Q71. Maharana Pratap’s "scorched earth" policy during his resistance against the Mughals involved:
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 71–80 of 119 questions
Q72. Match List I: (Mughal Emperor) with List II: (Rajput Ruler who served as a prominent general/ally) and select the correct answer.
| Mughal Emperor | Rajput Ruler who served as a prominent general/ally |
|---|---|
| A. Akbar | i. Mirza Raja Jai Singh (early campaigns) |
| B. Shah Jahan | ii. Raja Man Singh |
| C. Aurangzeb | iii. Maharaja Jaswant Singh (initial part of reign) |
| D. Jahangir | iv. Raja Sur Singh of Marwar |
Explanation
Rajput rulers played vital roles as generals and allies under different Mughal emperors.
Q73. Read the following statements and select the correct option.
Statement I: Upon the death of Maharaja Jaswant Singh, Aurangzeb immediately recognized his infant son Ajit Singh as the legitimate ruler of Marwar.
Statement II: Aurangzeb brought Marwar under ‘Khalisa’ (direct crown land) administration, triggering the Rathore rebellion.
Statement I: Upon the death of Maharaja Jaswant Singh, Aurangzeb immediately recognized his infant son Ajit Singh as the legitimate ruler of Marwar.
Statement II: Aurangzeb brought Marwar under ‘Khalisa’ (direct crown land) administration, triggering the Rathore rebellion.
Explanation
Following the death of Maharaja Jaswant Singh in 1678, Aurangzeb refused to recognize his infant son Ajit Singh as the ruler of Marwar. Instead, he placed the state under ‘Khalisa’ administration, meaning it was directly controlled by the Mughal crown. This provocative move was a primary cause of the long-standing Rathore rebellion, as the local nobility fought to restore their dynasty.
Q74. Which of the following Rajput states was NOT represented at the Hurda Conference of 1734?
Explanation
The Hurda Conference of 1734 saw the participation of several major Rajput states, including Mewar, Jaipur, and Jodhpur, who sought to unite against Maratha expansion. However, the desert kingdom of Jaisalmer was not represented at this gathering. The absence of certain states and the internal rivalries among the participants eventually hampered the conference’s goal of creating a truly effective and unified front.
Q75. Consider the following features of the Subsidiary Alliances signed by the Rajput states with the British:
I. The British promised to protect the states from external enemies.
II. The rulers were allowed to independently negotiate with other foreign powers.
III. The states had to pay tribute (khiraj) to the British.
IV. A British political agent was stationed at the Rajput courts.
V. Internal autonomy of the rulers was theoretically guaranteed.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. The British promised to protect the states from external enemies.
II. The rulers were allowed to independently negotiate with other foreign powers.
III. The states had to pay tribute (khiraj) to the British.
IV. A British political agent was stationed at the Rajput courts.
V. Internal autonomy of the rulers was theoretically guaranteed.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Subsidiary Alliances signed between the British and Rajput states typically included several key features. The British provided external protection and a guarantee of internal autonomy, while the states agreed to pay an annual tribute. A British political agent was stationed at each court to oversee relations. Rulers were prohibited from entering into independent negotiations with other foreign powers, effectively surrendering their external sovereignty.
Q76. Consider the following statements regarding Bappa Rawal of Mewar:
I. He is considered the real founder of the Guhila state of Mewar.
II. He captured Chittor from the Mauryas (Moris).
III. He successfully repelled Arab invasions.
IV. He issued gold coins bearing Shaivite symbols.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
I. He is considered the real founder of the Guhila state of Mewar.
II. He captured Chittor from the Mauryas (Moris).
III. He successfully repelled Arab invasions.
IV. He issued gold coins bearing Shaivite symbols.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
Bappa Rawal is historically recognized as the true founder of the Guhila state in Mewar. He is credited with capturing the strategic fort of Chittor from the Mauryas and successfully repelling early Arab invasions into the region. His religious devotion is reflected in the gold coins he issued, which featured Shaivite symbols, underscoring the long-standing connection between the Mewar dynasty and Shaivism.
Q77. Which Rajput ruler is credited with defeating the Ghaznavid army near Ajmer and subsequently constructing the Anasagar Lake to cleanse the land of their blood?
Explanation
Arnoraja, the Chauhan ruler of Ajmer, is celebrated for his military victory over a Ghaznavid army in the early twelfth century. To commemorate this event and to purify the site where the battle occurred, he commissioned the construction of the Anasagar Lake. This architectural landmark in modern-day Ajmer stands as a testament to his success in defending the kingdom against foreign incursions.
Q78. Which of the following statements accurately characterizes the geopolitical situation in Northern India just before the First Battle of Tarain?
Explanation
Prior to the First Battle of Tarain, the geopolitical landscape was tense as the Ghurid and Chauhan empires shared a volatile border in the Punjab region. Muhammad Ghori’s expansion into the Indian subcontinent directly threatened the territories of Prithviraj Chauhan. This proximity made conflict inevitable, as both powers sought to assert their dominance over the strategic gateways leading into the heart of North India.
Q79. Which of the following details regarding the Second Battle of Tarain is historically incorrect?
Explanation
Historical accounts confirm that the Second Battle of Tarain in 1192 resulted in a catastrophic defeat for the Chauhans. Contrary to some myths, Prithviraj Chauhan was captured and executed shortly after the battle, and his imperial power was permanently destroyed. The Ghurid victory ended the era of Chauhan dominance and paved the way for the establishment of the first Islamic sultanate in Delhi.
Q80. Identify the correctly matched pair regarding Rajput resistance against the Delhi Sultanate:
Explanation
Hammir Deva Chauhan was the legendary ruler of Ranthambore who led a heroic resistance against the forces of Alauddin Khilji. His refusal to surrender Mongol refugees led to a famous siege that ended in 1301. Hammir Deva is remembered in Rajput history for his unwavering commitment to his word and his brave defense, which ultimately ended in the first recorded Jauhar at Ranthambore.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 71 | (d) Destroying crops and depopulating plains to deny invader resources. |
| 72 | (a) A-ii, B-i, C-iii, D-iv |
| 73 | (b) Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct. |
| 74 | (a) Jaisalmer |
| 75 | (a) I, III, IV and V only |
| 76 | (c) None of the above |
| 77 | (c) Arnoraja |
| 78 | (d) The Ghurid and Chauhan empires shared a volatile Punjab border. |
| 79 | (a) Prithviraj Chauhan managed to retreat successfully and ruled Ajmer for another two decades. |
| 80 | (b) Ranthambore - Hammir Deva Chauhan |
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.