Q71. The distinctive Black and Red Ware (BRW) pottery found at Ahar is predominantly decorated with paintings in which color?
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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Q72. Select the correct chronological sequence of initial excavations of the following Mewar region Chalcolithic sites:
Explanation
The archaeological exploration of major Mewar Chalcolithic sites followed a specific chronological order. Ahar was first excavated in the early 1950s by Akshay Kirti Vyas. This was followed by B.B. Lal’s excavations at Gilund in 1959-60. Finally, the site of Balathal was systematically excavated starting in the 1990s. This progression of research has continuously refined our understanding of the culture’s depth.
Q73. The Chalcolithic site of Gilund was first excavated by which eminent archaeologist in 1959-60?
Explanation
The significant Chalcolithic site of Gilund was first excavated by the eminent archaeologist B.B. Lal in 1959-60. His work revealed that Gilund was a major regional center of the Ahar culture, featuring complex architecture and significant material remains. Lal’s findings highlighted the cultural connections between different regions of Rajasthan and provided a clearer picture of the culture beyond its type site.
Q74. Gilund, a significant regional center of the Banas culture, is situated near which river?
Explanation
Gilund is a vital archaeological site located within the Banas river basin in Rajsamand district. Its proximity to the Banas river provided the necessary water resources for agriculture and domestic use, supporting a large sedentary population during the Chalcolithic period. As a major center of the Ahar culture, Gilund’s location was strategic for trade and resource management, contributing to its cultural importance.
Q75. Identify the correct statement that highlights a major architectural difference between Gilund and Ahar.
Explanation
A major architectural difference between Gilund and Ahar is the use of building materials. While Ahar relied almost exclusively on stone and mud bricks, Gilund features the prominent use of baked bricks in some of its larger structures. This use of fired bricks indicates a higher degree of technological investment and perhaps a different social or functional status for Gilund within the culture.
Q76. Consider the following statements about the structural remains at Gilund:
I. Excavations revealed a complex of parallel mud-brick walls.
II. Large circular pits found at the site were likely used for grain storage.
III. The site completely lacks evidence of wattle-and-daub construction.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. Excavations revealed a complex of parallel mud-brick walls.
II. Large circular pits found at the site were likely used for grain storage.
III. The site completely lacks evidence of wattle-and-daub construction.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Excavations at Gilund uncovered impressive structural remains, including a complex of parallel mud-brick walls that may have served as the base for a large public building. Additionally, large circular pits were discovered, which were likely utilized for long-term grain storage. While wattle-and-daub construction was indeed present for smaller dwellings, the massive brick features highlight the site’s importance as a center.
Q77. Which of the following materials is NOT typically found in the artifact hoards of the Ahar-Gilund culture?
Explanation
The Ahar-Gilund culture is defined by its rich Chalcolithic material assemblage. Common findings include copper axes, various steatite beads, and characteristic terracotta bull figurines, which may have had ritual significance. However, iron swords are not found in these hoards, as the Ahar culture flourished before the Iron Age. The appearance of iron weapons represents a much later technological and military transition.
Q78. Which of the following pottery types is an odd one out regarding the primary ceramic assemblage of Gilund?
Explanation
The ceramic assemblage at Gilund primarily includes Black and Red Ware, Plain Red Ware, and occasionally Painted Grey Ware in later levels. These reflect the site’s Chalcolithic and Iron Age transitions. In contrast, Northern Black Polished Ware is an odd one out, as it is a luxury ceramic characteristic of the much later Urban Revolution, appearing long after the site’s peak.
Q79. The following question consists of two statements, Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Assertion (A): Gilund is considered a major regional center of the Ahar culture rather than a simple village.
Reason (R): It features extensive structural complexes, including parallel walls and significant storage facilities indicative of a complex economy.
Assertion (A): Gilund is considered a major regional center of the Ahar culture rather than a simple village.
Reason (R): It features extensive structural complexes, including parallel walls and significant storage facilities indicative of a complex economy.
Explanation
Gilund is recognized as a major regional center because of its impressive archaeological profile. The presence of extensive structural complexes, including massive parallel walls and sophisticated grain storage pits, points to a highly organized and complex economy. These features suggest that Gilund functioned as a central place for resource management and administration within the broader Ahar-Banas cultural network in southeastern Rajasthan.
Q80. The Ganeshwar civilization, known for its rich copper artifacts, is situated on the banks of which seasonal river?
Explanation
The Ganeshwar civilization, a crucial center of early metallurgy, flourished on the banks of the Kantli river in the Sikar district. This seasonal river provided essential water for the community and its smelting activities. The site’s location was highly strategic, being situated near the rich copper ores of the Khetri belt, which allowed it to become a primary copper supplier.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 71 | (d) White |
| 72 | (a) Ahar Gilund Balathal |
| 73 | (c) B.B. Lal |
| 74 | (a) Banas |
| 75 | (d) Gilund shows prominent use of baked bricks in certain massive structures, unlike Ahar. |
| 76 | (a) I and II only |
| 77 | (c) Iron swords |
| 78 | (a) Northern Black Polished Ware |
| 79 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 80 | (b) Kantli |
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.