Q721. The most prominent and wealthy banker in a state capital, who often served as the principal financier to the ruler and the public, was conventionally honored with the title of:
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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Q722. The devastating famine of 1899-1900 in Rajasthan is locally and historically remembered as:
Explanation
The devastating famine of 1899-1900 is locally known as the ‘Chhappanya Akal’ in Rajasthan. This name is derived from the Vikram Samvat year 1956, which corresponds to the period of the famine. It remains one of the most severe demographic disasters in the region’s history, resulting in massive loss of human life and livestock due to absolute and simultaneous crop failure.
Q723. The severe famine of 1868-69 in Rajputana is notoriously referred to as ‘Tri-kal’ (Triple Famine) because it involved an acute, simultaneous scarcity of:
Explanation
The famine of 1868-69 is called ‘Tri-kal’ because it represented a simultaneous and acute scarcity of three essential resources: grain for human consumption, water for all living beings, and fodder for livestock. This combination made the crisis particularly lethal, as it not only caused widespread human starvation but also destroyed the animal wealth that was central to the region’s agricultural economy.
Q724. Identify the incorrect statement regarding the famine relief measures in 19th-century Rajasthan.
Explanation
Famine relief measures in Rajasthan included opening state granaries, initiating public works like building lakes, and philanthropic kitchens run by Seths. However, the British did not provide massive, unrecoverable grants to compensate peasants for lost crops. Instead, relief was often limited and aimed at preventing mass death or migration that could disrupt imperial stability, while peasants remained burdened by heavy debt.
Q725. What does the term ‘Chhappanya’ literally signify in the context of the ‘Chhappanya Akal’?
Explanation
The term ‘Chhappanya’ in ‘Chhappanya Akal’ specifically refers to the year 1956 in the Vikram Samvat calendar. This year coincides with 1899 AD, when the most severe famine of the nineteenth century struck Rajasthan. The name has become a permanent part of the regional folklore and historical memory to signify the unprecedented scale of suffering and loss during that period.
Q726. A significant demographic and economic effect of the repeated famines in Rajasthan during the late 19th century was:
Explanation
Repeated famines in the late nineteenth century significantly impacted the demographic and economic structure of Rajasthan. The loss of millions of cattle led to the ruin of the traditional livestock economy. Furthermore, the inability to pay taxes and the need for survival forced peasants into deep agrarian debt. These factors collectively weakened the rural economy and slowed down regional development.
Q727. Consider the following statements regarding the British response to famines in Rajasthan:
Statement I: The British initially viewed famines in the princely states of Rajputana purely as an internal administrative failure of the native rulers.
Statement II: Influenced by the Famine Commissions, the British eventually pressured native states to adopt systematic famine relief codes, primarily to protect imperial revenues and prevent mass migrations into British territories.
Statement I: The British initially viewed famines in the princely states of Rajputana purely as an internal administrative failure of the native rulers.
Statement II: Influenced by the Famine Commissions, the British eventually pressured native states to adopt systematic famine relief codes, primarily to protect imperial revenues and prevent mass migrations into British territories.
Explanation
Initially, the British viewed famines in Rajputana as internal failures of the local rulers. However, following the recommendations of various Famine Commissions, they eventually pressured the states to adopt formal famine relief codes. This shift was motivated by the need to protect imperial revenues and prevent large-scale migrations of destitute people from the princely states into British Indian territories.
Q728. During times of severe famine, the pastoralist communities of Western Rajasthan (like Raikas and Banjaras) typically migrated towards which regions in search of water and pasture?
Explanation
During severe famines, pastoralist communities like the Raikas and Banjaras from Western Rajasthan traditionally migrated toward more fertile regions. They moved their herds to Malwa in present-day Madhya Pradesh and parts of Gujarat in search of water and pasture. This seasonal migration was a vital survival strategy, though it often led to conflicts over grazing rights in the host regions.
Q729. Which prominent 19th-century social and religious reformer traveled extensively in Rajasthan, influencing rulers like Maharana Sajjan Singh and Maharaja Jaswant Singh II?
Explanation
Swami Dayanand Saraswati, the founder of the Arya Samaj, was a prominent nineteenth-century reformer who traveled extensively across Rajasthan. He had a profound influence on several Rajput rulers, including Maharana Sajjan Singh of Udaipur and Maharaja Jaswant Singh II of Jodhpur. His teachings on social reform, Vedic education, and indigenous governance resonated strongly within the political and social circles.
Q730. The ‘Paropkarini Sabha’, an institution central to the early socio-religious reform movement in Rajasthan, was established to publish and propagate Vedic literature. Where was it originally established in 1883?
Explanation
Swami Dayanand Saraswati founded the Paropkarini Sabha at Udaipur in 1883, to publish and spread Vedic literature.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 721 | (a) Nagar Seth |
| 722 | (c) Chhappanya Akal |
| 723 | (d) Grain, Water, and Fodder |
| 724 | (b) Massive, unrecoverable British grants compensating peasants for all lost crops. |
| 725 | (c) The Vikram Samvat year 1956 (1899 AD) |
| 726 | (d) Ruin of the traditional livestock economy and agrarian debt |
| 727 | (a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct. |
| 728 | (b) Malwa (Madhya Pradesh) and Gujarat |
| 729 | (b) Swami Dayanand Saraswati |
| 730 | (c) Udaipur |
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.