Q21. Rana Hammir Singh of Mewar is praised with the title "Visham Ghati Panchanan" (a lion in difficult passes) in which of the following historical sources?
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 21–30 of 119 questions
Q22. Match List I: (Texts/Architecture) with List II: (Associated with Rana Kumbha) and select the correct answer.
| Texts/Architecture | Associated with Rana Kumbha |
|---|---|
| A. Rasik Priya | i. Reconstructed by Kumbha in Mount Abu |
| B. Kirti Stambha Prashasti | ii. Commentary authored by Kumbha on Gita Govinda |
| C. Achalgarh Fort | iii. Inscription detailing Kumbha’s victories |
| D. Sangit Ratnakar | iv. Kumbha wrote a commentary on this musical text |
Explanation
Rana Kumbha was a prolific patron of arts and architecture. He wrote Rasik Priya, a commentary on Gita Govinda, and another commentary on Sangit Ratnakar. The Kirti Stambha Prashasti records his various military triumphs, while the Achalgarh Fort on Mount Abu was one of many structures he reconstructed. These works collectively illustrate the intellectual and defensive heights achieved during his long reign.
Q23. Given below are two statements, one labelled as
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): Rana Sanga was defeated by Babur at the Battle of Khanwa in 1527.
Reason (R): Babur possessed a superior cavalry force and used artillery along with the Tulughma formation effectively.
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): Rana Sanga was defeated by Babur at the Battle of Khanwa in 1527.
Reason (R): Babur possessed a superior cavalry force and used artillery along with the Tulughma formation effectively.
Explanation
Babur’s victory at the Battle of Khanwa was largely due to his superior military technology and tactical innovations. He effectively used field artillery and matchlocks, which were unfamiliar to the Rajput forces. Additionally, the Tulughma formation allowed his cavalry to encircle the enemy from the flanks. These elements combined to overcome the numerical superiority of Rana Sanga’s traditional Rajput and Afghan confederacy.
Q24. Which among the following best describes the principle of "Sulh-i-Kul" as applied in Akbar’s Rajput policy?
Explanation
The principle of Sulh-i-Kul, meaning universal peace, was the cornerstone of Akbar’s religious and political policy. It promoted tolerance and integration by treating all subjects equally, regardless of their faith. In the context of Rajputana, this allowed Rajput rulers to maintain their religious traditions while serving as high-ranking officials. This inclusive approach fostered a sense of loyalty and helped stabilize the empire.
Q25. Which of the following statements regarding the Battle of Haldighati is incorrect?
Explanation
The Battle of Haldighati, fought in June 1576, was a fierce engagement between the Mughal forces and the army of Mewar. Although the Mughal army led by Man Singh technically held the field, Maharana Pratap was not captured. He successfully retreated into the Aravalli hills to continue his resistance. The battle is also famous for the sacrifice of his legendary horse, Chetak.
Q26. Consider the following statements regarding Maharana Pratap’s actions after the Battle of Haldighati:
I. He successfully defeated the Mughal garrison at Dewair in 1582.
II. He established his new capital at Chawand.
III. He surrendered to Akbar in 1597 out of exhaustion.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. He successfully defeated the Mughal garrison at Dewair in 1582.
II. He established his new capital at Chawand.
III. He surrendered to Akbar in 1597 out of exhaustion.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
After the Battle of Haldighati, Maharana Pratap reorganized his forces and shifted to guerrilla warfare. His victory at the Battle of Dewair in 1582 marked a significant resurgence, allowing him to reclaim much of Mewar. He eventually established a new capital at Chawand, where he spent his final years. He never surrendered to Akbar, maintaining his independence until his death in 1597.
Q27. The death of Maharaja Jaswant Singh of Marwar at Jamrud in 1678 directly led to which of the following events?
Explanation
The death of Maharaja Jaswant Singh in 1678 triggered a major political crisis when Aurangzeb attempted to bring Marwar under direct Mughal control. This move ignored the claims of Jaswant Singh’s infant son, Ajit Singh, and led to the 30- year Rathore rebellion. Led by Durgadas Rathore, this prolonged conflict significantly drained Mughal resources and permanently damaged the relationship between the two powers.
Q28. Consider the following events related to the Rathore resistance against Aurangzeb:
I. Death of Maharaja Jaswant Singh
II. Escape of Ajit Singh from Delhi with the help of Durgadas Rathore
III. Imposition of Jizya by Aurangzeb
Arrange them in correct chronological order.
I. Death of Maharaja Jaswant Singh
II. Escape of Ajit Singh from Delhi with the help of Durgadas Rathore
III. Imposition of Jizya by Aurangzeb
Arrange them in correct chronological order.
Explanation
The Rathore resistance followed a specific timeline starting with the death of Maharaja Jaswant Singh in November 1678. Following this, Aurangzeb imposed the Jizya tax in April 1679, further alienating the Rajputs. The crisis escalated when Durgadas Rathore successfully helped the infant Ajit Singh escape from Delhi in July 1679. These events together fueled a long period of intense anti-Mughal struggle in Marwar.
Q29. The Hurda Conference (1734) was convened primarily with the objective of:
Explanation
The Hurda Conference was organized in July 1734 by prominent Rajput rulers to address the growing threat of Maratha incursions. As the Mughal Empire weakened, Maratha forces increasingly raided Rajput territories for tribute. The conference aimed to create a unified military front among states like Mewar, Jaipur, and Marwar to drive out the Marathas and protect the sovereignty of the Rajputana region.
Q30. Match List I: (British Official/Governor General) with List II: (Policy/Event in Rajasthan) and select the correct answer.
| British Official/Governor General | Policy/Event in Rajasthan |
|---|---|
| A. Lord Wellesley | i. Negotiated the Subsidiary Alliances with Rajput States in 1817-18 |
| B. Charles Metcalfe | ii. First Political Agent to Western Rajput States |
| C. Lord Hastings | iii. Initiated the policy of Subordinate Isolation |
| D. Colonel James Tod | iv. Attempted early treaties with Alwar and Bharatpur |
Explanation
Lord Wellesley initiated early defensive treaties with states like Alwar, while Charles Metcalfe was the primary negotiator for the extensive Subsidiary Alliances of 1817-18. Lord Hastings formalised the policy of Subordinate Isolation to bring Rajputana under British protection. Colonel James Tod served as the first Political Agent, meticulously documenting the history and geography of the Western Rajput states during his tenure.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 21 | (c) Kumbhalgarh Prashasti |
| 22 | (a) A-ii, B-iii, C-i, D-iv |
| 23 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 24 | (a) Universal peace and religious tolerance leading to political integration. |
| 25 | (c) Maharana Pratap was captured alive by the Mughal forces at the end of the battle. |
| 26 | (a) I and II only |
| 27 | (d) The start of the 30-year Rathore rebellion against the Mughal Empire. |
| 28 | (b) I, III, II |
| 29 | (c) Uniting Rajput rulers to check the expanding Maratha incursions. |
| 30 | (a) A-iv, B-i, C-iii, D-ii |
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.