Q21. In the context of 18th-century Rajputana, the term ‘Bhai-bant’ refers to:
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 21–30 of 101 questions
Q22. Which notorious Pindari leader played a decisive and destructive role in the internal conflicts of Rajputana, particularly in the Krishna Kumari dispute, by acting as a mercenary?
Explanation
Amir Khan Pindari was a prominent mercenary leader who significantly influenced the internal conflicts of Rajputana. He played a destructive role in the Krishna Kumari dispute by serving various sides for financial gain. His involvement intensified the chaos in the region, eventually leading to his recognition as the ruler of the newly created state of Tonk by the British government in 1817.
Q23. During the 18th century, the political fragmentation of Rajputana was marked by the rise of new independent principalities. Which of the following emerged as a powerful Jat state during this period?
Explanation
During the eighteenth century, political fragmentation led to the emergence of independent states in the region. Bharatpur and Dholpur became prominent principalities established by the Jat community. These states asserted their independence as Mughal authority declined, carving out territories in the eastern parts of Rajputana and maintaining their own administrative structures and military forces against various regional competitors and external invaders.
Q24. Consider the following statements regarding the political fragmentation of Rajputana:
I. The weakening of Mughal control allowed ambitious local chieftains to carve out independent states.
II. Pratap Singh Naruka successfully established the independent state of Alwar by separating from Jaipur.
III. The fragmentation led to sustained economic prosperity due to localized trade networks.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. The weakening of Mughal control allowed ambitious local chieftains to carve out independent states.
II. Pratap Singh Naruka successfully established the independent state of Alwar by separating from Jaipur.
III. The fragmentation led to sustained economic prosperity due to localized trade networks.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The decline of Mughal control allowed local leaders to establish independent principalities.
Q25. Identify the incorrectly matched pair of an 18th-century independent state and its founder/ prominent leader:
Explanation
In the context of eighteenth-century states, Badan Singh is associated with Bharatpur and Pratap Singh Naruka with Alwar. Amir Khan Pindari was the recognized founder of Tonk. While Jhala Zalim Singh was a powerful regent and administrator in the state of Kota, the separate state of Jhalawar was actually created much later, in 1838, specifically for his descendants’ rule.
Q26. The principality of Tonk was formally recognized as a sovereign state by the British in 1817 and granted to which of the following leaders?
Explanation
The British formally recognized Tonk as a sovereign principality in 1817 as part of their strategy to stabilize the region. This state was granted to the Pindari leader Amir Khan after he agreed to disband his mercenary forces and cooperate with the East India Company. This arrangement effectively transitioned a powerful military commander into a recognized territorial ruler under British protection.
Q27. Match the states in List I with their respective ruling clans or communities in List II:
| Fragmented/New State | Ruling Clan/Community |
|---|---|
| A. Bharatpur | i. Naruka Rajput |
| B. Alwar | ii. Jat |
| C. Tonk | iii. Sisodia Rajput |
| D. Shahpura | iv. Pathan Muslim |
Explanation
Different clans and communities ruled the fragmented states of Rajputana. The Jats established the state of Bharatpur, while the Naruka Rajputs founded Alwar. Tonk was governed by a Pathan Muslim dynasty, and Shahpura was ruled by a branch of the Sisodia Rajputs. These diverse ruling backgrounds reflect the complex political landscape that emerged during the decline of the larger Mughal Empire.
Q28. Which of the following factors did NOT contribute to the political fragmentation of Rajputana in the 18th century?
Explanation
Political fragmentation in eighteenth-century Rajputana was driven by the jagirdari crisis, Maratha interventions in succession disputes, and traditional land systems like Bhai-bant. However, the establishment of a unified administrative code by the Mughal Emperor was not a factor. In fact, it was the breakdown of Mughal administrative cohesion that allowed local rivalries and external pressures to fragment the region’s principalities.
Q29. Consider the following statements:
Statement I: In the 18th century, the Rajput nobility often asserted that the ruler was merely the ‘first among equals’.
Statement II: This ideology helped the rulers to centralize their administration and easily crush any feudal rebellion.
Statement I: In the 18th century, the Rajput nobility often asserted that the ruler was merely the ‘first among equals’.
Statement II: This ideology helped the rulers to centralize their administration and easily crush any feudal rebellion.
Explanation
During the eighteenth century, Rajput nobles often viewed the monarch as the ‘first among equals,’ reflecting a decentralized clan-based structure. This ideology, however, hindered rather than helped the rulers in centralizing their administration. Instead of crushing rebellions easily, monarchs frequently faced challenges from powerful feudal lords who asserted their traditional rights and autonomy against the central authority of the state.
Q30. The first phase of British treaties with the states of Rajputana occurred in 1803 during the Second Anglo-Maratha War. Which state was the first to sign a treaty of defensive alliance with the East India Company in 1803?
Explanation
During the early phase of British expansion in 1803, Bharatpur was the first Rajput state to sign a treaty of defensive alliance with the East India Company. This occurred under the governorship of Lord Wellesley during the Second Anglo- Maratha War. The treaty was intended to secure British interests by enlisting local support against the Maratha forces operating in northern India.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 21 | (d) Traditional division of conquered lands among clan brethren |
| 22 | (a) Amir Khan |
| 23 | (d) Both (2) and (3) |
| 24 | (a) I and II only |
| 25 | (d) Jhalawar - Jhala Zalim Singh |
| 26 | (c) Amir Khan Pindari |
| 27 | (a) A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii |
| 28 | (a) Unified administrative code established by the Mughal Emperor |
| 29 | (c) Statement I is correct and Statement II is incorrect. |
| 30 | (b) Bharatpur |
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.