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 31–40 of 120 questions
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Major Dynasties of Rajasthan
Q31. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Scholars Proposing Rajput Origins
Specific Theories
A. C.V. Vaidya
i. Agnikunda Theory
B. Col. James Tod
ii. Vedic Aryan descent
C. D.R. Bhandarkar
iii. Scythian/Foreign origin
D. Chand Bardai
iv. Gurjara/Brahmin origin
Explanation
Various scholars have proposed different theories regarding Rajput origins. C.V. Vaidya argued for Vedic Aryan descent, while Colonel James Tod famously proposed a Scythian or foreign origin. D.R. Bhandarkar suggested a Gurjara or Brahmin origin based on inscriptions. Finally, the Agnikunda theory, which describes their emergence from a fire pit, is found in the works of Chand Bardai.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Major Dynasties of Rajasthan
Q32. Who was the last prominent ruler of the Gurjara- Pratihara dynasty whose capital Kannauj was attacked by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1018 CE?
Explanation
Rajyapala was a ruler of the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty when the capital, Kannauj, was attacked by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1018 CE. Rather than defending the city, Rajyapala fled, leading to its sack and the eventual collapse of Pratihara power. His cowardice angered other Rajput rulers, resulting in his assassination by the Chandela king Vidyadhara and his allies shortly thereafter.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Major Dynasties of Rajasthan
Q33. The Paramara king Bhoja established the Saraswati Kanthabharana Vidyapeeth at which of the following places?
Explanation
King Bhoja of the Paramara dynasty was a renowned scholar and polymath who ruled from his capital at Dhar. He established the Saraswati Kanthabharana Vidyapeeth, a major center for higher learning and Sanskrit studies. The institution included a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. Bhoja’s patronage of literature and science made Dhar one of the most significant cultural centers of medieval India.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Major Dynasties of Rajasthan
Q34. Given below are two statements, one labelled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R): Assertion (A): Vigraharaja IV (Bsaldeva) is considered to have presided over the golden age of the Shakambhari Chahamanas. Reason (R): He expanded the empire up to Delhi and authored the Sanskrit play Harikeli Nataka. Which of the following is correct?
Explanation
Vigraharaja IV, also known as Bisaldev, is celebrated for bringing the Chahamana dynasty to its peak. He captured Delhi from the Tomaras, extending the kingdom’s reach into the heart of North India. Beyond his military success, he was a distinguished man of letters who authored the Harikeli Nataka, a Sanskrit play, reflecting the cultural prosperity during his prosperous reign.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Major Dynasties of Rajasthan
Q35. What was the immediate political consequence of Prithviraj III’s defeat in the Second Battle of Tarain (1192 CE)?
Explanation
The defeat of Prithviraj III in the Second Battle of Tarain in 1192 CE was a watershed event in Indian history. It led to the immediate collapse of the Chauhan power base in North India and enabled Muhammad Ghori to establish Turkic control over Delhi and Ajmer. This victory laid the foundation for the Sultanate period and significantly altered India’s political landscape.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Major Dynasties of Rajasthan
Q36. Consider the following statements regarding the early Guhila dynasty: I. Bappa Rawal issued gold coins weighing 115 grains. II. Allat established the second capital at Ahar and introduced a bureaucratic system. III. Jaitra Singh shifted the capital to Chittor. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The early Guhila dynasty witnessed several foundational developments. Bappa Rawal issued gold coins, signifying economic stability. Allat established a second capital at Ahar and introduced an organized bureaucratic system to manage the growing state. Later, Jaitra Singh shifted the primary capital to the fort of Chittor, which remained the central seat of Mewar’s power for several centuries to follow.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Major Dynasties of Rajasthan
Q37. The architectural text "Mandana," associated with Kumbhalgarh fort, was written by an architect who served under:
Explanation
Mandana was the chief architect of Rana Kumbha of Mewar and is credited with designing several formidable forts, including Kumbhalgarh. He authored several influential architectural treatises, collectively referred to as the Mandana texts, which detail the principles of temple and fort construction. His work reflects the flourishing of Rajput architecture under the enlightened patronage of the scholar-king Rana Kumbha.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Major Dynasties of Rajasthan
Q38. Hasan Khan Mewati and Mahmud Lodi fought as allies of which Rajput ruler against Babur?
Explanation
In the Battle of Khanwa in 1527, Rana Sanga led a massive confederacy of Rajput and Muslim rulers against Babur. Hasan Khan Mewati, the ruler of Mewat, and Mahmud Lodi, the brother of the late Ibrahim Lodi, joined Sanga to expel the Mughals. This alliance represented a final attempt by regional powers to preserve North India’s traditional political order against Babur.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Major Dynasties of Rajasthan
Q39. Consider the following statements regarding the Rathores of Marwar: I. Rao Chunda established his capital at Mandore after acquiring it in a dowry. II. Rao Jodha defeated Maharana Kumbha to secure Marwar’s independence. III. Rao Maldeo was known as the ‘Hashmat Wala Raja’ by Persian historians. IV. Mota Raja Udai Singh was the first Rathore ruler to enter into a matrimonial alliance with Akbar. Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
The history of the Rathores of Marwar involves several key figures. Rao Chunda acquired Mandore through a dowry, and Rao Maldeo was highly respected by Persian historians. Mota Raja Udai Singh initiated matrimonial alliances with Akbar. However, the claim that Rao Jodha defeated Maharana Kumbha to secure independence is incorrect; they eventually reached a peace agreement known as the Aonla- Baonla treaty.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Major Dynasties of Rajasthan
Q40. Before assuming full control as the ruler of Amber, Man Singh I served as a military commander in which major battle in 1576?
Explanation
In 1576, Man Singh I of Amber led the Mughal imperial forces as their chief commander in the Battle of Haldighati. He faced the army of Maharana Pratap of Mewar. This battle was a significant military engagement in Akbar’s campaign to bring the Rajput states under Mughal suzerainty. Man Singh’s role underscored the high level of trust the Emperor placed in him.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
31
(a) A-ii, B-iii, C-iv, D-i
32
(b) Rajyapala
33
(b) Dhar
34
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
35
(c) The establishment of Turkic rule over Delhi and Ajmer
36
(d) I, II and III
37
(c) Rana Kumbha
38
(b) Rana Sanga
39
(b) II only
40
(a) Battle of Haldighati
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.
