Q11. Maharana Pratap’s strategic shift to guerrilla warfare after the Battle of Haldighati heavily relied on the topography of which specific region?
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 11–20 of 119 questions
Q12. Consider the following statements regarding the cooperation of Amber and Marwar with the Mughals:
I. Raja Bharmal of Amber was the first Rajput ruler to enter into a matrimonial alliance with Akbar.
II. Mirza Raja Jai Singh served as a key military commander under Aurangzeb against Shivaji.
III. Maharaja Jaswant Singh of Marwar consistently supported Aurangzeb during the Mughal war of succession.
IV. The Kachwahas of Amber were granted high mansabs in the Mughal court.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
I. Raja Bharmal of Amber was the first Rajput ruler to enter into a matrimonial alliance with Akbar.
II. Mirza Raja Jai Singh served as a key military commander under Aurangzeb against Shivaji.
III. Maharaja Jaswant Singh of Marwar consistently supported Aurangzeb during the Mughal war of succession.
IV. The Kachwahas of Amber were granted high mansabs in the Mughal court.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
While several Rajput states cooperated with the Mughals, Maharaja Jaswant Singh of Marwar had a complex relationship with the imperial throne. During the war of succession, he initially supported Dara Shikoh against Aurangzeb at the Battle of Dharmat. This inconsistent support highlights the political friction between the Rathores and Aurangzeb, unlike the more stable alliances maintained by the Amber rulers.
Q13. Read the following statements and select the correct option.
Statement I: Aurangzeb’s imposition of the Jizya tax in 1679 was peacefully accepted by all Rajput states.
Statement II: Maharana Raj Singh of Mewar strongly protested against the reimposition of Jizya by writing a letter to Aurangzeb.
Statement I: Aurangzeb’s imposition of the Jizya tax in 1679 was peacefully accepted by all Rajput states.
Statement II: Maharana Raj Singh of Mewar strongly protested against the reimposition of Jizya by writing a letter to Aurangzeb.
Explanation
The imposition of the Jizya tax by Aurangzeb in 1679 was met with significant resistance from various Rajput rulers. Maharana Raj Singh of Mewar notably sent a strongly worded letter of protest, arguing that the tax was discriminatory and contrary to the principles of fair governance. This act of defiance signaled a major breakdown in the long-standing Mughal-Rajput political cooperation.
Q14. Match List I: (Rajput Ruler) with List II: (Role/ Event during Maratha Incursions) and select the correct answer.
| Rajput Ruler | Role/Event during Maratha Incursions |
|---|---|
| A. Sawai Jai Singh | i. Chaired the Hurda Conference |
| B. Ishwari Singh | ii. Defeated by Marathas and committed suicide |
| C. Madho Singh I | iii. Initiator of the Hurda Conference |
| D. Jagat Singh II | iv. Massacred Marathas in Jaipur city |
Explanation
Sawai Jai Singh initiated the Hurda Conference in 1734 to unite Rajputs against Marathas, though Jagat Singh II eventually chaired the meeting. Ishwari Singh’s reign was marked by severe Maratha pressure, eventually leading him to commit suicide. Madho Singh I retaliated against Maratha interference by ordering a massacre in Jaipur, reflecting the violent nature of eighteenth-century politics in the northern region.
Q15. Which of the following Rajput states was the last to sign the Subsidiary Alliance treaty with the British East India Company in 1823?
Explanation
The state of Sirohi was the final major Rajput principality to sign a Subsidiary Alliance treaty with the British East India Company in 1823. Most other states, including Mewar and Jodhpur, had already entered into these agreements by 1818. Disputes regarding Sirohi’s sovereign status and claims of suzerainty by Jodhpur delayed the finalization of its treaty with the British.
Q16. Identify the incorrect pair regarding early resistance to Arab invasions:
Explanation
Early resistance to Arab expansion involved various dynasties across Western India. Bappa Rawal of Mewar and Nagabhata I of the Gurjara- Pratiharas were key leaders who pushed back Islamic forces. However, Dadda III was not a Rathore ruler of Bikaner but belonged to the Gurjara dynasty of Broach. This mismatch highlights the distinct regional powers involved in early defensive battles.
