Q61. The Gurjara-Pratiharas are often described by medieval Arab historians as the greatest barrier to Islamic expansion. Which Arab traveler’s account explicitly notes the strength of the Pratihara cavalry and their hostility towards the Arabs?
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 61–70 of 119 questions
Q62. Which of the following pairs of historical text and author detailing early Rajput resistance is correctly matched?
Explanation
The Hammir Mahakavya, authored by the Jain scholar Nayanchandra Suri, is an important Sanskrit text that details the history of the Chauhans of Ranthambore. It focuses particularly on the life and heroic resistance of Hammir Deva against the invasions of Alauddin Khilji. This literary work provides a Rajput perspective on the siege and the cultural values of the time, emphasizing valor.
Q63. The immediate trigger for the First Battle of Tarain (1191) was the capture of which strategic fortress by Muhammad Ghori?
Explanation
The immediate cause of the First Battle of Tarain in 1191 was Muhammad Ghori’s capture of the strategic fortress of Tabarhind, also known as Bhatinda.
Q64. Consider the following factors attributed to the Rajput defeat in the Second Battle of Tarain:
I. Lack of a centralized standing army.
II. Disunity and lack of support from neighboring Hindu kingdoms like Kannauj.
III. Muhammad Ghori’s deceptive diplomatic maneuvers proposing a truce before attacking.
IV. The Rajput reliance on elephants against fast-moving Turkish cavalry.
V. Treachery by Prithviraj’s general, Skanda.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. Lack of a centralized standing army.
II. Disunity and lack of support from neighboring Hindu kingdoms like Kannauj.
III. Muhammad Ghori’s deceptive diplomatic maneuvers proposing a truce before attacking.
IV. The Rajput reliance on elephants against fast-moving Turkish cavalry.
V. Treachery by Prithviraj’s general, Skanda.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Several fireball-related factors contributed to the Rajput defeat at the Second Battle of Tarain, including the lack of a unified command and the absence of support from rival kingdoms like Kannauj. Muhammad Ghori also used deceptive diplomacy by feigning a desire for peace to catch the Rajputs off guard. Furthermore, the Rajput reliance on slow-moving elephants proved a disadvantage against the mobile Turkish cavalry.
Q65. Match List I: (Rajput Ruler) with List II: (Kingdom defended against Alauddin Khilji) and select the correct answer.
| Rajput Ruler | Kingdom defended against Alauddin Khilji |
|---|---|
| A. Hammir Deva | i. Jalore |
| B. Rawal Ratan Singh | ii. Chittor |
| C. Kanhad Dev | iii. Siwana |
| D. Sital Dev | iv. Ranthambore |
Explanation
During Alauddin Khilji’s campaigns, various Rajput rulers defended their respective kingdoms with great valor. Hammir Deva led the defense of Ranthambore, while Rawal Ratan Singh headed the resistance at Chittor. Kanhad Dev Sonigara defended Jalore against the Sultan’s forces, and Sital Dev was the ruler of Siwana during its siege. Each of these sieges ended in the fall of the forts after intense struggles.
Q66. Which of the following statements correctly describes the legacy of Rana Hammir of Mewar?
Explanation
Rana Hammir of Mewar left a lasting legacy by establishing the Sisodia branch of the Guhila dynasty. His successful reclamation of Chittorgarh from the Delhi Sultanate marked the beginning of Mewar’s resurgence as a major power in North India. He is remembered as a heroic figure who restored Rajput pride and sovereign authority through his military victories and administrative capabilities.
Q67. The assassination of Rana Kumbha by his son Uda in 1468 had which immediate effect on Mewar?
Explanation
The assassination of Rana Kumbha by his son Uda in 1468 led to a period of significant political instability in Mewar. Uda briefly usurped the throne but faced strong opposition from the nobility, who eventually supported Kumbha’s other son, Raimal. This internal strife weakened the kingdom’s defenses for a short time, although it did not lead to immediate conquest by external enemies.
Q68. Consider the following statements regarding the Rajput-Afghan alliance at the Battle of Khanwa:
I. Hasan Khan Mewati commanded a significant contingent supporting Rana Sanga.
II. Mahmud Lodi sought Rana Sanga’s help to reclaim the Delhi throne from Babur.
III. The alliance successfully destroyed Babur’s artillery.
IV. This was a rare instance of a combined Hindu-Muslim confederacy against a foreign invader.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
I. Hasan Khan Mewati commanded a significant contingent supporting Rana Sanga.
II. Mahmud Lodi sought Rana Sanga’s help to reclaim the Delhi throne from Babur.
III. The alliance successfully destroyed Babur’s artillery.
IV. This was a rare instance of a combined Hindu-Muslim confederacy against a foreign invader.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
At the Battle of Khanwa, a unique coalition of Rajput and Afghan forces united under Rana Sanga to oppose Babur. This alliance, which included Hasan Khan Mewati and Mahmud Lodi, demonstrated a common front against the Mughal invader. However, contrary to some expectations, the alliance did not succeed in destroying Babur’s artillery, which ultimately played a decisive role in the Rajput defeat.
Q69. Akbar’s policy of incorporating Rajput chiefs into the Mughal administrative machinery primarily utilized which system?
Explanation
Akbar effectively integrated Rajput chiefs into the Mughal state through the Mansabdari system. By assigning them specific military ranks and administrative roles, he ensured their loyalty and utilized their martial skills for the empire’s benefit. This system allowed Rajput rulers to maintain their status and internal autonomy while becoming integral components of the imperial hierarchy, contributing to the empire’s long-term stability.
Q70. Consider the following statements about the Battle of Haldighati:
I. It is often referred to as the "Thermopylae of Mewar" by Colonel James Tod.
II. The Imperial Mughal army outnumbered the forces of Maharana Pratap.
III. Maharana Pratap killed Kunwar Man Singh in personal combat during the battle.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. It is often referred to as the "Thermopylae of Mewar" by Colonel James Tod.
II. The Imperial Mughal army outnumbered the forces of Maharana Pratap.
III. Maharana Pratap killed Kunwar Man Singh in personal combat during the battle.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Colonel James Tod famously referred to the Battle of Haldighati as the "Thermopylae of Mewar," highlighting the heroic but vastly outnumbered defense by Maharana Pratap’s forces. The imperial Mughal army, commanded by Man Singh, possessed a significant numerical and technological advantage. Despite the strategic importance of the battle, Maharana Pratap was not killed or captured, allowing the spirit of Mewar’s resistance to survive.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 61 | (c) Sulaiman |
| 62 | (d) Hammir Mahakavya - Nayanchandra Suri |
| 63 | (a) Tabarhind (Bhatinda) |
| 64 | (a) I, II, III and IV only |
| 65 | (a) A-iv, B-ii, C-i, D-iii |
| 66 | (a) He established the Sisodia branch of the Guhila dynasty. |
| 67 | (c) It led to a period of political instability and a brief usurpation by Uda. |
| 68 | (b) III only |
| 69 | (c) Mansabdari system |
| 70 | (a) I and II only |
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.