Q1. Who among the following was the commander of Maharana Pratap’s Bhil army during the Battle of Haldighati?
Leading Personalities of Rajasthan: RAS Prelims MCQs
93 RAS Prelims MCQs on leading personalities of Rajasthan ask about rulers, soldiers, scholars and revolutionaries. Maharana Pratap and his allies, Rana Kumbha’s works, Durgadas Rathore, Sawai Jai Singh II and the revolutionaries Arjun Lal Sethi and Kesari Singh Barhath are the main subjects, so learn each person with their best-known deed, place and date.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
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Q2. Against which Mughal commander did Maharana Pratap fight the Battle of Dewair in 1582, marking a major turning point in his resistance?
Explanation
The Battle of Dewair in 1582 was a pivotal moment in the resistance led by Maharana Pratap against Mughal expansion. He successfully defeated the Mughal commander Sultan Khan during this conflict. This victory allowed the Maharana to reclaim significant portions of Mewar territory and boosted the morale of his forces against Emperor Akbar’s imperial army, marking a strategic turning point.
Q3. Which of the following statements regarding Maharana Pratap is incorrect?
Explanation
Although Maharana Pratap fought relentlessly throughout his life to preserve the independence of Mewar, he was never able to recover the fort of Chittorgarh from the Mughals. He successfully reclaimed most other regions and established Chawand as his final capital. His legacy remains defined by his refusal to submit to imperial authority despite losing his ancestral stronghold to the enemy.
Q4. Which of the following was the correct sequence of envoys sent by Akbar to negotiate with Maharana Pratap before the Battle of Haldighati?
Explanation
Before engaging in the Battle of Haldighati, Emperor Akbar attempted to bring Maharana Pratap under Mughal sovereignty through diplomatic negotiations. He sent four successive envoys to convince him: Jalal Khan Korchi, Kunwar Man Singh, Raja Bhagwant Das, and Raja Todar Mal. Despite these missions, the Maharana steadfastly refused to accept Mughal suzerainty, leading eventually to open warfare in 1576.
Q5. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
| Personality | Title/Epithet |
|---|---|
| A. Maharana Pratap | i. Abhinav Bharatacharya |
| B. Rana Kumbha | ii. Kika |
| C. Prithviraj Chauhan | iii. Ulysses of Rajputana |
| D. Durgadas Rathore | iv. Rai Pithora |
Explanation
Rajasthan’s history is filled with leaders known by distinctive titles. Maharana Pratap was affectionately called Kika by the local Bhils. Rana Kumbha earned the title Abhinav Bharatacharya for his profound knowledge of music and art. Prithviraj Chauhan III was known as Rai Pithora, while Durgadas Rathore was described as the Ulysses of Rajputana for his persistent and strategic military struggle.
Q6. The painting style that flourished under Maharana Pratap’s patronage during his later years is known as:
Explanation
During the final years of his reign, Maharana Pratap established Chawand as his capital after the Battle of Dewair. This period saw the emergence of a distinct school of painting known as the Chawand style. Nasiruddin was a prominent painter of this school, and his work, particularly the Ragamala series, represents the early development of specific Mewari artistic traditions.
Q7. Who among the following assisted Maharana Pratap financially when he was living in the Aravali hills after losing his territory?
Explanation
Bhamashah was a legendary financier and minister who provided immense wealth to Maharana Pratap when the latter faced severe financial constraints in the Aravali hills. This contribution allowed the Maharana to reorganize his army and continue his prolonged resistance against the Mughals. Bhamashah’s selflessness made him a symbol of ultimate devotion and sacrifice in the history of Rajasthan and Mewar.
Q8. Rana Kumbha built the famous ‘Vijay Stambha’ (Tower of Victory) at Chittorgarh to commemorate his victory over which ruler?
