Q51. The monumental work ‘Vamsh Bhaskar’, left incomplete but later finished by Muraridan, details the history of which state?
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 51–60 of 120 questions
Q52. Consider the following statements regarding ‘Veli Krisan Rukmani Ri’:
I. It was composed by Prithviraj Rathore of Bikaner.
II. It was written in the northern Marwari dialect (Dingal).
III. L. P. Tessitori praised its literary merit immensely.
IV. It details the military campaigns of Rao Jodha.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. It was composed by Prithviraj Rathore of Bikaner.
II. It was written in the northern Marwari dialect (Dingal).
III. L. P. Tessitori praised its literary merit immensely.
IV. It details the military campaigns of Rao Jodha.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Veli Krisan Rukmani Ri is a classic of Dingal literature composed by Prithviraj Rathore of Bikaner. The work was highly praised by the Italian scholar L. P. Tessitori for its literary excellence. While it is a masterpiece of northern Marwari dialect, it is primarily a devotional and poetic work centered on the mythological marriage of Krishna and Rukmani, rather than Rao Jodha’s campaigns.
Q53. Which of the following ancient coins discovered in Rajasthan are considered the oldest numismatic evidence in the region, generally bearing only symbols and no written legends?
Explanation
Punch-marked coins, known as Ahat mudrayen, represent the oldest numismatic evidence in Rajasthan. These coins are characterized by symbols like the sun, mountains, and animals being punched onto the metal surface, usually silver or copper. They do not contain written legends or dates, reflecting a very early stage of monetary development associated with the Mahajanapada and Mauryan periods in Indian history.
Q54. A significant hoard of ancient coins belonging to the Malava Janapada was discovered at which archaeological site?
Explanation
A massive hoard of coins belonging to the Malava Janapada was discovered at the archaeological site of Nagar in the Tonk district. These coins are notable for their small size and the presence of the legend Malavanam Jayah, celebrating the victory of the Malavas. This discovery provides crucial evidence for the political presence and economic activity of the Malava tribe in eastern Rajasthan.
Q55. Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as
Reason (R).
Assertion (A): Excavations at Bairath yielded a hoard of 36 silver coins, out of which 28 belong to Indo-Greek rulers.
Reason (R): This numismatic evidence suggests that the region of Bairath was under the political influence or active trade network of Indo-Greek kings like Menander. In the context of the above, which one of the following is correct?
Reason (R).
Assertion (A): Excavations at Bairath yielded a hoard of 36 silver coins, out of which 28 belong to Indo-Greek rulers.
Reason (R): This numismatic evidence suggests that the region of Bairath was under the political influence or active trade network of Indo-Greek kings like Menander. In the context of the above, which one of the following is correct?
Explanation
Excavations at Bairath yielded a significant hoard of thirty-six silver coins, of which twenty-eight were attributed to Indo-Greek rulers, including Menander. This large proportion of foreign coinage indicates that the Bairath region was either directly under Indo-Greek political control or deeply integrated into their active trade networks. Such numismatic evidence is essential for reconstructing the international connections of ancient Rajasthan.
Q56. Consider the following statements regarding numismatic sources of ancient history:
I. Sibi Janapada coins have been primarily found at Nagari (Madhyamika).
II. Yaudheya coins are predominantly found in the northern parts of Rajasthan (Ganganagar-Hanumangarh).
III. The discovery of Gupta gold coins at Bayana (Bharatpur) is the largest hoard of its kind in India.
IV. Punch-marked coins were usually made of gold.
V. Indo-Greek coins in Rajasthan often bear bilingual legends.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. Sibi Janapada coins have been primarily found at Nagari (Madhyamika).
II. Yaudheya coins are predominantly found in the northern parts of Rajasthan (Ganganagar-Hanumangarh).
III. The discovery of Gupta gold coins at Bayana (Bharatpur) is the largest hoard of its kind in India.
IV. Punch-marked coins were usually made of gold.
V. Indo-Greek coins in Rajasthan often bear bilingual legends.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Numismatic sources reveal the diverse history of Rajasthan. Sibi coins were found at Nagari, and Yaudheya coins appear in the north. The Bayana hoard is the largest Gupta gold collection. Indo- Greek coins frequently feature bilingual legends. However, punch-marked coins were primarily made of silver or copper, not gold, making the statement regarding their golden composition historically inaccurate for that period.
Q57. The ‘Bayana Hoard’ discovered in Bharatpur is historically famous for containing thousands of coins belonging to which ancient Indian dynasty?
Explanation
The Bayana Hoard, discovered in Bharatpur, is historically famous for being the largest collection of Gupta period gold coins ever found. It contains thousands of coins issued by various Gupta emperors, including Chandragupta II and Kumargupta I. This hoard is critical for studying the iconography, metallurgy, and the extent of the Gupta Empire’s economic influence over the Rajasthan region.
Q58. Identify the incorrect pair regarding the coins of medieval Rajput states and their respective issuing states:
Explanation
The pair Gajshahi and Mewar is incorrect because Gajshahi coins were actually the primary currency issued by the Bikaner state. Mewar was known for different currencies, such as the Swaroopshahi and Chandori coins. On the other hand, Akhayshai coins were minted in Jaisalmer, Jharshahi in Jaipur, and Vijayashahi in Jodhpur, reflecting the independent monetary authority of each major princely state.
Q59. Match List I with List II:
Choose the correct code:
| Coin Name | Princely State |
|---|---|
| A. Swaroopshahi | i. Dholpur |
| B. Dhabushahi | ii. Mewar |
| C. Tamancha Shahi | iii. Marwar |
| D. Jharshahi | iv. Jaipur |
Explanation
The Swaroopshahi coins were minted in Mewar, while Dhabushahi coins were prevalent in the Marwar region. Tamancha Shahi coins were characteristic of the Dholpur state, featuring a pistol symbol. Jharshahi coins were the primary currency of Jaipur, named after the six-branched tree (jhar) symbol found on them. These diverse coinages represent the sovereign rights and local identities of the Rajput states.
Q60. ‘Madan Shahi’ coins were the primary currency of which erstwhile princely state?
Explanation
Madan Shahi coins were the official currency of the Jhalawar state, which was established as a separate entity from Kota in the nineteenth century. These coins are important numismatic markers for the relatively short history of Jhalawar as an independent princely state. They reflect the continuation of the tradition where each newly formed or sovereign state asserted its status through independent coinage.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 51 | (c) Bundi |
| 52 | (a) I, II, and III |
| 53 | (c) Punch-marked coins (Ahat mudrayen). |
| 54 | (b) Nagar (Tonk) |
| 55 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 56 | (a) I, II, III, and V |
| 57 | (c) Guptas |
| 58 | (a) Gajshahi - Mewar |
| 59 | (d) A-ii, B-iii, C-i, D-iv |
| 60 | (b) Jhalawar |
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.