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 41–50 of 101 questions
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Rajasthan in the 18th and 19th Centuries
Q41. Match the military contingents in List I with their respective headquarters or bases in List II:
Military Contingent formed by the British
Headquarters/Base
A. Merwara Battalion
i. Kherwara
B. Shekhawati Brigade
ii. Erinpura
C. Jodhpur Legion
iii. Jhunjhunu
D. Mewar Bhil Corps
iv. Beawar
Explanation
The British established several military contingents with specific headquarters in Rajasthan. The Merwara Battalion was based in Beawar, and the Shekhawati Brigade had its headquarters in Jhunjhunu. The Jodhpur Legion was stationed at Erinpura, while the Mewar Bhil Corps operated from Kherwara. These units were designed to control tribal areas and maintain peace across various princely states.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Rajasthan in the 18th and 19th Centuries
Q42. What was the direct effect of the British demanding auxiliary contingents (like the Jodhpur Legion) on the state armies of Rajputana?
Explanation
The demand for auxiliary contingents like the Jodhpur Legion led to the large-scale disbandment of traditional state armies in Rajputana. Since the states had to fund these new British-led units, they could no longer afford their own military forces. This resulted in widespread unemployment among the traditional warrior classes and contributed to social unrest in various parts of the region.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Rajasthan in the 18th and 19th Centuries
Q43. Under the subsidiary system, if a boundary dispute arose between two Rajput states, it was to be settled by:
Explanation
Under the subsidiary system, Rajput states were prohibited from settling disputes through independent warfare or direct negotiation. If a boundary dispute arose between two states, the treaties mandated that the matter be referred to the British East India Company for arbitration. This policy ensured that the British acted as the ultimate judge, further consolidating their control over inter-state relations.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Rajasthan in the 18th and 19th Centuries
Q44. Select the correct chronological sequence for the establishment of the following British-led military contingents in Rajasthan:
Explanation
The British-led military contingents in Rajasthan were established in a specific chronological order. The Merwara Battalion was founded first in 1822. It was followed by the Shekhawati Brigade in 1835 and the Jodhpur Legion in 1836. Finally, the Mewar Bhil Corps was established in 1841. This sequence highlights the progressive military involvement of the British in different regional sectors.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Rajasthan in the 18th and 19th Centuries
Q45. Under the Resident system established in Rajputana, the primary role of the British Political Agent was officially to:
Explanation
In the Resident system, the official role of the British Political Agent was to act as an advisor representing British interests at the Rajput state court. While theoretically meant to avoid interference in internal affairs, the Agents often exercised significant influence over the ruler’s decisions, managing external relations and ensuring that the state’s policies aligned with overall British objectives.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Rajasthan in the 18th and 19th Centuries
Q46. Consider the following methods by which British Political Agents intervened in the internal administration of Rajput states: I. Constituting a ‘Regency Council’ during the minority of a ruler. II. Forcing rulers to dismiss native diwans (ministers) and appointing British favorites. III. Suppressing rebellions of disgruntled jagirdars using British forces. IV. Imposing democratic elections to select the members of the state assembly. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
British Political Agents frequently intervened in state administration by establishing ‘Regency Councils’ during a ruler’s minority and influencing the appointment of ministers. They also used British forces to suppress rebellions by disgruntled jagirdars. However, they did not impose democratic elections for state assemblies, as the British preferred maintaining traditional monarchical structures that were loyal and subservient to imperial control.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Rajasthan in the 18th and 19th Centuries
Q47. Who was appointed as the first Agent to the Governor General (AGG) for the Rajputana Agency established in 1832?
Explanation
When the Rajputana Agency was established in 1832 to centralize British administrative control over the region, Mr. Abraham Locket was appointed as the first Agent to the Governor General (AGG). Based in Ajmer, the AGG oversaw the various Political Agents stationed in the princely states, serving as the primary link between the Rajput rulers and the Governor General in Calcutta.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Rajasthan in the 18th and 19th Centuries
Q48. Given below are two statements, one labelled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R): Assertion (A): The Resident system effectively eroded the traditional authority of the Rajput rulers. Reason (R): Political agents frequently intervened in succession disputes, administrative matters, and the relationship between the ruler and the nobles.
Explanation
The Resident system eroded the traditional authority of Rajput rulers because Political Agents frequently interfered in matters beyond their advisory role. By intervening in succession disputes and the delicate relationship between rulers and their nobles, the Agents undermined the monarch’s central position. This constant mediation by British officials shifted the actual locus of power from the ruler toward the Residency.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Rajasthan in the 18th and 19th Centuries
Q49. Match the Political Agencies in List I with their respective headquarters in List II:
Political Agency
Headquarters
A. Rajputana Agency (AGG)
i. Udaipur
B. Mewar Residency
ii. Ajmer
C. Jaipur Agency
iii. Jodhpur
D. Marwar Agency
iv. Jaipur
Explanation
The British political administration in Rajasthan was organized into agencies with specific headquarters. The Rajputana Agency (AGG) was based in Ajmer, while the Mewar Residency was located in Udaipur. The Jaipur Agency operated from Jaipur city, and the Marwar Agency had its headquarters in Jodhpur. This structure allowed for effective monitoring and control of the major princely states’ internal affairs.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Rajasthan in the 18th and 19th Centuries
Q50. Identify the incorrect statement regarding the political administration established by the British in Rajasthan.
Explanation
British administration in Rajasthan involved setting up the AGG’s headquarters in Ajmer in 1832 and using Mount Abu as a summer base from 1845. Political Agents functioned under the AGG’s supervision. However, the British did not aim to integrate or abolish the princely states by 1850; instead, they maintained them as loyal, indirect dependencies under the overarching policy of paramountcy.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
41
(a) A-iv, B-iii, C-ii, D-i
42
(b) Large-scale disbandment of state armies leading to local unemployment.
43
(d) Arbitration by the British East India Company
44
(a) Merwara Battalion Shekhawati Brigade Jodhpur Legion Mewar Bhil Corps
45
(c) Act as an advisor representing British interests in the state court
46
(a) I, II, and III only
47
(d) Mr. Abraham Locket
48
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
49
(a) A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii
50
(d) Integrating princely states into British India by abolishing them by 1850.
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.
