Rajasthan History, Art and Culture: RAS Prelims MCQs
1767 RAS Prelims practice MCQs on the history, art, culture, literature and heritage of Rajasthan are on this page, in 17 chapters. They run from prehistoric sites and inscriptions through the Rajput dynasties, the Mughal and British periods and the integration of Rajasthan, then move to forts, painting, folk arts, language, saints, fairs and leading personalities. Questions come as plain facts, statement sets, match-the-list tables and assertion-reason items, each with an answer and an explanation.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 131–140 of 1767 questions
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RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Sources of Rajasthan History
Q131. Consider the following statements regarding the epigraphic sources of Rajasthan: I. Prashastis are eulogistic inscriptions praising the achievements of rulers. II. Copper plates (Tamrapatras) were primarily used to record land grants and religious donations. III. All inscriptions in Rajasthan prior to the 10th century AD were written exclusively in the Apabhramsha language. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Prashastis were eulogistic inscriptions composed by court poets to glorify the military and personal achievements of rulers. Copper plates, or Tamrapatras, served as formal legal documents recording land grants and religious endowments. Although many early inscriptions were in Sanskrit or Prakrit, the claim that all were written exclusively in Apabhramsha before the tenth century is historically inaccurate.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Sources of Rajasthan History
Q132. The Ghosundi Inscription is a crucial epigraphic source for ancient history. It provides the earliest epigraphic evidence in the region for the worship of which deity?
Explanation
The Ghosundi Inscription, found near Chittorgarh, is a landmark epigraphic source for the religious history of ancient India. It provides the earliest evidence for the worship of Sankarshana and Vasudeva in the region. This indicates the prevalence of the Bhagavata sect and the performance of Vedic sacrifices like the Ashvamedha by local rulers during the second century BC.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Sources of Rajasthan History
Q133. To which historical era does the Ghosundi Inscription belong?
Explanation
The Ghosundi Inscription is dated to the second century BC, making it one of the oldest and most significant inscriptions in Rajasthan. Written in the Brahmi script and Sanskrit language, it records the construction of a stone wall around a place of worship. This dating helps historians trace the early development of Vaishnavism and Vedic rituals in the region.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Sources of Rajasthan History
Q134. Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): Epigraphy is considered one of the most reliable sources for reconstructing ancient and early medieval history. Reason (R): Inscriptions are generally contemporaneous to the events they describe and are highly resistant to tampering compared to literary manuscripts. In the context of the above, which one of the following is correct?
Explanation
Epigraphy provides highly reliable historical data because inscriptions are usually created during the actual time of the events they record. Unlike literary manuscripts, which can be altered during successive copying, stone inscriptions are durable and difficult to tamper with once engraved. This makes them objective primary sources for confirming names, dates, and administrative details of ancient and medieval periods.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Sources of Rajasthan History
Q135. The Barnala Yupa inscriptions found in the Jaipur region provide valuable historical data. What do these Yupa pillars primarily commemorate?
Explanation
The Barnala Yupa inscriptions, discovered in the Jaipur region, are sacrificial pillars that commemorate the performance of traditional Vedic rituals. Specifically, they mention the Triratra sacrifice, conducted by local leaders or priests. These pillars provide crucial evidence regarding the continued practice of Brahmanical rites and the socio-religious influence of the Vedic tradition in ancient Rajasthan during the early centuries AD.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Sources of Rajasthan History
Q136. Which of the following inscriptions provides information about a guild of silk weavers and the construction of a Sun temple?
Explanation
The Mandasor Inscription of 436 AD is historically significant for documenting the migration of a guild of silk weavers from the Lata region to Mandasor. It details how the guild members, despite changing their professions, collectively funded the construction and subsequent repair of a magnificent Sun temple. This record highlights the economic prosperity and social mobility of guilds in antiquity.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Sources of Rajasthan History
Q137. The Mandasor inscription (436 AD) mentions the reign of which Gupta emperor during whose time the guild of silk-weavers migrated from Lata?
