Q31. Which of the following astronomical tables was compiled under the patronage of Sawai Jai Singh II to correct the planetary positions?
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 31–40 of 93 questions
Q32. Consider the following locations:
I. Jaipur
II. Delhi
III. Ujjain
IV. Mathura
V. Varanasi In which of the above locations did Sawai Jai Singh II build astronomical observatories (Jantar Mantar)?
I. Jaipur
II. Delhi
III. Ujjain
IV. Mathura
V. Varanasi In which of the above locations did Sawai Jai Singh II build astronomical observatories (Jantar Mantar)?
Explanation
To advance the study of astronomy, Sawai Jai Singh II constructed five magnificent astronomical observatories, collectively known as Jantar Mantar. These were located in the major cities of Jaipur, Delhi, Ujjain, Mathura, and Varanasi. Each site featured massive stone instruments capable of measuring time, predicting eclipses, and tracking celestial bodies with remarkable precision. These structures remain a testament to his vision.
Q33. Which of the following Vedic rituals was NOT performed by Sawai Jai Singh II, despite his strong inclination toward Hindu revivalism?
Explanation
Sawai Jai Singh II was a supporter of Hindu traditions and performed several ancient Vedic rituals to assert his political authority. He successfully conducted the Ashwamedha Yajna and the Vajapeya Yajna, which were rare for his time. However, there is no historical record of him performing the Rajasuya Yajna. His performance of these elaborate ceremonies was part of a larger religious effort.
Q34. Who was the chief architect and city planner of Jaipur under Sawai Jai Singh II?
Explanation
The city of Jaipur was designed by the brilliant Bengali architect and scholar, Vidyadhar Bhattacharya. Working under the guidance of Sawai Jai Singh II, he utilized principles from the Shilpa Shastra and Vastu Shastra to create a city with wide roads and symmetrical blocks. His planning emphasized both aesthetic beauty and functional efficiency, making Jaipur a landmark of Indian urban planning design.
Q35. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer:
| Rajput Ruler | Contemporary Event/Contribution |
|---|---|
| A. Rana Kumbha | i. Construction of Qila Rai Pithora |
| B. Sawai Jai Singh II | ii. Formulation of Zij-i Muhammad Shahi |
| C. Durgadas Rathore | iii. Construction of Vijay Stambha |
| D. Prithviraj Chauhan | iv. Debari Agreement |
Explanation
Significant rulers of Rajasthan are associated with major historical milestones. Rana Kumbha built the Vijay Stambha to mark his victory. Sawai Jai Singh II is credited with the astronomical work Zij-i Muhammad Shahi.
Q36. Which of the following instruments at the Jantar Mantar observatory in Jaipur is considered the world’s largest stone sundial?
Explanation
Within the Jantar Mantar observatory in Jaipur, the Samrat Yantra stands as the most impressive instrument. It is widely considered the world’s largest stone sundial, reaching a height of nearly twenty-seven meters. The instrument can measure local time with an accuracy of two seconds. Its massive gnomon and curved scales reflect the sophisticated understanding of celestial mechanics achieved by the team.
Q37. The revolutionary freedom fighter Arjun Lal Sethi was born in which city of Rajasthan?
Explanation
Arjun Lal Sethi, a pioneering revolutionary and freedom fighter, was born in Jaipur. He chose to dedicate his life to the cause of national independence, famously turning down a high-ranking administrative position in the state. Sethi became a central figure in the early nationalist movement in Rajasthan, focusing on educating the youth and instilling a spirit of sacrifice and resistance against rule.
Q38. Consider the following institutions and texts:
I. Jain Vardhaman Vidyalaya
II. Mahendra Kumar
III. Shudra Mukti
IV. Chetawani ra Chungatya
Which of the above are correctly associated with Arjun Lal Sethi?
I. Jain Vardhaman Vidyalaya
II. Mahendra Kumar
III. Shudra Mukti
IV. Chetawani ra Chungatya
Which of the above are correctly associated with Arjun Lal Sethi?
Explanation
Arjun Lal Sethi was a prolific writer and an influential educator. He founded the Jain Vardhaman Vidyalaya to train young men for the freedom struggle. His literary works include ‘Mahendra Kumar’ and ‘Shudra Mukti’, which addressed social and political issues. However, the famous work ‘Chetawani ra Chungatya’ was written by Kesari Singh Barhath, not Sethi. His contributions were vital for consciousness.
Q39. "If Sethi does the state’s job, who will drive the British out of India?" Who uttered this famous statement?
Explanation
Arjun Lal Sethi made the famous declaration, "If Sethi does the state’s job, who will drive the British out of India?" when he was offered the position of Diwan by the Maharaja of Jaipur. This statement reflects his selfless commitment to the Indian independence movement over personal power. His refusal to serve the princely state highlighted his revolutionary zeal and national liberation.
Q40. Identify the incorrect statement regarding Arjun Lal Sethi.
Explanation
Arjun Lal Sethi was deeply involved in the revolutionary Nimej murder case and suffered long imprisonment in Vellore. In his final years, he lived in Ajmer, promoting communal harmony while teaching at a Dargah. However, he was not a founding member of the Marwar Praja Mandal; his primary political activities were centered in Jaipur and Ajmer. His legacy is that of commitment.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 31 | (c) Zij-i Muhammad Shahi |
| 32 | (d) I, II, III, IV and V |
| 33 | (c) Rajasuya Yajna |
| 34 | (b) Vidyadhar Bhattacharya |
| 35 | (a) A-iii, B-ii, C-iv, D-i |
| 36 | (a) Samrat Yantra |
| 37 | (c) Jaipur |
| 38 | (a) I, II and III only |
| 39 | (d) Arjun Lal Sethi |
| 40 | (c) He was a founding member of the Marwar Praja Mandal. |
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.