Q41. Which of the following pairs of ‘Text - Author’ is incorrectly matched?
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 41–50 of 120 questions
Q42. Consider the following statements regarding ‘Muhnot Nainsi ri Khyat’:
I. It is considered the first Khyat of Rajasthan.
II. It was written in the Dingal language.
III. Muhnot Nainsi was a minister in the court of Maharaja Jaswant Singh I of Jodhpur.
IV. The text solely focuses on the history of Marwar and ignores other Rajput states.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. It is considered the first Khyat of Rajasthan.
II. It was written in the Dingal language.
III. Muhnot Nainsi was a minister in the court of Maharaja Jaswant Singh I of Jodhpur.
IV. The text solely focuses on the history of Marwar and ignores other Rajput states.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Muhnot Nainsi ri Khyat is regarded as the first significant Khyat of Rajasthan, written in the seventeenth century during the reign of Maharaja Jaswant Singh I. While it focuses heavily on Marwar, it also provides extensive information about several other Rajput states and clans. The text is celebrated for its comprehensive coverage and use of the traditional Dingal and Marwari languages.
Q43. Muhnot Nainsi is also famous for authoring another monumental work that serves as a gazetteer. What is its name?
Explanation
Beyond his famous Khyat, Muhnot Nainsi authored Marwar Ra Pargana Ri Vigat, which is often described as a gazetteer of the Marwar state. This work provides meticulous statistical data regarding every village, including population, land revenue, and crops. It is an unparalleled source for understanding the administrative and economic geography of seventeenth-century Marwar under Maharaja Jaswant Singh I.
Q44. Which historian referred to Muhnot Nainsi as the "Abul Fazl of Rajputana"?
Explanation
Munshi Devi Prasad, a noted historian and scholar, bestowed the title of Abul Fazl of Rajputana upon Muhnot Nainsi. This comparison highlights Nainsi’s systematic approach to historical documentation and his ability to compile vast amounts of administrative and genealogical data. Much like Abul Fazl in the Mughal court, Nainsi played a crucial role in recording the history of his region.
Q45. Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as
Reason (R).
Assertion (A): ‘Bankidas ri Khyat’ differs from traditional Khyats as it is not written in a continuous narrative format but in the form of independent brief notes (Baat).
Reason (R): Bankidas was a prominent poet and historian in the court of Maharaja Man Singh of Jodhpur. In the context of the above, which one of the following is correct?
Reason (R).
Assertion (A): ‘Bankidas ri Khyat’ differs from traditional Khyats as it is not written in a continuous narrative format but in the form of independent brief notes (Baat).
Reason (R): Bankidas was a prominent poet and historian in the court of Maharaja Man Singh of Jodhpur. In the context of the above, which one of the following is correct?
Explanation
Bankidas was a prominent poet in the court of Maharaja Man Singh of Jodhpur and authored a unique Khyat. Unlike conventional narratives, his work consists of nearly two thousand independent historical notes known as Baats. While both the description of his work and his position at the court are true facts, the reason provided does not explain why the specific format was chosen.
Q46. ‘Dayaldas ri Khyat’ is primarily recognized as an authentic source for the history of which Rajput state?
Explanation
Dayaldas ri Khyat is a primary historical source specifically for the Bikaner state. Authored by Dayaldas Sindhayach, it covers the history of the Rathores of Bikaner from the time of Rao Bika until the reign of Maharaja Ratan Singh. This work is valued for its authentic detail regarding the military campaigns, administrative decisions, and the internal politics of the Bikaner kingdom.
Q47. The ‘Mundiyar ri Khyat’ provides detailed historical information primarily about which ruling dynasty?
Explanation
Mundiyar ri Khyat provides a detailed historical account primarily focusing on the Rathore dynasty of Marwar. It documents the lineage of the rulers and important events related to the Marwar state. This Khyat is particularly useful for historians studying the genealogies and the expansion of Rathore power in western Rajasthan, offering perspectives that complement other regional chronicles like Nainsi’s work.
Q48. Consider the following historical chroniclers/ authors:
I. Chand Bardai
II. Muhnot Nainsi
III. Suryamal Misran
IV. Bankidas
Which of the following is the correct chronological sequence of the period they lived in?
I. Chand Bardai
II. Muhnot Nainsi
III. Suryamal Misran
IV. Bankidas
Which of the following is the correct chronological sequence of the period they lived in?
Explanation
Establishing the chronological sequence of these authors requires placing them in their respective centuries. Chand Bardai lived in the twelfth century during Prithviraj Chauhan’s reign. Muhnot Nainsi flourished in the seventeenth century under Jaswant Singh I. Bankidas was active in the early nineteenth century under Man Singh, followed by Suryamal Misran, who completed his major works in the mid-nineteenth century.
Q49. Which of the following statements best describes the tradition of the ‘Charans’ and ‘Bhats’?
Explanation
The Charans and Bhats were traditional communities of poets, bards, and genealogists in Rajasthan. They held a prestigious position in the Rajput social hierarchy, responsible for maintaining oral and written records of royal lineages and military achievements. Through their heroic poetry and chronicles, they preserved the cultural memory and the values of valor and honor that defined the Rajput states.
Q50. Match List I with List II:
Choose the correct code:
| Literary Style/Format | Description |
|---|---|
| A. Vachanika | i. A poetic form often written to mourn the death of a great warrior. |
| B. Vigat | ii. A comprehensive statistical and geographical account (like a gazetteer). |
| C. Veli | iii. A prose-poetry mix written in rhythmic rhyming style. |
| D. Marsiya | iv. A metrical composition dedicated to mythological or historical tales. |
Explanation
Rajasthani literature features diverse styles. Vachanika is a rhythmic prose-poetry mix, while Vigat provides statistical and geographical data. Veli is a metrical composition often used for historical or mythological tales, and Marsiya is a poetic form specifically written to mourn the death of warriors or important figures. Understanding these formats is essential for correctly interpreting the various historical and literary sources.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 41 | (c) Raj Rupak - Bankidas |
| 42 | (a) I, II, and III |
| 43 | (d) Marwar Ra Pargana Ri Vigat |
| 44 | (b) Munshi Devi Prasad |
| 45 | (b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A. |
| 46 | (d) Bikaner |
| 47 | (a) Rathores of Marwar |
| 48 | (a) I, II, IV, III |
| 49 | (b) They were traditional bards and poets who preserved the historical exploits of Rajput clans. |
| 50 | (a) A-iii, B-ii, C-iv, 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.