Q61. The concept of "Rajputra" as a distinct martial community rather than merely meaning "son of a king" became socially codified primarily during which period?
Major Dynasties of Rajasthan: RAS Prelims MCQs
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 61–70 of 120 questions
Q62. Given below are two statements, one labelled as
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The Gurjara-Pratiharas built several magnificent temples in the Maha-Maru style.
Reason (R): Architecture flourished strictly to please the Arab invaders and secure peace treaties.
Which of the following is correct?
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The Gurjara-Pratiharas built several magnificent temples in the Maha-Maru style.
Reason (R): Architecture flourished strictly to please the Arab invaders and secure peace treaties.
Which of the following is correct?
Explanation
The Gurjara-Pratiharas were prolific builders who developed the sophisticated Maha-Maru style of temple architecture, seen at sites like Osian. However, the reason provided is false; their architectural endeavors were not driven by a desire to please Arab invaders. On the contrary, they were fierce opponents of the Arabs, and their artistic achievements were expressions of their own cultural and religious vitality.
Q63. The Paramara dynasty’s core territorial base in central India was historically known as:
Explanation
The Paramara dynasty was a major power in central India, with its core territory centered in the region of Malwa. They initially ruled as feudatories before asserting independence in the tenth century. Their famous capitals, Ujjain and later Dhar, became renowned centers of learning and culture. The fertile plains of Malwa provided the economic base that supported their extensive military and architectural activities.
Q64. Consider the following statements regarding the Chahamanas of Shakambhari:
I. Vasudeva is considered the founder of this dynasty around 551 CE.
II. They originally ruled as feudatories of the Gurjara-Pratiharas.
III. The construction of the Pushkar Lake is solely attributed to Arnoraja.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
I. Vasudeva is considered the founder of this dynasty around 551 CE.
II. They originally ruled as feudatories of the Gurjara-Pratiharas.
III. The construction of the Pushkar Lake is solely attributed to Arnoraja.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
The Chahamanas of Shakambhari were founded by Vasudeva in the mid-sixth century and initially served as Gurjara-Pratihara feudatories. While Arnoraja was a significant builder who constructed the Ana Sagar lake in Ajmer, the claim that he was solely responsible for the construction of Pushkar Lake is incorrect. Pushkar is an ancient sacred site with origins predating the historical Chahamana dynasty by many centuries.
Q65. Prithviraj III belonged to which specific clan branch of the Chauhans?
Explanation
Prithviraj III, the most famous Chauhan ruler, belonged to the Shakambhari branch of the dynasty. This lineage established its power in the Sapadalaksha region, with its original capital at Shakambhari before moving to Ajmer. From this base, Prithviraj III expanded his empire to include Delhi, becoming the most prominent leader of the Rajput resistance against Turkic invasions in the late twelfth century.
Q66. The Sisodiya branch of the Guhilas, which resurrected Mewar’s power after the sack of Chittor, was founded by:
Explanation
After the sack of Chittor by Alauddin Khalji in 1303 and the subsequent Tughlaq occupation, the Sisodiya branch of the Guhilas rose to power. Rana Hammir, from the village of Sisoda, successfully recaptured the fort of Chittor in the early fourteenth century. He took the title of "Rana" and established the Sisodia dynasty, which would rule Mewar with great distinction for centuries.
Q67. Consider the following texts written during the reign of Rana Kumbha:
I. Eklinga Mahatmya
II. Rasik Priya
III. Sangit Ratnakar
IV. Sangit Mimamsa
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. Eklinga Mahatmya
II. Rasik Priya
III. Sangit Ratnakar
IV. Sangit Mimamsa
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Rana Kumbha was a prolific scholar whose court produced significant literary works. He authored Rasik Priya, a commentary on the Gitagovinda, and Sangit Mimamsa. The Eklinga Mahatmya, which details the history and religious significance of Mewar’s patron deity, was also written during his reign. However, Sangit Ratnakar is an older thirteenth-century work by Sarngadeva, though Kumbha wrote a commentary on it.
Q68. The Rajput custom of ‘Saka’ involves which two distinct actions?
Explanation
The ritual of ‘Saka’ was a desperate and final act of Rajput resistance when facing certain defeat during a siege. It consisted of two parts: ‘Jauhar’, where women committed mass self-immolation to protect their honor, and ‘Kesariya’, where men donned saffron robes and rushed into the battlefield to fight until death. This tradition emphasized the Rajput values of honor over surrender or capture.
Q69. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
| Rathore Rulers | Key Events/Associations |
|---|---|
| A. Rao Jodha | i. Accepted Mughal suzerainty |
| B. Rao Maldeo | ii. Founded Jodhpur |
| C. Chandrasen | iii. Built the fort of Pokaran |
| D. Mota Raja Udai Singh | iv. Known as the "Forgotten Hero of Marwar" |
Explanation
The Rathore rulers of Marwar each left a distinct legacy. Rao Jodha founded the city of Jodhpur, while Rao Maldeo expanded the kingdom and built the fort at Pokaran. Rao Chandrasen is remembered as the "Forgotten Hero" for his resistance against Akbar. Finally, Mota Raja Udai Singh was the first in his line to accept Mughal suzerainty and enter a matrimonial alliance.
Q70. The military expedition to Kabul, where Man Singh I defeated the Roshaniyas, took place in the year:
Explanation
In 1585, Akbar dispatched a major military expedition to Kabul to suppress the rebellion of the Roshaniyas and stabilize the northwestern frontier. Man Singh I of Amber led this campaign with great success, defeating the local tribes and securing the region for the Mughal Empire. His victory in this difficult terrain further cemented his reputation as one of the empire’s greatest military commanders.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 61 | (c) Post-Harsha period (7th-12th Century CE) |
| 62 | (c) A is true but R is false. |
| 63 | (a) Malwa |
| 64 | (c) III only |
| 65 | (b) Shakambhari (Ajmer) Chauhans |
| 66 | (a) Rana Hammir |
| 67 | (b) I, II and IV |
| 68 | (d) Jauhar by women and Kesariya by men |
| 69 | (a) A-ii, B-iii, C-iv, D-i |
| 70 | (c) 1585 CE |
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.