120 RAS Prelims MCQs on the major dynasties of Rajasthan test rulers, capitals, battles, temples and treaties. The Gurjara-Pratiharas, the Chauhans (Chahamanas), the Guhilas of Mewar, the Rathores of Marwar and the Kachwahas of Amber and Jaipur each have their own set of facts to learn, and the explanations tie every ruler to the fort or city he is remembered for.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 11–20 of 120 questions
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Major Dynasties of Rajasthan
Q11. Given below are two statements, one labelled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R): Assertion (A): Surjan Hada of Bundi surrendered the Ranthambore Fort to Akbar in 1569 CE. Reason (R): The Hadas faced military pressure from the Mughals combined with the diplomatic efforts of Bhagwant Das and Man Singh. Which of the following is correct?
Explanation
Surjan Hada of Bundi surrendered the Ranthambore Fort to Akbar in 1569 after a prolonged siege. The surrender was not merely a result of military pressure but was facilitated by the diplomatic mediation of Bhagwant Das and Man Singh of Amber. These Kachwaha nobles persuaded the Hada ruler to accept Mughal suzerainty in exchange for favorable terms.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Major Dynasties of Rajasthan
Q12. Which Kachwaha ruler is credited with the construction of the Jantar Mantar observatories and the founding of Jaipur?
Explanation
Sawai Jai Singh II was a distinguished statesman, mathematician, and astronomer of the Kachwaha dynasty. He is renowned for founding the city of Jaipur in 1727, planned according to Vastu Shastra. Furthermore, he constructed five astronomical observatories, known as Jantar Mantars, across North India. His contributions represent a unique blend of traditional Indian scientific knowledge and contemporary architectural planning.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Major Dynasties of Rajasthan
Q13. The famous treatise "Kavya Mimamsa" was authored by Rajashekhara, who was the court poet of which major Rajput dynasty?
Explanation
Rajashekhara was an eminent Sanskrit poet and dramatist who graced the courts of the Gurjara- Pratihara emperors, specifically Mahendrapala I and Mahipala I. His works, such as Kavya Mimamsa and Karpuramanjari, provide valuable insights into the literary and cultural life of the ninth and tenth centuries. His presence at the court highlights the Pratihara dynasty’s role as major patrons.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Major Dynasties of Rajasthan
Q14. The Delwara Temples at Mount Abu, a pinnacle of Jain temple architecture, were primarily constructed under the patronage of which dynasty’s ministers?
Explanation
The Delwara Temples at Mount Abu are world-renowned for their extraordinary marble carvings and Jain architectural style. They were built between the eleventh and thirteenth centuries under the patronage of Vimala Shah and the brothers Vastupala and Tejapala. These individuals served as ministers to the Solanki rulers of Gujarat, who exercised political control over the Mount Abu region during that period.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Major Dynasties of Rajasthan
Q15. The decline of major Rajput dynasties in the late 12th and early 13th centuries can be primarily attributed to:
Explanation
The decline of major Rajput powers in the late twelfth century was primarily driven by political fragmentation and a lack of military unity. Continuous inter-clan rivalries prevented the formation of a cohesive defensive front against external threats. Additionally, the reliance on feudal levies rather than a centralized standing army made it difficult for them to counter mobile Turkic forces.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Major Dynasties of Rajasthan
Q16. Consider the following statements regarding the origin of Rajputs: I. G.H. Ojha supports the Solar and Lunar origin theory. II. V.A. Smith proposed the foreign origin theory linking them to Hunas and Scythians. III. D.R. Bhandarkar proposed the Gurjara origin theory. IV. Colonel James Tod completely rejected the foreign origin theory. Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
Historical theories regarding Rajput origins are diverse. G.H. Ojha argued for indigenous Vedic descent, while V.A. Smith and D.R. Bhandarkar proposed foreign or Gurjara links. However, the claim that Colonel James Tod rejected the foreign origin theory is incorrect. In fact, Tod was a leading proponent of the Scythian origin theory, suggesting that Rajputs descended from Central Asian tribes.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Major Dynasties of Rajasthan
