Q61. Which of the following princely states issued the ‘Rao Shahi’ coins?
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 61–70 of 120 questions
Q62. Consider the following statements:
I. The right to mint coins was considered a symbol of sovereignty by the Rajput states.
II. After the treaties of 1818, the British East India Company immediately abolished all local mints in Rajasthan.
III. ‘Kaldar’ was the local term used for the British Indian rupee introduced in Rajputana.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. The right to mint coins was considered a symbol of sovereignty by the Rajput states.
II. After the treaties of 1818, the British East India Company immediately abolished all local mints in Rajasthan.
III. ‘Kaldar’ was the local term used for the British Indian rupee introduced in Rajputana.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Minting coins was a vital symbol of sovereignty for Rajput states. While the British introduced their own currency, the Kaldar rupee, they did not immediately abolish all local mints after the treaties of 1818. Many states continued to use and mint their own coins for several decades, leading to a complex monetary environment where British and local currencies circulated simultaneously until final standardization.
Q63. Which Chinese traveler visited Bhinmal and Bairath in the 7th century AD and left an account of these places in his records?
Explanation
Hiuen Tsang, the celebrated Chinese Buddhist monk, visited Rajasthan during his travels in the seventh century AD. He provided detailed descriptions of Bhinmal and Bairath in his famous work Si-Yu-Ki. His observations regarding the social conditions, the presence of Buddhism, and the political boundaries of the Gurjara kingdom are invaluable primary sources for reconstructing the history of early medieval India.
Q64. Hiuen Tsang in his travelogue ‘Si-Yu-Ki’ referred to the kingdom of Gurjara with its capital at Bhinmal by which of the following names?
Explanation
In his travelogue, Hiuen Tsang used phonetic transcriptions for Indian place names. He referred to Bhinmal, the capital of the Gurjara kingdom, as Pilo-mo-lo. His account describes the prosperity of the city and the presence of both Hindu and Buddhist populations. This external perspective helps historians confirm the strategic and cultural importance of Bhinmal during the reign of the Gurjara-Pratiharas.
Q65. Based on foreign travellers’ accounts, identify the correct statement regarding Sir Thomas Roe’s visit to Rajasthan.
Explanation
Sir Thomas Roe, the English ambassador sent by King James I, famously met the Mughal Emperor Jahangir at the Magazine Fort in Ajmer in 1616. His goal was to secure commercial treaties and trading rights for the British East India Company. Roe’s journals provide a detailed outsider’s perspective on the Mughal court’s functioning, diplomatic etiquette, and the lifestyle of the imperial elite.
Q66. François Bernier, a French physician and traveller, wrote detailed accounts of a major political event he witnessed, which had significant involvement of Rajput kings like Jaswant Singh of Jodhpur. What was the event?
Explanation
François Bernier was a French physician who spent several years in the Mughal court. He was an eyewitness to the bloody War of Succession between the sons of Shah Jahan, particularly the struggle between Dara Shikoh and Aurangzeb. His accounts describe the pivotal role played by Rajput generals, such as Jaswant Singh of Jodhpur, and offer a detailed narrative of the political instability.
Q67. Which of the following is the odd one out with respect to being a foreign traveller who documented aspects of historical relevance?
Explanation
Tavernier, Manucci, and Bernier were all foreign travelers who left extensive written accounts of their experiences in India during the seventeenth century. In contrast, Chand Bardai was a local Indian poet and courtier from the twelfth century. While he is a significant historical figure, his role and the nature of his work differ fundamentally from the travelogues provided by foreign European visitors.
Q68. Which of the following represents the correct chronological sequence of the visits of foreign travellers who recorded observations pertinent to the region?
Explanation
Determining the chronological order of these visitors requires placing them in their respective centuries. Hiuen Tsang visited India in the seventh century during the reign of Harshavardhana. Sir Thomas Roe arrived at the Mughal court in the early seventeenth century under Jahangir. François Bernier visited later in the same century, witnessing the transition from Shah Jahan’s reign to that of Aurangzeb.
Q69. Col. James Tod’s seminal work ‘Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan’ was first published in which year?
Explanation
Colonel James Tod’s landmark work, Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, was first published in 1829. This two-volume series is considered one of the most comprehensive accounts of Rajput history, geography, and customs written by a British official. It played a significant role in romanticizing the history of Rajasthan and remains a foundational source for studying the regional past, despite later scholarly revisions.
Q70. Match List I with List II:
Choose the correct code:
| Author/Official | Contribution/Work |
|---|---|
| A. Col. James Tod | i. Rajputana Gazetteers |
| B. William Franklin | ii. Military Memoirs of Mr. George Thomas |
| C. K. D. Erskine | iii. Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan |
| D. L. P. Tessitori | iv. Bardic and Historical Survey of Rajputana |
Explanation
Colonel James Tod wrote the famous Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, while William Franklin authored the Military Memoirs of Mr. George Thomas. K. D. Erskine is known for compiling various Rajputana Gazetteers during the colonial era. L. P. Tessitori, an Italian scholar, conducted an extensive Bardic and Historical Survey of Rajputana, particularly focusing on the folklore and literature of the Bikaner region.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 61 | (c) Alwar |
| 62 | (b) I and III |
| 63 | (a) Hiuen Tsang (Xuanzang) |
| 64 | (b) Pilo-mo-lo |
| 65 | (b) He met Emperor Jahangir at the Magazine Fort in Ajmer in 1616. |
| 66 | (a) The War of Succession among the sons of Shah Jahan. |
| 67 | (c) Chand Bardai |
| 68 | (a) Hiuen Tsang, Thomas Roe, François Bernier |
| 69 | (b) 1829 |
| 70 | (b) A-iii, B-ii, C-i, 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.