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 31–40 of 120 questions
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Sources of Rajasthan History
Q31. Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): The Vakil Reports are critical sources for reconstructing the political history of Rajputana during the Mughal period. Reason (R): These reports were confidential communications sent by the Rajput envoys stationed at the Mughal court to their respective kings, detailing court politics and emperor’s moods. In the context of the above, which one of the following is correct?
Explanation
Vakil Reports are indispensable for studying Mughal-Rajput relations. These were confidential dispatches sent by Rajput representatives stationed at the Mughal court to their respective rulers. These reports provided first-hand accounts of court intrigues, administrative changes, and the personal temperament of the Emperor. This direct communication allowed Rajput kings to make informed political decisions based on accurate, real-time information.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Sources of Rajasthan History
Q32. Consider the following statements regarding Persian archival sources: I. ‘Akhbarat-i-Darbar-i-Mualla’ provides daily proceedings of the Mughal court. II. ‘Ruqqa’ was a type of informal letter or note. III. ‘Sanad’ refers to an official document granting certain rights or privileges. IV. ‘Khas-Rukka’ was a letter written by the Rajput ruler in his own handwriting. V. ‘Arzdasht’ was an order issued by a Mughal noble to a subordinate. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Persian archival sources include a variety of documents essential for historical research. Akhbarat provided court proceedings, while Ruqqa and Sanad represented informal letters and official grants, respectively. A Khas-Rukka was a personal letter from a ruler. However, an Arzdasht was actually a petition or report sent by a subordinate to a superior, rather than an order issued to a subordinate.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Sources of Rajasthan History
Q33. The historical text ‘Prithviraj Raso’, which details the life and battles of Prithviraj Chauhan, was composed by:
Explanation
Prithviraj Raso is a celebrated epic poem that narrates the life, valor, and tragic end of the Chauhan King Prithviraj III. It was composed by his court poet and close friend, Chand Bardai. Written in the Pingal style, the text blends historical events with legendary narratives, playing a significant role in the cultural and literary memory of medieval Rajasthan and northern India.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Sources of Rajasthan History
Q34. What is the fundamental difference in the historical context between ‘Prithviraj Raso’ and ‘Prithviraj Vijaya’?
Explanation
While Prithviraj Raso is more famous as a literary epic, historians often favor Prithviraj Vijaya, authored by Jayanak, for its historical accuracy. Written in Sanskrit, Prithviraj Vijaya provides a more consistent account of the Chauhan dynasty’s genealogy and military campaigns. In contrast, the Raso contains later interpolations and legendary elements that sometimes deviate from contemporary epigraphic and archival evidence.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Sources of Rajasthan History
Q35. Consider the following statements regarding literary sources: Statement I: ‘Hammir Mahakavya’ was written by Nayanchandra Suri. Statement II: It provides a detailed account of the Chauhans of Ranthambore and their struggle against Alauddin Khalji. Which of the following is correct?
Explanation
Nayanchandra Suri authored the Hammir Mahakavya, a significant Sanskrit text detailing the history of the Chauhans of Ranthambore. The work focuses on the reign of Rana Hammir and his heroic resistance against the Delhi Sultan Alauddin Khalji. It provides valuable insights into the social values, military strategies, and the ultimate sacrifice of the Chauhan warriors during the medieval period.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Sources of Rajasthan History
Q36. Which famous Sanskrit text, authored by Jiva Dhar, throws light on the socio-economic conditions of early medieval Rajasthan and is primarily a work on metrics and grammar?
Explanation
The text Kuvalayamala is a vital source for early medieval socio-economic history, but it was authored by Udyotana Suri, not Jiva Dhar. Literary works like Vamsh Bhaskar and Amar Kavya have different authors and subjects. Therefore, none of the listed options correctly attribute a text to Jiva Dhar that matches the specific description of a work on metrics and grammar.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Sources of Rajasthan History
Q37. The renowned ancient text ‘Kuvalayamala’ was authored by Udyotana Suri in 778 AD. In which town of Rajasthan was this text predominantly composed?
Explanation
Udyotana Suri composed the renowned Prakrit text Kuvalayamala in 778 AD while residing in Jalore. This work is significant for its descriptions of various regions and the diverse languages spoken across northern India during the eighth century. Jalore was an important center of learning and culture during this period, providing the necessary environment for such a monumental literary creation.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Sources of Rajasthan History
Q38. ‘Kanhadade Prabandh’ is an essential literary source for understanding medieval history. What is its central theme?
Explanation
Kanhadade Prabandh is a masterpiece of medieval literature that recounts the valiant struggle of the Chauhan ruler Kanhadadeva of Jalore against the invading forces of Alauddin Khalji. The text details the siege of the Jalore fort, the heroic deeds of the Rajput defenders, and the cultural values of the time. It serves as a crucial narrative for understanding regional resistance.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Sources of Rajasthan History
Q39. Identify the author of ‘Kanhadade Prabandh’.
Explanation
The epic Kanhadade Prabandh was authored by the poet Padmanabha in the mid-fifteenth century. Written in a language transitional between Apabhramsha and Old Gujarati, the text commemorates the events that occurred over a century earlier in Jalore. Padmanabha’s work is celebrated for its literary quality and its preservation of the local history and folklore regarding the resistance against the Delhi Sultanate.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Sources of Rajasthan History
Q40. Match List I with List II:
Literary Work
Author
A. Eklinga Mahatmya
i. Muhnot Nainsi
B. Veli Krisan Rukmani Ri
ii. Suryamal Misran
C. Vamsh Bhaskar
iii. Prithviraj Rathore
D. Nainsi ri Khyat
iv. Kanha Vyas
Choose the correct code:
Explanation
Eklinga Mahatmya was written by Kanha Vyas, providing the religious and historical context of the Mewar dynasty. Veli Krisan Rukmani Ri is a classic work by Prithviraj Rathore of Bikaner. Suryamal Misran authored Vamsh Bhaskar, detailing the history of Bundi, while Muhnot Nainsi is famous for his comprehensive Khyat, which records the history of various Rajput clans.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
31
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
32
(a) I, II, III, and IV
33
(b) Chand Bardai
34
(a) Prithviraj Vijaya, by Jayanak, is considered more historically reliable than the Raso.
35
(a) Both Statement I and Statement II are true.
36
(d) None of the above (as Kuvalayamala was authored by Udyotana Suri)
37
(c) Jalore
38
(b) The battle of Jalore between Kanhadadeva Chauhan and Alauddin Khalji.
39
(d) Padmanabha
40
(a) A-iv, B-iii, C-ii, D-i
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.
