Q111. During Rana Hammir’s reign, the Mewar army captured the prominent military outpost of Idar. Which modern-day state does Idar belong to?
Cooperation and Resistance with Central Power: RAS Prelims MCQs
119 RAS Prelims MCQs on how Rajput states resisted or cooperated with the central power cover the Arab, Turkish, Mughal, Maratha and British periods. The battles of Tarain and Haldighati, Akbar’s Rajput policy, the Rathore rebellion after Jaswant Singh and the subsidiary treaties of 1817 and 1818 all feature, and each question asks for the cause or consequence, not just the date.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 111–119 of 119 questions
Q112. Which of the following statements is correct regarding Rana Kumbha’s fortification strategy?
Explanation
Rana Kumbha is famous for his extensive fortification projects, which were central to Mewar’s defense strategy. He is credited with constructing or significantly rebuilding thirty-two of the eighty-four fortresses in the kingdom. His most notable achievement was the fort of Kumbhalgarh, which featured massive walls and a strategic location in the Aravallis, making it one of the most impregnable strongholds in all of India.
Q113. Which of the following statements about the Battle of Khanwa is incorrect?
Explanation
Contrary to the idea that Babur’s forces were ill-equipped, his victory at the Battle of Khanwa was largely due to his effective use of cavalry and modern artillery. Rana Sanga, the Rajput leader, was indeed severely wounded and carried from the field, which caused panic among his troops. The defection of key allies like Silhadi further weakened the Rajput side, illustrating the internal divisions within the confederacy.
Q114. Identify the correctly matched pair regarding Akbar’s interactions with Rajputana:
Explanation
Surjan Hada was the ruler of Ranthambore who eventually surrendered the fort to Akbar in 1569 after a brief siege. His decision followed negotiations that allowed him to maintain his dignity and serve in the Mughal hierarchy. This event was a significant success for Akbar, as it brought one of the most famous Rajput strongholds under imperial control without the need for total destruction.
Q115. All of the following were military commanders involved in the Battle of Haldighati EXCEPT:
Explanation
Asaf Khan, Syed Hashim and Ramdas Rathore were commanders at Haldighati. Mahabat Khan served under Jahangir later and was not at Haldighati.
Q116. Which of the following is the most appropriate characterization of Maharana Pratap’s military strategy in the decades following Haldighati?
Explanation
Following his defeat at Haldighati, Maharana Pratap adopted a highly effective strategy of guerrilla warfare. He utilized the difficult and familiar terrain of the Aravalli hills to launch surprise attacks on Mughal supply lines and outposts. This approach allowed his smaller force to avoid large-scale pitched battles while continuously harassing the imperial army, making it impossible for the Mughals to achieve a permanent or stable conquest.
Q117. Read the following statements and select the correct option.
Statement I: The Kachwaha rulers of Amber maintained a deeply antagonistic relationship with the Mughal Empire throughout the 16th and 17th centuries.
Statement II: Raja Man Singh of Amber was a trusted general of Akbar and served as the governor of Bengal, Bihar, and Kabul.
Statement I: The Kachwaha rulers of Amber maintained a deeply antagonistic relationship with the Mughal Empire throughout the 16th and 17th centuries.
Statement II: Raja Man Singh of Amber was a trusted general of Akbar and served as the governor of Bengal, Bihar, and Kabul.
Explanation
The Kachwaha rulers of Amber were unique among Rajputs for their early and consistent cooperation with the Mughal Empire. Raja Man Singh, in particular, was one of Akbar’s most trusted and successful generals, serving as governor of major provinces like Bengal and Kabul. This relationship was generally collaborative rather than antagonistic, as Amber benefited significantly from the high ranks and territories granted by the Mughal emperors.
Q118. The concept of "Paramountcy," established by the British over the Rajput states in the early 19th century, legally meant that:
Explanation
The legal concept of "Paramountcy" gave the British East India Company, and later the British Crown, ultimate authority over the Rajput states. Under this system, the British controlled all external affairs and defense, while the Rajput rulers were recognized as sovereign in their internal administration. This ensured that the states remained loyal to the British Empire while maintaining their traditional social and political structures.
Q119. What was the primary cause of the failure of the Hurda Conference (1734)?
Explanation
The failure of the Hurda Conference in 1734 can be attributed to the deep-seated mutual suspicions and conflicting interests among the various Rajput rulers. Although they agreed on the need to check Maratha expansion, they could not settle on a unified command or a shared military strategy. This lack of true cooperation and common purpose prevented the formation of an effective alliance, allowing the Marathas to continue their incursions.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 111 | (a) Gujarat |
| 112 | (b) He is credited with building 32 of the 84 Mewar fortresses. |
| 113 | (b) Babur’s forces were entirely composed of infantry, lacking both cavalry and artillery. |
| 114 | (a) Surjan Hada - Surrendered Ranthambore to Akbar |
| 115 | (c) Mahabat Khan |
| 116 | (d) Using Aravalli terrain to wage relentless guerrilla warfare. |
| 117 | (b) Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct. |
| 118 | (b) Controlling external affairs while recognizing internal ruler sovereignty. |
| 119 | (d) Mutual suspicions and conflicting interests prevented unified action. |
Key facts from Cooperation and Resistance with Central Power
- The First Battle of Tarain in 1191 followed Muhammad Ghori’s capture of Tabarhind (Bhatinda); the Second Battle of Tarain in 1192 broke Chauhan power.
- Akbar’s Rajput policy was built on loyal alliances, and his principle of Sulh-i-Kul meant universal peace and tolerance.
- At Haldighati, Jhala Bida wore Maharana Pratap’s royal insignia to draw attention away from him.
- The death of Jaswant Singh of Marwar at Jamrud in 1678 started a long Rathore rebellion against the Mughals.
- The Hurda Conference of 1734 aimed to unite Rajput rulers against the Marathas.
- Karauli was the first state to sign a subsidiary alliance with the British, in 1817; Sirohi was the last.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Cooperation and Resistance with Central Power?
This page has 119 practice MCQs on Cooperation and Resistance with Central Power (Rajasthan History, Art and Culture). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
What triggered the First Battle of Tarain?
Muhammad Ghori’s capture of the fortress of Tabarhind (Bhatinda) in 1191. Prithviraj Chauhan marched to recover it and met Ghori at Tarain, where the Chauhan forces won the first battle before losing the second in 1192.
Which state first signed a subsidiary alliance with the British in Rajputana?
Karauli, in 1817. The other states followed over the next few years, and Sirohi was the last of the Rajputana states to sign. The treaties placed the states under British protection and paramountcy.
What was the Hurda Conference?
A meeting of Rajput rulers at Hurda in 1734, held to unite them against the growing Maratha incursions. The meeting showed the wish for a common front, though the unity did not last and Maratha pressure continued.