealed a ploughed field, showing they used animal-drawn ploughs for cultivation. They practiced multi-cropping, growing various plants like wheat, barley, and mustard simultaneously. This sedentary agricultural system, supported by local water management, was the foundation of their urban prosperity and specialized craft activities in the region.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 41 | (c) Hiuen Tsang |
| 42 | (a) Rock paintings of silk garments at Bagor |
| 43 | (d) Artisans organized themselves into localized guilds called Srenis to protect interests |
| 44 | (a) A-iii, B-i, C-ii, D-iv |
| 45 | (c) Tax-free land granted to Brahmanas or temples to promote learning |
| 46 | (b) I, IV and V |
| 47 | (a) Matsyas -- Eastern Rajasthan (Jaipur, Alwar, Bharatpur) |
| 48 | (b) Recognized rights over specific gifts and wealth received during marriage rituals |
| 49 | (b) Varna-sankara |
| 50 | (a) A sedentary system using the plough for multi-cropping like wheat and mustard |
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.