Q371. Which Kachwaha ruler is credited with the construction of the Jantar Mantar observatories and the founding of Jaipur?
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.
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Q372. 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.
Q373. 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.
Q374. 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.
Q375. 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?
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.
Q376. 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.
Q377. 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.
Q378. 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.
Q379. 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.
Q380. Consider the following statements regarding the early Guhilas:
I. Guhadatta is considered the founder of the dynasty.
II. Bappa Rawal’s original name was Kalbhoj.
III. Jaitra Singh successfully defended Mewar against Iltutmish.
IV. Rawal Ratan Singh was the last ruler of the Rawal branch.
V. The Guhilas claimed descent from the Lunar race (Chandravanshi).
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. Guhadatta is considered the founder of the dynasty.
II. Bappa Rawal’s original name was Kalbhoj.
III. Jaitra Singh successfully defended Mewar against Iltutmish.
IV. Rawal Ratan Singh was the last ruler of the Rawal branch.
V. The Guhilas claimed descent from the Lunar race (Chandravanshi).
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The early Guhila dynasty of Mewar was founded by Guhadatta. Bappa Rawal, whose original name was Kalbhoj, later consolidated the kingdom. Jaitra Singh is noted for defending Mewar against Iltutmish, while Rawal Ratan Singh was the last ruler of the Rawal branch before the Sisodia transition. Notably, the Guhilas claimed descent from the Sun, not the Moon.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 371 | (b) Sawai Jai Singh II |
| 372 | (c) Gurjara-Pratiharas |
| 373 | (d) Solankis of Gujarat |
| 374 | (a) Lack of a centralized standing army and continuous inter-clan rivalries. |
| 375 | (c) IV only |
| 376 | (b) Rashtrakutas |
| 377 | (a) A-ii, B-iv, C-i, D-iii |
| 378 | (a) 1170 CE |
| 379 | (d) Alha and Udal |
| 380 | (a) I, II, III, and IV |
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.