Q17. The famous Tripartite Struggle for control over Kannauj involved the Gurjara-Pratiharas, the Palas, and the:
Explanation
The Tripartite Struggle was a century-long conflict for the control of Kannauj, the symbol of imperial sovereignty in North India. This competition involved the Gurjara-Pratiharas of Western India, the Palas of Bengal, and the Rashtrakutas of the Deccan. Each dynasty sought to establish hegemony over the fertile Gangetic plains, leading to a series of battles that eventually weakened all powers.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Major Dynasties of Rajasthan
Q18. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Paramara Rulers
Key Achievements/Titles
A. Vakpati Munja
i. Authored Samarangana Sutradhara
B. Sindhuraja
ii. Defeated by Tailapa II
C. Bhoja
iii. Built the Udayesvara Temple
D. Udayaditya
iv. Assumed the title Navasahasanka
Explanation
The Paramara rulers are distinguished by various achievements. Vakpati Munja was famously defeated and executed by the Western Chalukya king Tailapa II. His successor Sindhuraja assumed the title Navasahasanka. The polymath king Bhoja authored several significant works, including the Samarangana Sutradhara on architecture. Later, Udayaditya built the magnificent Udayesvara Temple in Udaipur, Madhya Pradesh, marking a high point in architecture.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Major Dynasties of Rajasthan
Q19. The Bijolia rock inscription, which provides genealogical information about the Chahamanas, dates back to:
Explanation
The Bijolia rock inscription, located in the Bhilwara district of Rajasthan, is a crucial historical document dating back to 1170 CE. It was issued during the reign of the Chahamana ruler Someshvara. The inscription provides a detailed genealogy of the Chauhan dynasty and mentions that they were Vatsa Gotra Brahmins originating from Ahichhatrapur, offering significant insights into their early history.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Major Dynasties of Rajasthan
Q20. Prithviraj III’s campaign against the Chandelas of Mahoba in 1182 CE resulted in the death of which famous Chandela generals?
Explanation
During Prithviraj III’s military expansion, he invaded the Chandela kingdom in 1182. The ensuing Battle of Mahoba is famous in folk tradition for the heroic resistance of the Chandela generals Alha and Udal. Although they fought valiantly to protect their land and the honor of King Paramardi Deva, both brothers were killed in the conflict, becoming immortalized in ballads.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
11
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
12
(b) Sawai Jai Singh II
13
(c) Gurjara-Pratiharas
14
(d) Solankis of Gujarat
15
(a) Lack of a centralized standing army and continuous inter-clan rivalries.
16
(c) IV only
17
(b) Rashtrakutas
18
(a) A-ii, B-iv, C-i, D-iii
19
(a) 1170 CE
20
(d) Alha and Udal
Key facts from Major Dynasties of Rajasthan
Nagabhata I of the Gurjara-Pratiharas checked the Arab advance in the 8th century.
Ajayaraja II, a Chahamana ruler, founded Ajayameru (Ajmer) and moved the capital there from Shakambhari.
Rao Jodha laid the foundation of Mehrangarh and Jodhpur in 1459.
Rana Kumbha built the Vijay Stambha at Chittorgarh to mark his victory over Mahmud Khalji of Malwa.
Man Singh I of Amber served as Mughal Subahdar of Bengal, Bihar and Kabul; Sawai Jai Singh II founded Jaipur and built the Jantar Mantar observatories.
Kota was separated from Bundi in 1631 by a decree of Shah Jahan.
The Delwara temples at Mount Abu were built under the patronage of the Solankis of Gujarat.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Major Dynasties of Rajasthan?
This page has 120 practice MCQs on Major Dynasties of Rajasthan (Rajasthan History, Art and Culture). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Who founded Jodhpur?
Rao Jodha, a Rathore ruler of Marwar, founded Jodhpur in 1459 and laid the foundation of the Mehrangarh Fort. He moved the capital of Marwar there from Mandore, and the city is named after him.
Which Chahamana ruler founded Ajmer?
Ajayaraja II, who founded Ajayameru, the present Ajmer, and shifted the Chahamana capital there from Shakambhari. Ajmer remained an important Chauhan centre until the defeat of Prithviraj III in the twelfth century.
Who wrote Kavya Mimamsa and under which dynasty?
Rajashekhara, the court poet of the Gurjara-Pratiharas, wrote the treatise Kavya Mimamsa. It is a work on poetics, and it remains one of the best-known literary products of the Pratihara court.