Explanation
The Mandasor Inscription, which records the activities of a silk weavers’ guild, was issued during the reign of the Gupta Emperor Kumargupta I. This epigraphic source confirms the extent of Gupta influence in the Malwa and Rajasthan regions. It also reflects the imperial stability that allowed trade guilds and religious institutions to flourish and contribute to monumental architectural projects.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Sources of Rajasthan History
Q138. What is the main subject matter of the Barli inscription, considered one of the oldest inscriptions found in Rajasthan?
Explanation
The Barli Inscription, found in the Ajmer district, is considered one of the oldest inscriptions in Rajasthan, dating back to the pre-Christian era. It records the dedication of a Jain temple or shrine and is notable for its reference to the Jain era. This makes it an invaluable source for understanding the early spread and institutionalization of Jainism in northern India.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Sources of Rajasthan History
Q139. Match List I with List II:
Inscription
Language/Script context
A. Ghosundi Inscription
i. Sanskrit, Brahmi script
B. Mandasor Inscription
ii. Sanskrit, details Guhila dynasty
C. Bijolia Inscription
iii. Sanskrit, details Chauhan dynasty
D. Chirwa Inscription
iv. Sanskrit, mentions silk weavers
Choose the correct code:
Explanation
The Ghosundi Inscription is written in Sanskrit and Brahmi script, while the Mandasor Inscription mentions the migration of silk weavers. The Bijolia Inscription is famous for detailing the history of the Chauhan dynasty and providing ancient geographical names. Finally, the Chirwa Inscription provides genealogical information about the Guhila dynasty of Mewar, documenting the lineage of rulers like Jaitra Singh.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Sources of Rajasthan History
Q140. Which of the following inscriptions famously traces the origin of the Chauhan dynasty to the ‘Vatsa gotra’ Brahmins?
Explanation
The Bijolia Inscription, dated 1170 AD, is a pivotal source for the history of the Chauhans of Shakambhari. It explicitly traces the origin of the Chauhan dynasty to the Vatsa gotra Brahmins, providing a legendary context for their lineage. This inscription also lists numerous ancient towns, offering a comprehensive geographical and genealogical record of the medieval Chauhan kingdom in Rajasthan.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
131
(a) I and II
132
(c) Sankarshana and Vasudeva (Bhagavata sect)
133
(a) 2nd Century BC
134
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
135
(b) The performance of Vedic sacrifices (like Triratra).
136
(b) Mandasor Inscription
137
(a) Kumargupta I
138
(c) It marks the dedication of a Jain shrine and mentions the Jain era.
139
(d) A-i, B-iv, C-iii, D-ii
140
(c) Bijolia Inscription
Key facts from Rajasthan History, Art and Culture
Rajasthan history questions are fact-dense: sites with their districts, rulers with their forts, inscriptions with their dates.
The integration of Rajasthan came in stages: the Matsya Union on 18 March 1948, the Rajasthan Union on 25 March 1948 and the United State of Rajasthan on 18 April 1948.
Culture chapters reward pairs: a dance with its community, a painting school with its subject, a fair with its month.
Statement-based and match-the-list items appear in every chapter, so partial knowledge is not enough; learn each fact with its context.
Fort and monument questions often turn on one detail, such as the Jaivana cannon at Jaigarh or the 1,444 pillars of Ranakpur.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Rajasthan History, Art and Culture?
This page has 1767 practice MCQs on Rajasthan History, Art and Culture. Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which chapters does the Rajasthan history, art and culture set cover?
Seventeen chapters: prehistoric Rajasthan, sources of history, ancient society, major dynasties, resistance and cooperation with central power, administration and revenue, the 18th and 19th centuries, peasant and tribal movements, integration, temples and forts, water heritage, painting, performing arts, language, religious life, social life and leading personalities.
What types of questions are included?
Plain one-fact questions, statement sets (I, II, III), match-the-list tables, assertion-reason items, chronological-order questions and odd-one-out questions. The answer options use the same four-option format as the exam, so you can practise the pattern as well as the facts.
How should I revise Rajasthan history with these questions?
Take one chapter at a time. Attempt every question before opening the answer, read the explanation for the ones you got wrong and note each fact in a running list of places, rulers and dates. Return to the chapter after a few days and attempt it again.
