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 681–690 of 1767 questions
Browse Rajasthan History, Art and Culture chapters
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Rajasthan in the 18th and 19th Centuries
Q681. Given below are two statements, one labelled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R): Assertion (A): The Resident system effectively eroded the traditional authority of the Rajput rulers. Reason (R): Political agents frequently intervened in succession disputes, administrative matters, and the relationship between the ruler and the nobles.
Explanation
The Resident system eroded the traditional authority of Rajput rulers because Political Agents frequently interfered in matters beyond their advisory role. By intervening in succession disputes and the delicate relationship between rulers and their nobles, the Agents undermined the monarch’s central position. This constant mediation by British officials shifted the actual locus of power from the ruler toward the Residency.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Rajasthan in the 18th and 19th Centuries
Q682. Match the Political Agencies in List I with their respective headquarters in List II:
Political Agency
Headquarters
A. Rajputana Agency (AGG)
i. Udaipur
B. Mewar Residency
ii. Ajmer
C. Jaipur Agency
iii. Jodhpur
D. Marwar Agency
iv. Jaipur
Explanation
The British political administration in Rajasthan was organized into agencies with specific headquarters. The Rajputana Agency (AGG) was based in Ajmer, while the Mewar Residency was located in Udaipur. The Jaipur Agency operated from Jaipur city, and the Marwar Agency had its headquarters in Jodhpur. This structure allowed for effective monitoring and control of the major princely states’ internal affairs.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Rajasthan in the 18th and 19th Centuries
Q683. Identify the incorrect statement regarding the political administration established by the British in Rajasthan.
Explanation
British administration in Rajasthan involved setting up the AGG’s headquarters in Ajmer in 1832 and using Mount Abu as a summer base from 1845. Political Agents functioned under the AGG’s supervision. However, the British did not aim to integrate or abolish the princely states by 1850; instead, they maintained them as loyal, indirect dependencies under the overarching policy of paramountcy.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Rajasthan in the 18th and 19th Centuries
Q684. What was the most appropriate function of the ‘Court of Wards’ established in various Rajput states under British influence?
Explanation
The ‘Court of Wards’ was established in various Rajput states to manage the estates and administration of rulers who were minors. Under British influence, this institution ensured that the state was governed effectively and that the young ruler was educated according to British interests. It provided the Political Agents with a direct opportunity to reform state administration during the ruler’s minority.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Rajasthan in the 18th and 19th Centuries
Q685. Consider the following statements regarding British economic control through political leverage: Statement I: Political Agents used their influence to force Rajput rulers to sign unequal salt agreements, surrendering local monopolies to the British. Statement II: These agreements significantly boosted the state revenues and brought prosperity to the local Banjara traders.
Explanation
British Political Agents used their leverage to secure salt agreements that gave the British control over local salt resources. While these agreements were beneficial to the British, they did not boost state revenues for the Rajput rulers or bring prosperity to local traders. Instead, the salt monopoly caused economic hardship for the traditional Banjara communities who relied on the salt trade.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Rajasthan in the 18th and 19th Centuries
Q686. In the 18th-century social hierarchy of Rajasthan, which community traditionally held the privilege of being exempt from capital punishment and enjoyed grants of rent-free lands known as ‘Sasan’?
Explanation
In the social hierarchy of eighteenth-century Rajasthan, Charans and Brahmins held unique privileges. They were traditionally exempt from capital punishment and often received rent-free land grants known as ‘Sasan’. These communities played significant roles as keepers of history, poets, and religious advisors, and their social standing was protected by customary laws and the patronage of the ruling class.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Rajasthan in the 18th and 19th Centuries
Q687. Consider the following statements regarding the social conditions in 18th-century Rajasthan: I. Rajputs formed the ruling aristocracy and occupied the highest social tier in terms of power. II. Mahajans controlled trade, banking, and state finances. III. Agricultural castes like Jats, Sirvis, and Patidars formed the backbone of the agrarian economy. IV. Tribal communities like Bhils and Meenas were completely integrated into the mainstream caste hierarchy as Kshatriyas. V. Untouchability was widely practiced against Dalit communities. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Eighteenth-century Rajasthan society was tiered, with Rajputs as the ruling aristocracy and Mahajans controlling finance. Agricultural castes like Jats and Sirvis formed the economic backbone, while untouchability was practiced against Dalit communities. Tribal groups like Bhils and Meenas remained largely distinct from the mainstream hierarchy and were not generally integrated as Kshatriyas, maintaining their own unique social structures and identities.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Rajasthan in the 18th and 19th Centuries
Q688. In traditional 18th and 19th-century Rajasthan society, the terms ‘Chakar’, ‘Daroga’, ‘Gola’, and ‘Khawas’ primarily referred to:
Explanation
In the traditional society of Rajasthan, terms like ‘Chakar’, ‘Daroga’, ‘Gola’, and ‘Khawas’ referred to individuals or groups who lived in a state of hereditary domestic slavery. These people served in the households of Rajput nobles and rulers. Their status was passed down through generations, and they performed various domestic duties, being considered an integral part of the noble household.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Rajasthan in the 18th and 19th Centuries
Q689. Which statement correctly describes the nature of the Rajput caste structure in 18th-century Rajasthan?
Explanation
The Rajput caste structure in eighteenth-century Rajasthan was characterized by a rigid hierarchy of sub-clans. This system was based on lineage, ancestry, and the relative political power held by different groups. While unified by a common identity, the sub-clans were strictly ranked, which influenced social interactions, marriage alliances, and the distribution of land and administrative authority in the states.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Rajasthan in the 18th and 19th Centuries
Q690. Among the following communities, which was traditionally NOT recognized as a primary agricultural community in 19th-century Rajasthan?
Explanation
In nineteenth-century Rajasthan, communities like the Jats, Bishnois, and Dhakars were primarily recognized for their agricultural activities and formed the backbone of the rural economy. In contrast, the Oswal community belonged to the Mahajan class and was traditionally involved in trade, commerce, and banking rather than agricultural labor, occupying an influential position in the state’s urban and financial sectors.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
681
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
682
(a) A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii
683
(d) Integrating princely states into British India by abolishing them by 1850.
684
(a) Managing estates of minor rulers until they reached adulthood
685
(c) Statement I is correct and Statement II is incorrect.
686
(b) Charans and Brahmins
687
(a) I, II, III, and V only
688
(c) Groups in hereditary domestic slavery in noble households
689
(d) A rigid hierarchy of sub-clans based on lineage and power.
690
(b) Oswal
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.
