Q51. What was the most appropriate function of the ‘Court of Wards’ established in various Rajput states under British influence?
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 51–60 of 101 questions
Q52. Consider the following statements regarding British economic control through political leverage:
Statement I: Political Agents used their influence to force Rajput rulers to sign unequal salt agreements, surrendering local monopolies to the British.
Statement II: These agreements significantly boosted the state revenues and brought prosperity to the local Banjara traders.
Statement I: Political Agents used their influence to force Rajput rulers to sign unequal salt agreements, surrendering local monopolies to the British.
Statement II: These agreements significantly boosted the state revenues and brought prosperity to the local Banjara traders.
Explanation
British Political Agents used their leverage to secure salt agreements that gave the British control over local salt resources. While these agreements were beneficial to the British, they did not boost state revenues for the Rajput rulers or bring prosperity to local traders. Instead, the salt monopoly caused economic hardship for the traditional Banjara communities who relied on the salt trade.
Q53. In the 18th-century social hierarchy of Rajasthan, which community traditionally held the privilege of being exempt from capital punishment and enjoyed grants of rent-free lands known as ‘Sasan’?
Explanation
In the social hierarchy of eighteenth-century Rajasthan, Charans and Brahmins held unique privileges. They were traditionally exempt from capital punishment and often received rent-free land grants known as ‘Sasan’. These communities played significant roles as keepers of history, poets, and religious advisors, and their social standing was protected by customary laws and the patronage of the ruling class.
Q54. Consider the following statements regarding the social conditions in 18th-century Rajasthan:
I. Rajputs formed the ruling aristocracy and occupied the highest social tier in terms of power.
II. Mahajans controlled trade, banking, and state finances.
III. Agricultural castes like Jats, Sirvis, and Patidars formed the backbone of the agrarian economy.
IV. Tribal communities like Bhils and Meenas were completely integrated into the mainstream caste hierarchy as Kshatriyas.
V. Untouchability was widely practiced against Dalit communities.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. Rajputs formed the ruling aristocracy and occupied the highest social tier in terms of power.
II. Mahajans controlled trade, banking, and state finances.
III. Agricultural castes like Jats, Sirvis, and Patidars formed the backbone of the agrarian economy.
IV. Tribal communities like Bhils and Meenas were completely integrated into the mainstream caste hierarchy as Kshatriyas.
V. Untouchability was widely practiced against Dalit communities.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Eighteenth-century Rajasthan society was tiered, with Rajputs as the ruling aristocracy and Mahajans controlling finance. Agricultural castes like Jats and Sirvis formed the economic backbone, while untouchability was practiced against Dalit communities. Tribal groups like Bhils and Meenas remained largely distinct from the mainstream hierarchy and were not generally integrated as Kshatriyas, maintaining their own unique social structures and identities.
Q55. In traditional 18th and 19th-century Rajasthan society, the terms ‘Chakar’, ‘Daroga’, ‘Gola’, and ‘Khawas’ primarily referred to:
Explanation
In the traditional society of Rajasthan, terms like ‘Chakar’, ‘Daroga’, ‘Gola’, and ‘Khawas’ referred to individuals or groups who lived in a state of hereditary domestic slavery. These people served in the households of Rajput nobles and rulers. Their status was passed down through generations, and they performed various domestic duties, being considered an integral part of the noble household.
Q56. Which statement correctly describes the nature of the Rajput caste structure in 18th-century Rajasthan?
Explanation
The Rajput caste structure in eighteenth-century Rajasthan was characterized by a rigid hierarchy of sub-clans. This system was based on lineage, ancestry, and the relative political power held by different groups. While unified by a common identity, the sub-clans were strictly ranked, which influenced social interactions, marriage alliances, and the distribution of land and administrative authority in the states.
Q57. Among the following communities, which was traditionally NOT recognized as a primary agricultural community in 19th-century Rajasthan?
Explanation
In nineteenth-century Rajasthan, communities like the Jats, Bishnois, and Dhakars were primarily recognized for their agricultural activities and formed the backbone of the rural economy. In contrast, the Oswal community belonged to the Mahajan class and was traditionally involved in trade, commerce, and banking rather than agricultural labor, occupying an influential position in the state’s urban and financial sectors.
Q58. Which of the following features was NOT characteristic of the caste system in 18th-century Rajasthan?
Explanation
The caste system in eighteenth-century Rajasthan was defined by endogamy, rules of commensality, and hereditary occupations. Social mobility was highly restricted, and it was not possible for peasants to become part of the ruling elite based on wealth. The rigid social hierarchy emphasized lineage and traditional status, effectively preventing lower castes from ascending to the ranks of the Rajput ruling aristocracy.
Q59. What was a significant cause of limited social mobility among the lower castes in 18th-century Rajputana?
Explanation
Limited social mobility among the lower castes in eighteenth-century Rajputana was primarily caused by the rigid enforcement of caste duties and the practice of begar. The nobility extracted forced, unpaid labor and strictly maintained traditional social boundaries. This system ensured that lower castes remained tied to their hereditary roles and provided no opportunities for economic or social advancement within the region.
Q60. Which princely state of Rajasthan was the first to officially ban the practice of Sati in 1822?
Explanation
The practice of Sati was deeply embedded in the social fabric of Rajputana, but the state of Bundi became the first to officially ban it in 1822. This early legal measure was taken under the influence of British officials and preceded the broader prohibition of Sati throughout British India by Lord William Bentinck in 1829, marking a significant reformist step.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 51 | (a) Managing estates of minor rulers until they reached adulthood |
| 52 | (c) Statement I is correct and Statement II is incorrect. |
| 53 | (b) Charans and Brahmins |
| 54 | (a) I, II, III, and V only |
| 55 | (c) Groups in hereditary domestic slavery in noble households |
| 56 | (d) A rigid hierarchy of sub-clans based on lineage and power. |
| 57 | (b) Oswal |
| 58 | (d) Unrestricted social mobility allowing peasants to become ruling elites based on wealth |
| 59 | (a) Rigid enforcement of caste duties and begar by the nobility. |
| 60 | (c) Bundi |
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.