Q91. Identify the incorrect statement regarding the famine relief measures in 19th-century Rajasthan.
Rajasthan in the 18th and 19th Centuries: RAS Prelims MCQs
101 RAS Prelims MCQs on Rajasthan in the 18th and 19th centuries cover the decline of Mughal authority, Maratha pressure, Pindari raids and the British treaties of 1817 and 1818. Questions ask about alliances, battles, the order in which states signed and the working of the Rajputana Agency, so learn the sequence of events together with the names.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 91–100 of 101 questions
Q92. 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.
Q93. 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.
Q94. 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.
Q95. 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.
Q96. 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.
Q97. 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.
Q98. Identify the correctly matched pair of the early social reform institution/event and its associated location in Rajasthan:
Explanation
The first Arya Samaj branch in Rajasthan was established at Ajmer in 1881. The other pairs name the wrong place.
Q99. Which of the following social evils was NOT directly targeted by the resolutions of the Walter Krit Rajputra Hitkarini Sabha?
Explanation
The Walter Krit Rajputra Hitkarini Sabha opposed heavy marriage expenses, unequal marriages and Sati. It did not directly target untouchability, so C is the one not targeted.
Q100. What was the primary focus of the early 19th-century social reform efforts initiated by British Political Agents (like Ludlow in Jaipur) in Rajasthan?
Explanation
Early British Political Agents such as Ludlow in Jaipur concentrated on banning Sati, female infanticide and the traffic in human beings.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 91 | (b) Massive, unrecoverable British grants compensating peasants for all lost crops. |
| 92 | (c) The Vikram Samvat year 1956 (1899 AD) |
| 93 | (d) Ruin of the traditional livestock economy and agrarian debt |
| 94 | (a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct. |
| 95 | (b) Malwa (Madhya Pradesh) and Gujarat |
| 96 | (b) Swami Dayanand Saraswati |
| 97 | (c) Udaipur |
| 98 | (d) Establishment of the first Arya Samaj branch (1881) - Ajmer |
| 99 | (c) The system of untouchability |
| 100 | (b) Banning Sati, female infanticide, and human trafficking |
Key facts from Rajasthan in the 18th and 19th Centuries
- The Triple Alliance of 1708 brought Mewar, Marwar and Amber together against Mughal interference.
- The Bundi succession dispute of 1734 is seen as the first open Maratha interference in a Rajput state.
- The Battle of Tunga in 1787 was fought between Mahadji Scindia and the combined forces of Jaipur and Jodhpur.
- Tonk was granted to Amir Khan Pindari and recognised as a state by the British in 1817.
- Charles Metcalfe negotiated the treaties of subordinate isolation with most Rajput states.
- The Krishna Kumari dispute led to a war involving Jaipur and Jodhpur.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Rajasthan in the 18th and 19th Centuries?
This page has 101 practice MCQs on Rajasthan in the 18th and 19th Centuries (Rajasthan History, Art and Culture). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
What was Chauth?
Chauth was a payment demanded by the Marathas from a territory in return for sparing it from plunder, usually reckoned as a quarter of the revenue. Rajput states paid it in the eighteenth century because they could not resist Maratha armies.
Who was Amir Khan in Rajasthan’s history?
Amir Khan was a Pindari leader who took part in the internal conflicts of Rajputana. After the Pindari wars the British recognised him as ruler, and Tonk was granted to him and recognised as a state in 1817.
What did the British aim for in the Rajputana treaties?
To create a buffer of dependent states that would protect British territories. Under the treaties the states accepted British paramountcy, paid for auxiliary forces and gave up independent dealings with other states.