Q621. The system of land measurement in medieval Rajasthan that utilized a measuring rope or chain was locally known as:
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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Q622. Given below are two statements, one labeled as
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The state often preferred the ‘Kunta’ (estimation of standing crop) system over actual weighing, while peasants frequently opposed it.
Reason (R): Kunta relied on visual estimation by state officials, which often led to over-assessment and corruption, working to the disadvantage of the cultivator. In the context of the above statements, which one of the following is correct?
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The state often preferred the ‘Kunta’ (estimation of standing crop) system over actual weighing, while peasants frequently opposed it.
Reason (R): Kunta relied on visual estimation by state officials, which often led to over-assessment and corruption, working to the disadvantage of the cultivator. In the context of the above statements, which one of the following is correct?
Explanation
The Kunta system involved a visual estimation of the standing crop’s yield, which state officials often preferred because it was quick.
Q623. What was a major consequence of the increasing use of the ‘Ijara’ (revenue farming) system in the later medieval period in Rajasthan?
Explanation
The expansion of the Ijara, or revenue farming system, had a detrimental impact on rural society. Because Ijaradars were motivated by personal profit, they often extracted as much as possible from the peasantry beyond the official demands. This practice led to severe exploitation and financial distress, as the middlemen lacked long-term interest in the welfare of the land or cultivators.
Q624. Which of the following were the standard units of land measurement in medieval Rajasthan?
Explanation
Bigha and Biswa were the standard units used for land measurement throughout medieval Rajasthan. These units allowed for a structured assessment of agricultural land and the calculation of revenue demands. While other terms like Maund and Seer were used for weight, and Kos for distance, Bigha and Biswa remained the essential units for defining farm sizes and land ownership records.
Q625. Match List-I (Land Classification Term) with
List-II (Description) and select the correct answer.
List I: (Land Classification)
A. Chahi
B. Barani
C. Pival
D. Magra
List II: (Description)
i. Land irrigated by wells
ii. Land irrigated by canals or tanks
iii. Unirrigated, rain-fed land
iv. Hilly or stony land, often uncultivable
List-II (Description) and select the correct answer.
List I: (Land Classification)
A. Chahi
B. Barani
C. Pival
D. Magra
List II: (Description)
i. Land irrigated by wells
ii. Land irrigated by canals or tanks
iii. Unirrigated, rain-fed land
iv. Hilly or stony land, often uncultivable
Explanation
Land was classified based on its source of water and productivity. Chahi referred to well-irrigated land, while Barani was rain-fed and unirrigated. Pival identified land watered by canals or tanks, and Magra described stony or hilly terrain that was often difficult to cultivate. These classifications were crucial for determining the appropriate revenue rates for different types of agricultural land.
Q626. Which of the following statements regarding the classification of land for revenue purposes is correct?
Explanation
The medieval revenue system was flexible, recognizing that not all land could yield a profit. Wastelands, categorized as Ushar or Banjar, were generally exempt from revenue demands because they were uncultivable. In contrast, productive lands like Chahi and Nahari faced higher rates, while the state avoided charging a flat uniform rate across diverse ecological zones like hills or deserts.
Q627. Find the odd one out among the following terms, which represent units of land measurement in medieval Rajasthan:
Explanation
Bigha, Biswa, and Jareeb were all terms associated with land area and measurement in the medieval administrative system. A Maund, however, was a unit of weight used for measuring grain and other commodities. Therefore, it does not belong in a group of terms related to the physical dimensions of agricultural plots or the tools used for surveying the land.
Q628. In the late medieval agricultural setup of Rajasthan, the distinction between ‘Chahi’ and ‘Nahari’ land was based on:
Explanation
In the agricultural terminology of Rajasthan, Chahi and Nahari distinguished lands based on how they were watered. Chahi lands were irrigated through wells, which often required significant labor for drawing water. Nahari lands were those serviced by canals. This distinction was important for revenue officials, as the cost and reliability of water sources influenced the overall productivity of the land.
Q629. Among the following classifications of agricultural land, which one generally yielded the lowest land revenue rate to the state?
Explanation
Barani land refers to agricultural plots that are entirely dependent on rainfall for irrigation. Because rain-fed farming is less reliable and generally yields lower harvests compared to irrigated lands like Chahi or Nahari, the state typically imposed the lowest land revenue rates on Barani holdings. This lower rate helped compensate for the high risk of crop failure due to unpredictable weather.
Q630. Arrange the following types of land in general order of their revenue yield per bigha, from highest to lowest, based on standard medieval assessment practices:
Explanation
Revenue yield per bigha was highest on Chahi land due to its consistent irrigation from wells. Barani land followed, yielding moderate returns depending on rainfall. Magra land, being stony or hilly, typically had the lowest productivity and consequently the lowest revenue assessment.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 621 | (b) Dori |
| 622 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 623 | (a) It resulted in peasant exploitation as farmers sought maximum profit. |
| 624 | (c) Bigha and Biswa |
| 625 | (a) A-i, B-iii, C-ii, D-iv |
| 626 | (d) Wasteland known as ‘Ushar’ or ‘Banjar’ was exempt from land revenue. |
| 627 | (c) Maund |
| 628 | (d) The source of irrigation (well vs. canal) |
| 629 | (a) Barani |
| 630 | (b) Chahi Barani Magra |
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.