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 61–70 of 120 questions
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Ancient Rajasthan: Society and Culture
Q61. Consider the following statements regarding the role of tribes in ancient Rajasthan: I. The Bhils find mention in ancient Sanskrit literature as skilled archers and forest dwellers. II. The Minas are traditionally considered one of the oldest indigenous tribal groups of eastern Rajasthan. III. Ancient tribal chiefs often integrated into the Rajput varna over time through matrimonial and political alliances. IV. The tribal societies in ancient times were purely nomadic and completely ignorant of agriculture. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Tribes like the Bhils and Minas are deeply rooted in Rajasthan’s history and are mentioned in ancient texts as indigenous groups. Over time, tribal elites often assimilated into the Rajput caste through political and matrimonial ties. However, it is incorrect to say they were purely nomadic and ignorant of agriculture; many tribal groups practiced settled farming alongside hunting and forest management.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Ancient Rajasthan: Society and Culture
Q62. Which of the following is the most appropriate description of the social mobility within the Varna system in ancient Rajasthan during the early historical period?
Explanation
During the early historical period in Rajasthan, the Varna system was not as rigid as often assumed. It was flexible enough to incorporate various foreign groups, such as the Hunas and Gurjaras, as well as powerful local tribal chiefs into the Kshatriya varna. This process of social assimilation was crucial for maintaining political stability and integrating new ruling elites into the framework.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Ancient Rajasthan: Society and Culture
Q63. Identify the incorrect statement regarding the position of women in ancient Rajasthan:
Explanation
In ancient Rajasthan, women were generally respected and held significant roles in family and religious life. While patriarchal structures were present, it is incorrect to say that female education was completely absent. Some ancient texts and traditions suggest that women, especially from the elite classes, received education in arts and scriptures, allowing them to manage property and participate in religious activities.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Ancient Rajasthan: Society and Culture
Q64. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer from the options given below:
Ancient Sites in Rajasthan
Associated District
A. Noh
i. Bharatpur
B. Sunari
ii. Jhunjhunu
C. Kurada
iii. Nagaur
D. Gilund
iv. Rajsamand
Explanation
Many important archaeological sites are located across various modern districts in Rajasthan. Noh is situated in Bharatpur, and Sunari is in the Jhunjhunu district. Kurada is an ancient copper hoard site in Nagaur, while Gilund is a Chalcolithic site located in Rajsamand. These sites have provided invaluable artifacts and information regarding the prehistoric and ancient cultural development of the region.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Ancient Rajasthan: Society and Culture
Q65. The presence of ancient iron smelting sites at Noh (Bharatpur) and Jodhpura (Jaipur) most strongly supports which concept regarding the economic life of ancient Rajasthan?
Explanation
The discovery of ancient iron smelting sites at Noh and Jodhpura proves that early inhabitants of Rajasthan did not rely on imported iron. Instead, local occupational communities had the advanced metallurgical skills needed to mine and process local iron ore. This internal production supported the manufacturing of agricultural tools and weapons, which was vital for the region’s economic and military self-sufficiency.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Ancient Rajasthan: Society and Culture
Q66. The ancient trade route connecting the Gangetic plains to the western seaports (like Bharuch) passed through Rajasthan. Which of the following urban centers functioned as an important transit node on this route?
Explanation
The ancient trade route connecting the Gangetic plains to the western seaports like Bharuch was a major economic artery. Madhyamika, known today as Nagari, served as a crucial transit node on this route. Its location allowed it to flourish as a commercial hub where goods were exchanged, taxes were collected, and cultural ideas from different parts of the subcontinent were integrated.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Ancient Rajasthan: Society and Culture
Q67. Consider the following statements and select the correct answer from the options given below: Statement I: The excavation at Bairath revealed the remains of a circular Buddhist temple and a monastery. Statement II: Bairath was a significant urban center that flourished solely due to maritime trade across the Arabian Sea.
Explanation
Excavations at Bairath revealed highly significant remains of a circular Buddhist temple and a monastery, highlighting its role as a religious center. However, Bairath’s prosperity was not due to maritime trade, as it is a landlocked site. Its growth was driven by its location on inland trade routes and its importance as a regional administrative and religious capital in ancient times.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Ancient Rajasthan: Society and Culture
Q68. In the context of religious beliefs in ancient Rajasthan, which of the following is the odd one out?
Explanation
Ashvamedha, Vajapeya, and Agnishtoma are all major Vedic sacrifices performed by kings and the elite to establish authority and seek divine blessings. They are central to the Vedic ritual tradition. Sallekhana, on the other hand, is a religious practice from Jainism involving a voluntary fast leading to death. Therefore, it is the odd one out among terms related to Vedic religious practices.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Ancient Rajasthan: Society and Culture
Q69. Identify the correct statement regarding Jainism in ancient Rajasthan:
Explanation
The Barli inscription provides one of the earliest epigraphic evidences of Jainism in Rajasthan. It dates to around the Mauryan period and mentions Jain religious practices, confirming early presence. Other options are incorrect: Jainism did not disappear, monks did travel despite harsh conditions, and patronage was not limited to Shudras but included traders and elites. Thus, statement (3) is historically accurate and well-supported.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Ancient Rajasthan: Society and Culture
Q70. Arrange the following developments in the art and architecture of Rajasthan in correct chronological order: I. Early structural temples at Osian II. Harappan town planning at Kalibangan III. Mauryan circular brick temple at Bairath IV. Rock shelter paintings at Alniya
Explanation
The architectural evolution begins with prehistoric rock paintings, such as those at Alniya. This is followed by the Harappan urban planning at Kalibangan. The next major development is the Mauryan circular brick temple at Bairath. Finally, the early structural stone temples at Osian represent a later period during the transition to the medieval era, reflecting the long-term progress of building traditions.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
61
(a) I, II and III only
62
(d) Flexible enough to allow foreign tribes and local chiefs into the Kshatriya varna
63
(a) References to female education are completely absent in ancient texts and inscriptions related to the region.
64
(a) A-i, B-ii, C-iii, D-iv
65
(b) Local occupational communities possessed advanced metallurgical knowledge to exploit local ore deposits.
66
(a) Madhyamika (Nagari)
67
(a) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
68
(d) Sallekhana
69
(c) The Barli inscription provides one of the earliest epigraphic references to Jainism in Rajasthan.
70
(a) IV, II, III, I
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.
