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 81–90 of 120 questions
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Sources of Rajasthan History
Q81. Consider the following ancient inscriptions: I. Barli Inscription II. Ghosundi Inscription III. Mandasor Inscription IV. Bijolia Inscription Which of the following represents the correct chronological order of their issuing dates?
Explanation
Placing these inscriptions in chronological order starts with the Barli Inscription from the pre-Christian era. The Ghosundi Inscription follows in the second century BC. The Mandasor Inscription dates to the mid-fifth century AD during the Gupta period, and the Bijolia Inscription is from 1170 AD. This sequence illustrates the long-standing epigraphic tradition in Rajasthan spanning over a millennium of historical record-keeping.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Sources of Rajasthan History
Q82. Which of the following best describes the historical utility of the ‘Chopda’?
Explanation
In the context of Rajasthan’s administrative and commercial history, a Chopda refers to a traditional ledger or account book. These were used by merchants (Mahajans) and state officials to record financial dealings, debts, and credits. They are valuable socio-economic sources, providing insights into the monetary systems, trade practices, and the daily economic life of the people in medieval and early modern times.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Sources of Rajasthan History
Q83. Consider the following statements regarding the ‘Akhbarat’: I. They are Persian court bulletins from the Mughal period. II. They provide valuable details about the diplomatic relations between Mughal emperors and Rajput states. III. They were exclusively written by British Residents in the 19th century. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Akhbarat were Persian court bulletins that recorded the daily proceedings and important events of the Mughal court. They are vital sources for historians because they document the diplomatic interactions between the Mughal emperors and the various Rajput states. These bulletins were written by official court recorders during the Mughal period, not by British Residents in the nineteenth century as incorrectly suggested in one statement.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Sources of Rajasthan History
Q84. The Kirti Stambha Prashasti primarily sheds light on the achievements of which Rajput ruler?
Explanation
The Kirti Stambha Prashasti primarily celebrates the multifaceted achievements of Maharana Kumbha of Mewar. Engraved on the Tower of Victory in Chittorgarh, it details his military conquests against the Sultans of Malwa and Gujarat, his construction of numerous forts, and his literary contributions. The inscription is a primary source for glorifying his reign and highlighting the cultural pinnacle reached by Mewar under his leadership.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Sources of Rajasthan History
Q85. Consider the following statements regarding the coins of medieval Rajasthan: I. Gajshahi coins were prevalent in Bikaner. II. Lallia coins were in circulation in Mewar. III. Chandori coins were used in Mewar. IV. Akhayshai coins were minted in Jaisalmer. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Medieval Rajasthan had several local currencies. Gajshahi coins were indeed used in Bikaner, while Chandori coins were prevalent in Mewar. Akhayshai coins were minted in the Jaisalmer state. However, the claim that Lallia coins were in circulation in Mewar is incorrect, as those were associated with different regions. Each state’s independent coinage was a marker of its regional authority and economic autonomy during the period.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Sources of Rajasthan History
Q86. Which of the following literary sources is a vital text for reconstructing the history of the Chauhans of Nadol and Jalore, and was composed by Padmanabha?
Explanation
Kanhadade Prabandh, composed by the poet Padmanabha, is an essential literary source for the history of the Chauhans of Jalore. It describes the valiant resistance of Kanhadadeva and his son Biramde against the forces of Alauddin Khalji in the early fourteenth century. The text is celebrated for its historical narrative and its preservation of the heroic values and local resistance traditions of the region.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Sources of Rajasthan History
Q87. Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): The bardic literature of Rajasthan, while rich in literary value, must be cross-verified with epigraphic and archival sources for historical accuracy. Reason (R): Charans and Bhats often employed hyperbole and eulogized their patrons, sometimes compromising objective historical facts. In the context of the above, which one of the following is correct?
Explanation
Bardic literature, while rich in cultural detail, must be cross-verified because Charans and Bhats often used hyperbole to glorify their patrons. Their works were intended to inspire and praise, which sometimes led to the exaggeration of military victories and the omission of defeats. Cross-referencing with contemporary inscriptions and administrative records ensures a more balanced and objective reconstruction of the historical events described in these poems.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Sources of Rajasthan History
Q88. Consider the following coins: I. Akhayshai (Jaisalmer) II. Vijayashahi (Jodhpur) III. Jharshahi (Jaipur) IV. Madanshahi (Jhalawar) Which of the following is the correct sequence of their respective issuing states from West to East geographically?
Explanation
Arranging these coins by their issuing states from west to east follows the geography of Rajasthan. Jaisalmer (Akhayshai) is the westernmost, followed by Jodhpur (Vijayashahi) in the central-west. Jaipur (Jharshahi) is located towards the east, and Jhalawar (Madanshahi) is in the southeastern region. This geographical progression highlights the distribution of independent monetary centers across the various princely states of Rajasthan.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Sources of Rajasthan History
Q89. Which of the following inscriptions provides the genealogy of the Rathores of Marwar up to Rao Siha?
Explanation
The Bithu Inscription, dated 1273 AD, is a critical source for the early history of the Rathores of Marwar. It records the death of Rao Siha, the founder of the Rathore dynasty in the region. This inscription provides the earliest authentic evidence regarding the migration and establishment of the Rathores in western Rajasthan, serving as a foundational record for their later genealogical and political expansion.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Sources of Rajasthan History
Q90. Match List I with List II:
Inscription
Associated Dynasty
A. Rasiya ki Chhatri Inscription
i. Chauhans
B. Shringi Rishi Inscription
ii. Rathores
C. Bijolia Inscription
iii. Guhilas/Sisodias (Mewar) - Narvarma period
D. Bithu Inscription
iv. Guhilas/Sisodias (Mewar) - Mokal period
Choose the correct code:
Explanation
The Rasiya ki Chhatri and Shringi Rishi inscriptions are both associated with the Guhila rulers of Mewar, documenting different periods like those of Narvarma and Mokal. The Bijolia Inscription is famously linked to the Chauhan dynasty, providing their Vatsa gotra origin. The Bithu Inscription is dedicated to the Rathore dynasty, marking the end of Rao Siha’s reign and the beginning of their local power.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
81
(a) I, II, III, IV
82
(a) A traditional ledger used for accounting by merchants and state officials.
83
(a) I and II
84
(d) Maharana Kumbha
85
(b) I, III, and IV
86
(b) Kanhadade Prabandh
87
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
88
(a) I, II, III, IV
89
(c) Bithu Inscription
90
(a) A-iii, B-iv, C-i, D-ii
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.
