Q111. Which of the following is an effect of the discovery of the Ashokan rock edict (Bhabru Edict) at Bairath?
Sources of Rajasthan History: RAS Prelims MCQs
120 RAS Prelims MCQs on the sources of Rajasthan history ask what each inscription records, who wrote each text and what each archive term means. Archaeological sites, inscriptions on stone and copper, Sanskrit and Rajasthani chronicles and the Bahi and Tozi records of the Rajput states all appear here, so match every source to its date and author.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 111–120 of 120 questions
Q112. Match List I with List II:
Choose the correct code:
| Ruler | Associated Historical Text/Description |
|---|---|
| A. Maharana Kumbha | i. Kirti Stambha Prashasti |
| B. Prithviraj Chauhan III | ii. Prithviraj Raso |
| C. Maharaja Jaswant Singh I | iii. Patron of Muhnot Nainsi |
| D. Rao Maldeo | iv. Described as ‘Hashmat wala Raja’ by Persian historians |
Explanation
Historical figures in Rajasthan are linked to specific records and descriptions. Maharana Kumbha is celebrated in the Kirti Stambha Prashasti. Prithviraj Chauhan is the subject of the epic Prithviraj Raso. Maharaja Jaswant Singh I was the influential patron of the chronicler Muhnot Nainsi. Rao Maldeo of Marwar was notably described as the Hashmat wala Raja (the king of great splendor) by various Persian historians of his era.
Q113. Consider the following inscriptions:
I. Samidheshwar Temple Inscription
II. Mandasor Inscription
III. Ghosundi Inscription
IV. Kumbhalgarh Prashasti
Which of the following is the correct chronological sequence from oldest to most recent?
I. Samidheshwar Temple Inscription
II. Mandasor Inscription
III. Ghosundi Inscription
IV. Kumbhalgarh Prashasti
Which of the following is the correct chronological sequence from oldest to most recent?
Explanation
Chronological sequencing of these inscriptions starts with the Ghosundi Inscription from the second century BC. Next is the Mandasor Inscription from the fifth century AD. The Samidheshwar Temple Inscription reflects renovations in the fifteenth century, followed closely by the Kumbhalgarh Prashasti, also from the fifteenth century but representing a slightly later, more comprehensive record of the Guhila dynasty’s history and its contemporary ruler’s achievements.
Q114. Consider the following statements regarding the ‘Bhat’ tradition:
I. Bhats were traditional genealogists of various communities in Rajasthan.
II. They maintained ‘Bahis’ which recorded the family trees of their patrons.
III. Unlike Charans who focused heavily on Rajput valor, Bhats maintained records for a wider variety of castes.
IV. The British outlawed the Bhat tradition immediately after 1818.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. Bhats were traditional genealogists of various communities in Rajasthan.
II. They maintained ‘Bahis’ which recorded the family trees of their patrons.
III. Unlike Charans who focused heavily on Rajput valor, Bhats maintained records for a wider variety of castes.
IV. The British outlawed the Bhat tradition immediately after 1818.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Bhat community played a vital role in Rajasthan as traditional genealogists who maintained Bahis for various castes and families. Unlike Charans, who were primarily linked to the royal Rajput courts and heroic poetry, Bhats served a broader segment of society, preserving family trees across different communities. This tradition continued through the nineteenth century, as the British did not immediately outlaw this important cultural practice after 1818.
Q115. Which text, considered a masterpiece of Dingal literature, was famously compared by the poet Dursa Arha to have the brilliance and strength of "ten thousand horses"?
Explanation
Veli Krisan Rukmani Ri is a classic work of Dingal literature by Prithviraj Rathore of Bikaner. The poet Dursa Arha was so impressed by its literary power and linguistic brilliance that he famously compared the text to having the strength of ten thousand horses. This metaphor highlights the extraordinary impact and the high esteem in which this devotional and heroic masterpiece was held by contemporary and later scholars.
Q116. Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as
Reason (R).
Assertion (A): The numismatic history of medieval Rajputana reveals a localized economy where almost every major princely state had its own independent currency.
Reason (R): The Mughal Emperors had completely banned all Rajput states from minting any local coins during their suzerainty, forcing the states to mint coins only after the Mughal decline. In the context of the above, which one of the following is correct?
Reason (R).
Assertion (A): The numismatic history of medieval Rajputana reveals a localized economy where almost every major princely state had its own independent currency.
Reason (R): The Mughal Emperors had completely banned all Rajput states from minting any local coins during their suzerainty, forcing the states to mint coins only after the Mughal decline. In the context of the above, which one of the following is correct?
Explanation
Medieval Rajputana had a localized economy with many states minting their own independent currencies. However, the assertion that the Mughal Emperors completely banned Rajput mints is false. In fact, several Rajput rulers were granted the right to mint coins by the Mughals, or they minted coins in the name of the Mughal Emperor. The proliferation of independent local state currencies became more pronounced during the later decline of Mughal authority.
Q117. What does the term ‘Khyat’ literally mean in the context of historical literature?
