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 31–40 of 119 questions
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Cooperation and Resistance with Central Power
Q31. Consider the following statements about the resistance of Gurjara-Pratiharas against Arab invasions: I. Nagabhata I defeated a large Arab army sent by Junaid. II. The Gwalior Inscription provides details of Nagabhata’s victory over the ‘Mlechchas’. III. Mihira Bhoja was easily defeated by the Arabs of Sindh. IV. The strong Pratihara empire acted as a bulwark against Islamic expansion in India for nearly 300 years. Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
The Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty was instrumental in defending India against early Islamic expansion. While Nagabhata I and later rulers like Mihira Bhoja successfully resisted Arab forces, historical accounts do not support the idea that Mihira Bhoja was easily defeated by the Arabs of Sindh. On the contrary, Arab travelers like Sulaiman noted the Pratihara Empire’s formidable military strength and its role as a barrier.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Cooperation and Resistance with Central Power
Q32. Who among the following was the ambitious ruler of the Ghurid dynasty who sought to expand his empire into India, eventually clashing with the Chauhans?
Explanation
Mu’izz al-Din Muhammad Ghori was the ambitious Ghurid ruler who aimed to establish a permanent Islamic empire in India. Unlike earlier raiders who focused on plunder, Ghori sought territorial conquest. His expansionist drive led to direct conflict with Prithviraj Chauhan, the powerful ruler of the Shakambhari Chauhan dynasty, eventually resulting in the decisive battles at Tarain that changed Indian political history.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Cooperation and Resistance with Central Power
Q33. Given below are two statements, one labelled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R). Assertion (A): Prithviraj Chauhan is often criticized by historians for his actions following the First Battle of Tarain. Reason (R): He allowed Muhammad Ghori’s defeated army to retreat freely and did not consolidate his frontier defenses.
Explanation
Historians often argue that Prithviraj Chauhan’s failure to pursue Muhammad Ghori’s defeated army after the First Battle of Tarain was a strategic blunder. By allowing the Ghurid forces to retreat safely to Ghazni, he gave Ghori time to reorganize and return with a more effective strategy. This lack of military foresight and failure to strengthen border defenses directly contributed to the subsequent defeat.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Cooperation and Resistance with Central Power
Q34. The military concept of the "Tulughma" tactic, which proved devastating to Rajput armies, is best described as:
Explanation
The Tulughma tactic was a sophisticated military maneuver used by Central Asian commanders like Babur. It involved dividing the army into different units, where the flanking wings would sweep around the enemy’s main body to attack from the rear and sides. This encirclement, combined with the use of mobile archers and artillery, proved highly effective against the traditional frontal charges of Rajput armies.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Cooperation and Resistance with Central Power
Q35. Match List I: (Rajput Fort) with List II: (New Name given by Alauddin Khilji) and select the correct answer.
Rajput Fort
New Name given by Alauddin Khilji
A. Chittorgarh
i. Khairabad
B. Siwana
ii. Khizrabad
C. Jalore
iii. Jalalabad
D. Ranthambore
iv. Not renamed
Explanation
After his successful sieges, Alauddin Khilji often renamed the conquered Rajput strongholds to mark his authority. Chittorgarh was renamed Khizrabad after his son, Khizr Khan, while Siwana became Khairabad. Jalore was designated as Jalalabad following its fall.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Cooperation and Resistance with Central Power
Q36. Which of the following statements about Rana Hammir of Mewar is incorrect?
Explanation
Rana Hammir of Mewar is known for restoring the Guhila dynasty through the Sisodia branch after the fall of Chittor. He is celebrated for defeating the forces of the Delhi Sultanate at the Battle of Singoli. He was not defeated by Alauddin Khilji; rather, it was Rawal Ratan Singh who lost Chittor to Khilji in 1303, decades before Hammir’s successful reconquest.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Cooperation and Resistance with Central Power
Q37. Consider the following statements regarding the reign of Rana Kumbha: I. He defeated Mahmud Khalji of Malwa. II. He suppressed the rebellion of his brother Khemkaran. III. He successfully defended Mewar against the joint invasion by Malwa and Gujarat under the Treaty of Champaner. IV. He was an accomplished veena player. V. He was assassinated by his own son, Uda. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Rana Kumbha’s reign was a golden era for Mewar, marked by military victories and cultural growth. He defeated the Sultan of Malwa and successfully defended his kingdom against joint invasions from Malwa and Gujarat. A multifaceted individual, he was a skilled musician and a prolific builder of forts. His tragic end came through assassination by his own son, Uda, in 1468.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Cooperation and Resistance with Central Power
Q38. Which of the following leaders was NOT a part of the confederacy led by Rana Sanga at the Battle of Khanwa?
Explanation
Rana Sanga led a formidable confederacy of various Indian rulers at the Battle of Khanwa in 1527. This alliance included prominent figures like Hasan Khan Mewati, Mahmud Lodi, and Medini Rai of Chanderi, who all aimed to stop Babur’s expansion. Sikandar Lodi, however, was not part of this coalition as he had died years earlier, in 1517, before Babur’s major Indian campaigns.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Cooperation and Resistance with Central Power
Q39. Read the following statements and select the correct option. Statement I: The ruler of Amber, Bharmal, voluntarily submitted to Akbar in 1562 at Sanganer. Statement II: This submission was heavily criticized by all other Rajput states, leading to an immediate united Rajput war against Amber.
Explanation
In 1562, Raja Bharmal of Amber became the first Rajput ruler to voluntarily submit to Akbar, sealing the alliance with a matrimonial bond. While this move was a strategic decision to protect his kingdom from local rivals and Mughal pressure, it did not lead to an immediate united war by other Rajput states against Amber. Over time, many other states followed similar paths.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Cooperation and Resistance with Central Power
Q40. Select the correct sequence of the traditional Rajput battle formation deployed by Maharana Pratap at Haldighati (from front to rear):
Explanation
Traditional Rajput battle formations were organized into specific sections to maximize defensive and offensive capabilities. The Harawal served as the vanguard, bearing the initial brunt of the attack. The Ghol represented the central core where the main body of troops and the leader were positioned. The Chandawal acted as the rearguard, providing support and protecting the army’s rear during the engagement.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
31
(b) III only
32
(b) Mu’izz al-Din Muhammad Ghori
33
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
34
(a) A maneuver where the wings encircle the enemy’s rear.
35
(a) A-ii, B-i, C-iii, D-iv
36
(d) He was decisively defeated by Alauddin Khilji and died defending Chittor.
37
(d) I, II, III, IV and V
38
(b) Sikandar Lodi
39
(a) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect.
40
(c) Vanguard (Harawal), Center (Ghol), Rearguard (Chandawal)
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.
