Q11. Which of the following Rajput states largely remained free from direct Maratha military invasions and the payment of Chauth due to its geographical isolation?
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 11–20 of 101 questions
Q12. Consider the following statements regarding Maratha objectives in Rajasthan:
Statement I: The primary objective of the Marathas in Rajputana was to annex the territories and establish direct administrative control.
Statement II: The Marathas were primarily interested in extracting financial tributes and exploiting succession disputes for monetary gain.
Statement I: The primary objective of the Marathas in Rajputana was to annex the territories and establish direct administrative control.
Statement II: The Marathas were primarily interested in extracting financial tributes and exploiting succession disputes for monetary gain.
Explanation
The Marathas did not aim to establish direct administrative control or annex territories in Rajputana. Instead, their strategy focused on extracting financial tributes such as Chauth and Sardeshmukhi. They exploited internal succession disputes among Rajput rulers to demand large sums of money, treating the region primarily as a source of revenue rather than as a territory for permanent colonial or administrative annexation.
Q13. The Battle of Tunga (1787) was fought between the Maratha forces led by Mahadji Scindia and the combined Rajput forces led by:
Explanation
The Battle of Tunga in 1787 involved a confrontation between the Maratha forces under Mahadji Scindia and a coalition of Rajput states. The Rajput army was led by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh of Jaipur and Maharaja Bijay Singh of Jodhpur. This battle was significant as it temporarily checked Maratha dominance in the region and led to a strategic Maratha retreat from the area.
Q14. Given below are two statements, one labelled as
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The late 18th century witnessed a significant economic decline in Rajputana.
Reason (R): Continuous demands for Chauth and Khandani by Maratha commanders ruined merchants and peasants alike.
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The late 18th century witnessed a significant economic decline in Rajputana.
Reason (R): Continuous demands for Chauth and Khandani by Maratha commanders ruined merchants and peasants alike.
Explanation
Economic decline in Rajputana during the late eighteenth century was a direct consequence of relentless Maratha demands. Systematic extractions of Chauth and Khandani drained the financial resources of the states. These financial burdens trickled down, ruining merchants and impoverishing the peasantry. Consequently, the regional economy suffered significantly from the constant transfer of wealth to the Maratha commanders and their armies.
Q15. Match the battles in List I with their respective years in List II concerning the Maratha-Rajput conflicts:
| Battle | Year |
|---|---|
| A. Battle of Rajmahal | i. 1761 |
| B. Battle of Bhatwara | ii. 1747 |
| C. Battle of Tunga | iii. 1790 |
| D. Battle of Patan | iv. 1787 |
Explanation
The timeline of Maratha-Rajput conflicts includes the Battle of Rajmahal in 1747 and the Battle of Bhatwara in 1761. Later engagements were the Battle of Tunga in 1787 and the Battle of Patan in 1790. These specific dates mark the phases of Maratha military dominance and the varying attempts by Rajput states to resist their relentless financial and political demands.
Q16. The infamous Krishna Kumari dispute, which led to a devastating war among Rajput states in the early 19th century, was primarily a conflict between which two states?
Explanation
The Krishna Kumari dispute was a tragic episode involving the princess of Mewar. A severe conflict erupted between the states of Jaipur and Jodhpur over her marriage alliance.
Q17. Consider the following statements regarding the Krishna Kumari episode:
I. Krishna Kumari was a princess of Mewar.
II. She was originally betrothed to Maharaja Bhim Singh of Jodhpur.
III. After Bhim Singh’s death, she was engaged to Jagat Singh of Jaipur.
IV. Man Singh of Jodhpur objected to her new engagement, claiming the betrothal was to the state of Jodhpur.
V. The dispute was peacefully resolved through the mediation of the British Resident.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. Krishna Kumari was a princess of Mewar.
II. She was originally betrothed to Maharaja Bhim Singh of Jodhpur.
III. After Bhim Singh’s death, she was engaged to Jagat Singh of Jaipur.
IV. Man Singh of Jodhpur objected to her new engagement, claiming the betrothal was to the state of Jodhpur.
V. The dispute was peacefully resolved through the mediation of the British Resident.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Princess Krishna Kumari of Mewar was initially betrothed to Maharaja Bhim Singh of Jodhpur. Following his death, her engagement to Jagat Singh of Jaipur caused Maharaja Man Singh to object, claiming the alliance belonged to the Jodhpur house. The dispute was not resolved peacefully but ended tragically with the princess being poisoned to prevent further warfare among the rival Rajput states.
Q18. Identify the incorrect statement regarding the internal conflicts among Rajput states in the 18th century.
Explanation
Internal conflicts in the eighteenth century were exacerbated by succession disputes and shifting allegiances of the nobility. While these issues invited Maratha and Pindari interventions, the Rajput clans failed to forge strong internal unity to counter external threats like Amir Khan Pindari. Instead, the lack of cooperation led to state bankruptcy and the further erosion of the rulers’ central political authority.
Q19. Match the rulers involved in succession disputes in List I with their respective states in List II:
| Ruler involved in succession disputes | State |
|---|---|
| A. Ishwari Singh and Madho Singh | i. Marwar |
| B. Ram Singh and Bakht Singh | ii. Jaipur |
| C. Umed Singh and Dalel Singh | iii. Bikaner |
| D. Ratan Singh and Sardar Singh | iv. Bundi |
Explanation
Rajputana saw many succession disputes and leadership transitions during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. In Jaipur, the conflict involved Ishwari Singh and Madho Singh. Marwar faced a struggle between Ram Singh and Bakht Singh. The state of Bundi witnessed a dispute between Umed Singh and Dalel Singh, while Bikaner dealt with the succession of Ratan Singh and Sardar Singh. These internal conflicts often triggered destructive interventions by the Maratha and Pindari forces.
Q20. Select the correct chronological sequence of the rulers of Jaipur who faced intense Maratha pressures and internal conflicts:
Explanation
The rulers of Jaipur faced significant external pressures and internal conflicts in a specific sequence. Sawai Jai Singh was followed by Ishwari Singh, who struggled with Maratha demands. After him, Madho Singh I ascended the throne, and later Sawai Pratap Singh ruled during a period of intense military engagements with the Marathas, including the notable and strategically significant Battle of Tunga.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 11 | (d) Jaisalmer |
| 12 | (d) Statement I is incorrect and Statement II is correct. |
| 13 | (d) Sawai Pratap Singh and Maharaja Bijay Singh |
| 14 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 15 | (a) A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii |
| 16 | (b) Jaipur and Jodhpur |
| 17 | (b) I, II, III, and IV only |
| 18 | (c) Internal unity among the Rajput clans was strongly forged to counter the threat of Amir Khan Pindari. |
| 19 | (a) A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii |
| 20 | (a) Sawai Jai Singh Ishwari Singh Madho Singh I Pratap Singh |
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.