Q17. Read the following statements and select the correct option.
Statement I: Mahmud Ghaznavi’s primary objective in attacking Indian territories, including passing through Rajasthan, was territorial annexation.
Statement II: The sack of Somnath in 1025 AD by Mahmud Ghaznavi created widespread devastation but did not result in permanent Ghaznavid rule in Rajputana.
Statement I: Mahmud Ghaznavi’s primary objective in attacking Indian territories, including passing through Rajasthan, was territorial annexation.
Statement II: The sack of Somnath in 1025 AD by Mahmud Ghaznavi created widespread devastation but did not result in permanent Ghaznavid rule in Rajputana.
Explanation
Mahmud Ghaznavi’s invasions into India were primarily motivated by the desire to plunder wealth rather than territorial annexation. His sack of the Somnath temple in 1025 AD caused immense destruction as he passed through the desert regions of Rajasthan. While these raids were devastating, they did not lead to the establishment of permanent Ghaznavid administrative rule in the Rajputana region.
Q18. Select the correct chronological sequence of the following battles fought during the 12th century:
Explanation
The late twelfth century witnessed several critical battles that shaped Indian history. The First Battle of Tarain in 1191 resulted in a Rajput victory. This was followed by the Second Battle of Tarain in 1192, where the Ghurid forces defeated Prithviraj Chauhan. Finally, the Battle of Chandawar in 1194 saw the defeat of Jai Chandra, consolidating Turkish power in North India.
Q19. The tactical advantage that allowed Muhammad Ghori to defeat Prithviraj Chauhan in the Second Battle of Tarain was primarily his use of:
Explanation
At the Second Battle of Tarain, Muhammad Ghori employed light cavalry and the tactic of feigned retreats to disrupt the Rajput battle lines. By pretending to flee, his troops lured the Rajput forces into a disorganized pursuit. Once the Rajput formation was broken, the mobile Turkish archers encircled and exhausted them, proving the superiority of mobile tactics over traditional heavy formations.
Q20. Consider the following statements about Alauddin Khilji’s campaigns in Rajasthan:
I. He attacked Ranthambore because Hammir Deva sheltered Mongol rebels.
II. The siege of Chittor took place in 1303.
III. Jalore was ruled by Kanhad Dev Sonigara during Khilji’s invasion.
IV. Siwana was captured and renamed Khairabad.
V. Khizr Khan was appointed as the governor of Chittor after its conquest.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. He attacked Ranthambore because Hammir Deva sheltered Mongol rebels.
II. The siege of Chittor took place in 1303.
III. Jalore was ruled by Kanhad Dev Sonigara during Khilji’s invasion.
IV. Siwana was captured and renamed Khairabad.
V. Khizr Khan was appointed as the governor of Chittor after its conquest.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Alauddin Khilji’s campaigns in Rajasthan were comprehensive and strategic. He targeted Ranthambore due to the asylum granted to Mongol rebels and later captured Chittor in 1303. Jalore fell after the resistance of Kanhad Dev, and Siwana was renamed Khairabad following its conquest. These victories, including the appointment of Khizr Khan at Chittor, established short-term Sultanate dominance over the strategic Rajput forts.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 11 | (d) The Aravalli hills of southern Mewar. |
| 12 | (b) III only |
| 13 | (b) Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct. |
| 14 | (a) A-iii, B-ii, C-iv, D-i |
| 15 | (a) Sirohi |
| 16 | (b) Dadda III - Rathore ruler of Bikaner |
| 17 | (b) Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct. |
| 18 | (a) First Battle of Tarain, Second Battle of Tarain, Battle of Chandawar |
| 19 | (c) Light cavalry using feigned retreats. |
| 20 | (d) I, II, III, IV and V |
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.