Q21. Who among the following historians referred to Durgadas Rathore as the "Ulysses of Rajputana"?
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.
Showing 21–30 of 93 questions
Q22. Consider the following historical events associated with the Rathores of Marwar:
I. Birth of Ajit Singh
II. Death of Maharaja Jaswant Singh at Jamrud
III. Durgadas Rathore’s escape from Delhi with infant Ajit Singh
IV. Expulsion of Durgadas by Ajit Singh
Which of the following represents the correct chronological order?
I. Birth of Ajit Singh
II. Death of Maharaja Jaswant Singh at Jamrud
III. Durgadas Rathore’s escape from Delhi with infant Ajit Singh
IV. Expulsion of Durgadas by Ajit Singh
Which of the following represents the correct chronological order?
Explanation
The sequence of events in Marwar’s history began with the death of Maharaja Jaswant Singh at Jamrud in 1678. This was followed by the birth of his posthumous son, Ajit Singh. Durgadas Rathore then orchestrated a daring escape from Delhi with the infant prince to save him from Aurangzeb. Much later, after the restoration of the kingdom, Ajit Singh unfortunately expelled Durgadas.
Q23. Amar Singh Rathore, the famous folk hero of Nagaur, was the eldest son of which ruler of Marwar?
Explanation
Amar Singh Rathore was the eldest son of Maharaja Gaj Singh of Marwar. Although he was the rightful heir to the throne of Jodhpur, his father disinherited him in favor of his younger brother, Jaswant Singh, due to Amar Singh’s rebellious and hot-tempered nature. Despite losing his inheritance, Amar Singh became a celebrated folk hero through his bravery in the Mughal service.
Q24. The slaying of the Mir Bakhshi Salabat Khan in the imperial court of Agra is attributed to which Rajput hero?
Explanation
Amar Singh Rathore is famously known for his bold action in the imperial court of Agra, where he killed the Mughal Mir Bakhshi, Salabat Khan. The incident occurred after Salabat Khan insulted him for his long absence from the court. Amar Singh’s act of defiance inside the heart of the Mughal power became a symbol of Rajput pride and traditional honor.
Q25. The famous historical skirmish known as ‘Mateere Ki Rad’ (Battle of the Watermelon) occurred in 1644 between Amar Singh Rathore of Nagaur and which ruler of Bikaner?
Explanation
The unique conflict known as ‘Mateere Ki Rad’, or the Battle of the Watermelon, took place in 1644. It was fought between the forces of Amar Singh Rathore of Nagaur and Maharaja Karan Singh of Bikaner. The dispute originated from a watermelon vine that grew across the boundary of two villages. This minor incident escalated into a full-scale battle, reflecting intense territorial honor.
Q26. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer:
| Personality | Monument/Location associated with them |
|---|---|
| A. Amar Singh Rathore | i. Mangarh Hill |
| B. Durgadas Rathore | ii. Cenotaph at Ujjain |
| C. Maharana Pratap | iii. Cenotaph at Bandoli |
| D. Govind Guru | iv. 16-Pillared Cenotaph at Nagaur |
Explanation
Rajasthan contains numerous monuments dedicated to its heroes. Amar Singh Rathore’s memory is honored by a sixteen-pillared cenotaph in Nagaur. Durgadas Rathore’s cenotaph is located in Ujjain. Maharana Pratap’s final memorial is found at Bandoli. Govind Guru, the leader of the Bhagat movement, is closely associated with Mangarh Hill, the site of a tragic massacre during the struggle for tribal rights.
Q27. Identify the incorrect statement regarding Amar Singh Rathore.
Explanation
Amar Singh Rathore’s life is legendary, from his jump over the Agra fort walls on his horse Badal to his execution of Salabat Khan. His deeds are central to many Rajasthani ‘Khyals’ or folk plays. However, it was not Durgadas Rathore who retrieved his body from Agra Fort, as they lived in different periods. His remains were actually recovered by his followers.
Q28. Who deceitfully orchestrated the death of Amar Singh Rathore inside the Agra Fort?
Explanation
Amar Singh Rathore’s life ended through treachery inside the Agra Fort. His own brother-in-law, Arjun Gaur, deceitfully lured him through a narrow entrance where Amar Singh had to bend down. As he entered, Arjun Gaur stabbed him to death. This betrayal by a kinsman is a tragic element in the popular ballads that recount Amar Singh’s bravery and his final stand.
Q29. Consider the following statements regarding Amar Singh Rathore:
I. He successfully claimed the throne of Jodhpur after defeating his brother Jaswant Singh.
II. He showed immense bravery by jumping his horse over the walls of the Agra Fort.
III. His sister was married to the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
I. He successfully claimed the throne of Jodhpur after defeating his brother Jaswant Singh.
II. He showed immense bravery by jumping his horse over the walls of the Agra Fort.
III. His sister was married to the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
Amar Singh Rathore never claimed or occupied the throne of Jodhpur, as he was disinherited by his father in favor of his brother Jaswant Singh. While he was a high-ranking noble in the Mughal court, there is no historical evidence that his sister was married to Emperor Shah Jahan. His legend is primarily based on his extraordinary bravery and his dramatic escape.
Q30. Sawai Jai Singh II was the ruler of Amber (Jaipur). In which year did he lay the foundation of the modern city of Jaipur?
Explanation
Sawai Jai Singh II, the visionary ruler of Amber, laid the foundation of the modern city of Jaipur in 1727. He moved the capital from the hilly terrain of Amber to the plains to accommodate a growing population and provide better administration. The city was planned according to ancient Indian architectural principles and remains one of the earliest examples of a well-organized center.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 21 | (d) James Tod |
| 22 | (a) II, I, III, IV |
| 23 | (c) Maharaja Gaj Singh |
| 24 | (d) Amar Singh Rathore |
| 25 | (b) Maharaja Karan Singh |
| 26 | (a) A-iv, B-ii, C-iii, D-i |
| 27 | (d) His body was retrieved from Agra Fort by Durgadas Rathore. |
| 28 | (a) Arjun Gaur |
| 29 | (c) I and III only |
| 30 | (c) 1727 |
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.