Explanation
Rana Kumbha constructed the magnificent Vijay Stambha, or Tower of Victory, at Chittorgarh Fort to celebrate his victory over Mahmud Khalji of Malwa in the Battle of Sarangpur. This nine-story tower is an architectural masterpiece dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is covered with intricate carvings of Hindu deities. It remains a symbol of Mewar’s military prowess and cultural achievement during the 15th century.
Q9. Consider the following texts:
I. Rasik Priya
II. Sudha Prabandh
III. Kamraj Ratisar
IV. Sangit Ratnakar
Which of the above literary works were authored by Rana Kumbha?
I. Rasik Priya
II. Sudha Prabandh
III. Kamraj Ratisar
IV. Sangit Ratnakar
Which of the above literary works were authored by Rana Kumbha?
Explanation
Rana Kumbha was a prolific scholar and writer in addition to being a powerful ruler. He authored several important literary and musical works, including Rasik Priya, which is a commentary on Jayadeva’s Gita Govinda, and Sudha Prabandh. He also wrote Kamraj Ratisar, exploring the science of erotics. These compositions highlight his deep intellectual interests and his significant contributions to Indian culture.
Q10. Identify the correct statement regarding Rana Kumbha’s architectural legacy.
Explanation
Rana Kumbha is renowned for his extensive fortification of Mewar. Historical accounts credit him with constructing or renovating thirty-two out of the eighty-four major fortresses in the region to protect his kingdom from invasions. His most famous architectural achievement is the Kumbhalgarh Fort, which features a massive defensive wall. These fortifications demonstrate his strategic vision and the immense resources available.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 1 | (b) Rana Punja |
| 2 | (a) Sultan Khan |
| 3 | (c) He successfully recaptured the fort of Chittorgarh before his death. |
| 4 | (a) Jalal Khan, Man Singh, Bhagwant Das, Todar Mal |
| 5 | (a) A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii |
| 6 | (b) Chawand style |
| 7 | (d) Bhamashah |
| 8 | (b) Mahmud Khalji of Malwa |
| 9 | (a) I, II and III only |
| 10 | (c) He constructed 32 out of the 84 fortresses in the defense of Mewar. |
Key facts from Leading Personalities of Rajasthan
- Rana Punja led the Bhil army of Maharana Pratap at Haldighati; Bhamashah helped him financially.
- Maharana Pratap fought the Battle of Dewair in 1582 against Sultan Khan; the Chawand style of painting flourished under his patronage.
- The Awal-Bawal treaty of 1453 settled the boundary between Mewar and Marwar in Kumbha’s reign.
- Rana Kumbha was assassinated in 1468 by his own son Uda (Udaikaran).
- James Tod called Durgadas Rathore the Ulysses of Rajputana.
- Sawai Jai Singh II compiled the Zij-i Muhammad Shahi; Vidyadhar Bhattacharya was the chief architect of Jaipur.
- Kesari Singh Barhath wrote Chetawani ra Chungatya, and Arjun Lal Sethi founded the Jain Vardhaman Vidyalaya in 1907.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Leading Personalities of Rajasthan?
This page has 93 practice MCQs on Leading Personalities of Rajasthan (Rajasthan History, Art and Culture). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Who planned the city of Jaipur?
Vidyadhar Bhattacharya was the chief architect and city planner under Sawai Jai Singh II. Jaipur, founded in the eighteenth century, was laid out on a regular grid of wide streets and is among the earliest planned cities of India.
What is Chetawani ra Chungatya?
A set of thirteen sorathas written by Kesari Singh Barhath to deter Maharana Fateh Singh of Mewar from attending the Delhi Durbar. The verses reminded the Maharana of the proud tradition of Mewar and its refusal to bow to outside rulers.
Who is called the Ulysses of Rajputana?
Durgadas Rathore, according to the historian James Tod. Durgadas protected the infant Ajit Singh of Marwar from the Mughals after the death of Jaswant Singh and led the long Rathore resistance, which won him the comparison with the wandering hero of Greek epic.