Q81. All of the following were military achievements of Rana Hammir EXCEPT:
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 81–90 of 119 questions
Q82. What was the most appropriate reason for the constant military conflict between Rana Kumbha of Mewar and the Sultans of Malwa and Gujarat?
Explanation
The persistent military conflicts between Rana Kumbha and the neighboring Sultanates of Malwa and Gujarat were primarily driven by strategic interests. Control over the Hadoti region and other border territories was essential for maintaining regional dominance and securing trade routes. These geopolitical rivalries, rather than purely religious motivations, fueled the frequent campaigns and the eventual formation of alliances against the powerful kingdom of Mewar.
Q83. Read the following statements and select the correct option.
Statement I: The Battle of Khanwa is considered more decisive than the First Battle of Panipat.
Statement II: At Khanwa, Babur faced a formidable coalition of Rajput and Afghan forces which posed a much greater threat to his nascent empire than Ibrahim Lodi did.
Statement I: The Battle of Khanwa is considered more decisive than the First Battle of Panipat.
Statement II: At Khanwa, Babur faced a formidable coalition of Rajput and Afghan forces which posed a much greater threat to his nascent empire than Ibrahim Lodi did.
Explanation
The Battle of Khanwa is often viewed as more historically significant than the First Battle of Panipat. While Panipat saw the defeat of a single sultan, Khanwa involved a large confederacy of Rajputs and Afghans led by Rana Sanga. This coalition posed a much greater existential threat to Babur’s new empire, and his victory at Khanwa effectively removed the last major organized opposition.
Q84. The concept of "Watan Jagir" introduced during Akbar’s reign for Rajput chiefs meant:
Explanation
The "Watan Jagir" was a unique administrative concept introduced by Akbar to integrate Rajput rulers into the Mughal system. It allowed these chiefs to hold their ancestral territories as hereditary, non-transferable jagirs. This ensured that while they served the empire and received ranks, their core kingdom remained under their family’s control. This policy was essential for maintaining Rajput loyalty and internal stability.
Q85. Find the odd one out in the context of commanders who fought on behalf of Maharana Pratap at Haldighati:
Explanation
During the Battle of Haldighati, Maharana Pratap’s army was supported by several dedicated commanders, including Hakim Khan Sur and the Bhil leader Poonja. These individuals represented the diverse coalition fighting for Mewar’s independence. Asaf Khan, however, was a prominent general on the opposing Mughal side, serving under the command of Man Singh, making him the odd one out in this particular context.
Q86. What was the effect of Maharana Pratap’s victory at the Battle of Dewair (1582)?
Explanation
Maharana Pratap’s victory at the Battle of Dewair in 1582 was a pivotal moment in his resistance. It successfully dismantled the network of Mughal garrisons in the region and led to the rapid recovery of most of Mewar’s lost territories. This resurgence demonstrated the effectiveness of his guerrilla tactics and forced the Mughals onto the defensive, significantly boosting the morale of the Rajput forces.
Q87. In the context of the Mughal-Rajput relations, the term "Mansab" is best defined as:
Explanation
In the Mughal-Rajput administrative context, a "Mansab" was a specific rank that determined an individual’s status, salary, and military obligations within the imperial hierarchy. This system allowed the emperors to incorporate diverse elites, including Rajput rulers, into a centralized bureaucracy. By holding a mansab, a Rajput chief became a formal official of the empire, contributing to both its civil and military operations.
Q88. Who among the following Marwar rulers was popularly known as the ‘Saviour of Marwar’ for his lifelong struggle against Aurangzeb?
Explanation
Durgadas Rathore is widely revered as the ‘Saviour of Marwar’ due to his tireless three-decade struggle against Aurangzeb. His mission was to protect the legitimate claim of Ajit Singh to the Jodhpur throne after the death of Maharaja Jaswant Singh. His leadership and strategic brilliance kept the spirit of Rathore independence alive against the full might of the Mughal Empire during its peak.
Q89. The Maratha practice of exacting a quarter of the land revenue from neighboring territories, which severely impacted the economy of Rajput states in the 18th century, was called:
Explanation
In the eighteenth century, Maratha forces frequently raided Rajputana and demanded "Chauth," which was a payment equal to one-fourth of the land revenue. This practice was essentially a protection tax to prevent further raids. The constant financial burden of Chauth severely weakened the economies of various Rajput states, leading to widespread poverty and making them vulnerable to later British diplomatic interventions and alliances.
Q90. Which of the following statements about the treaties signed between the British and Rajput states (1817-18) is correct?
Explanation
The treaties signed between the British and Rajput states in 1817-18 established a relationship of subordinate cooperation. While the Rajput rulers acknowledged the absolute supremacy and paramountcy of the British Crown, they were generally allowed to retain control over their internal administration. These agreements ended the era of Maratha dominance and brought Rajputana into the British imperial system as a collection of princely states.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 81 | (b) Establishing permanent rule over the Malwa region. |
| 82 | (a) Strategic disputes over Hadoti and border territory control. |
| 83 | (c) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct. |
| 84 | (d) Hereditary grant of ancestral kingdoms as non-transferable jagirs. |
| 85 | (c) Asaf Khan |
| 86 | (b) The rapid recovery of most lost Mewar territories. |
| 87 | (d) A rank in the Mughal administrative and military hierarchy. |
| 88 | (a) Durgadas Rathore |
| 89 | (c) Chauth |
| 90 | (a) Rulers acknowledged British supremacy while retaining internal powers. |
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.