Explanation
The term Khyat is derived from the Sanskrit word Khyati, which literally means fame or renown. In the context of Rajasthani literature, it refers to a historical narrative or chronicle written to record and preserve the illustrious deeds and lineages of regional rulers. These texts were essential for maintaining the historical memory and status of the various Rajput dynasties during the medieval and early modern periods.
Q118. Which of the following sources is considered most authentic for studying the socio-economic conditions, land tenure system (Jagirdari), and taxation of medieval Marwar?
Explanation
Marwar Ra Pargana Ri Vigat, authored by Muhnot Nainsi, is the most authentic source for studying the socio-economic conditions of seventeenth-century Marwar. Often called a gazetteer, it provides granular data on taxation, agricultural productivity, and the jagirdari system for every administrative unit (pargana) of the state. This level of statistical detail makes it superior to traditional epic poems for analyzing the economic and administrative foundations of the kingdom.
Q119. Consider the following statements regarding historical sources:
I. Epigraphy is the study of inscriptions.
II. Numismatics is the study of coins.
III. ‘Vakil Reports’ were sent by Mughal emperors to Rajput kings.
IV. ‘Khyats’ were typically written in prose and documented the history of regional dynasties.
V. Foreign travellers like Bernier provide an outsider’s perspective on Rajput participation in Mughal politics.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. Epigraphy is the study of inscriptions.
II. Numismatics is the study of coins.
III. ‘Vakil Reports’ were sent by Mughal emperors to Rajput kings.
IV. ‘Khyats’ were typically written in prose and documented the history of regional dynasties.
V. Foreign travellers like Bernier provide an outsider’s perspective on Rajput participation in Mughal politics.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Historical research relies on various specialized studies. Epigraphy and numismatics provide hard data from inscriptions and coins. Khyats offer prose narratives of regional history, while foreign travelers like Bernier provide external perspectives. However, Vakil Reports were actually sent by Rajput envoys to their own kings from the Mughal court, not from emperors to kings, making the third statement in the original list historically incorrect in its direction.
Q120. Match List I with List II:
Choose the correct code:
| Historical Text | Author |
|---|---|
| A. Padmavat | i. Malik Muhammad Jayasi |
| B. Raj Ratnakar | ii. Sadashiv |
| C. Nainsi ri Khyat | iii. Muhnot Nainsi |
| D. Bikaner ri Khyat | iv. Dayaldas |
Explanation
Malik Muhammad Jayasi authored Padmavat, a famous poem about the siege of Chittorgarh. Sadashiv wrote Raj Ratnakar, while Muhnot Nainsi is known for his extensive Khyat. Dayaldas authored the Bikaner ri Khyat. Each of these literary works represents a different genre and period, yet they all contribute significantly to our understanding of the cultural and political history of the various regions and dynasties within Rajasthan.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 111 | (a) It confirmed Ashoka’s deep faith in the Buddhist Triratna tenets. |
| 112 | (b) A-i, B-ii, C-iii, D-iv |
| 113 | (a) III, II, I, IV |
| 114 | (a) I, II, and III |
| 115 | (c) Veli Krisan Rukmani Ri |
| 116 | (c) A is true but R is false. |
| 117 | (c) Fame or renown (historical narrative) |
| 118 | (b) Marwar Ra Pargana Ri Vigat |
| 119 | (a) I, II, IV, and V |
| 120 | (a) A-i, B-ii, C-iii, D-iv |
Key facts from Sources of Rajasthan History
- The Ghosundi inscription belongs to the 2nd century BC and is the earliest evidence of Bhagavata worship of Sankarshana and Vasudeva in the region.
- The Mandasor inscription of 436 AD, from the reign of Kumaragupta I, records a guild of silk weavers and the building of a Sun temple.
- The Kumbhalgarh inscription of 1460 AD, on the Guhila rulers, was composed by Mahesh.
- Prithviraj Raso was composed by Chand Bardai; Prithviraj Vijaya by Jayanak is considered more reliable as history.
- Kanhadade Prabandh by Padmanabha describes the battle of Jalore between Kanhadadeva Chauhan and Alauddin Khalji.
- Muhnot Nainsi wrote Marwar Ra Pargana Ri Vigat, a gazetteer-like work; Munshi Devi Prasad called him the Abul Fazl of Rajputana.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Sources of Rajasthan History?
This page has 120 practice MCQs on Sources of Rajasthan History (Rajasthan History, Art and Culture). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
What is a Bahi in Rajasthan history?
A Bahi is a daily account book or ledger kept by the administration of a Rajput state. Bahis, along with Tozi records on revenue and production, are important archival sources for the economic and political history of the region.
Who wrote Kuvalayamala and where?
Udyotana Suri wrote Kuvalayamala in 778 AD at Jalore. This long Prakrit work throws light on the society and economy of early medieval Rajasthan and is also an early source that mentions the Maru country and its language.
What does a Tamrapatra record?
A Tamrapatra is a copper plate document recording the grant of land or privileges by a ruler. Because such plates carry names, dates and genealogies, they are among the primary documents used to fix the chronology of dynasties.