Temples, Forts, Palaces and Monuments: RAS Prelims MCQs
106 RAS Prelims MCQs on temples, forts, palaces and monuments of Rajasthan test builders, features and locations. Temple styles, the UNESCO hill forts, Kumbhalgarh, Jaisalmer, Amber and Jaipur monuments appear again and again, often through one distinguishing detail, so link each monument to its builder, its district and its feature.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 11–20 of 106 questions
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Temples, Forts, Palaces and Monuments
Q11. Consider the following statements regarding Ranthambore Fort: I. It is situated within the boundaries of the Ranthambore National Park. II. The fort is closely associated with the historical figure Hammir Dev Chauhan. III. It contains the renowned Trinetra Ganesh Temple. IV. It was famously besieged and captured by Alauddin Khalji in 1301. V. It was the primary capital of the Mewar kingdom before the rise of Udaipur. Which of the above combination of statements is incorrect?
Explanation
Ranthambore Fort lies in Ranthambore National Park, is tied to Hammir Dev Chauhan, has the Trinetra Ganesh temple and was captured by Alauddin Khalji in 1301. It was never the capital of Mewar, so V is incorrect.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Temples, Forts, Palaces and Monuments
Q12. Identify the architect responsible for the design of the Kumbhalgarh Fort under the patronage of Rana Kumbha.
Explanation
Mandan, a noted architect and writer on architecture, designed Kumbhalgarh for Rana Kumbha. Vidyadhar Bhattacharya is the planner of Jaipur.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Temples, Forts, Palaces and Monuments
Q13. The innermost and most fortified section of the Kumbhalgarh Fort, which served as the personal residence of Rana Kumbha, is known by what name?
Explanation
Katargarh is the innermost and most strongly defended part of Kumbhalgarh, and it was the private residence of Rana Kumbha. It stands at the top of the fort.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Temples, Forts, Palaces and Monuments
Q14. Match List-I (Monuments/Palaces) with List- II (Associated Rulers/Founders) and select the correct answer.
Monuments/Palaces
Associated Rulers/Founders
A. Hawa Mahal, Jaipur
i. Maharana Jagat Singh II
B. City Palace, Jaipur
ii. Maharaja Umaid Singh
C. Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur
iii. Sawai Pratap Singh
D. Lake Palace (Jag Niwas), Udaipur
iv. Sawai Jai Singh II
Explanation
Sawai Pratap Singh built the Hawa Mahal, Sawai Jai Singh II built the City Palace of Jaipur, Maharaja Umaid Singh built the Umaid Bhawan Palace of Jodhpur and Maharana Jagat Singh II built the Lake Palace (Jag Niwas) of Udaipur. This gives A-iii, B-iv, C-ii, D-i.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Temples, Forts, Palaces and Monuments
Q15. The unique five-story exterior of the Hawa Mahal in Jaipur is designed in the shape of which religious symbol?
Explanation
The five-storied front of the Hawa Mahal is designed in the shape of the crown (Mukut) of Lord Krishna. Its many small windows, the jharokhas, allowed royal women to watch street life without being seen.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Temples, Forts, Palaces and Monuments
Q16. Which is the primary astronomical function of the ‘Samrat Yantra’ located within the Jantar Mantar observatory in Jaipur?
Explanation
The Samrat Yantra of the Jantar Mantar is a giant sundial. It measures local time accurately from the shadow of its gnomon, and it is the largest instrument in the observatory.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Temples, Forts, Palaces and Monuments
Q17. The following cities are prominent historical capitals in Rajasthan. Arrange them in the correct chronological sequence of their establishment, from earliest to latest:
Explanation
Chittorgarh is the oldest of the four capitals, Jodhpur was founded in 1459, Udaipur in 1559 and Jaipur in 1727. The order is Chittorgarh, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Jaipur.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Temples, Forts, Palaces and Monuments
Q18. Which artificial lake in Udaipur features a small island that houses a solar observatory, and was named after the Duke of Connaught during its reconstruction?
Explanation
Fateh Sagar Lake in Udaipur has an island with a solar observatory. The lake was rebuilt after a flood, and the embankment was named Connaught Bund after the Duke of Connaught.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Temples, Forts, Palaces and Monuments
Q19. Identify the pair that is incorrectly matched regarding the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Rajasthan.
Explanation
Keoladeo National Park is a natural World Heritage Site, and Jantar Mantar and the Pink City of Jaipur are cultural sites. The Hill Forts of Rajasthan were inscribed in 2013 as a cultural site, so D is the incorrect pair.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Temples, Forts, Palaces and Monuments
Q20. Which of the following forts was not included in the "Hill Forts of Rajasthan" serial site designated by UNESCO in 2013?
Explanation
The Hill Forts of Rajasthan inscribed in 2013 are Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Ranthambore, Gagron, Amber and Jaisalmer. Taragarh Fort at Ajmer is not part of the group.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
11
(b) V only
12
(c) Mandan
13
(d) Katargarh
14
(a) A-iii, B-iv, C-ii, D-i
15
(d) The crown (Mukut) of Lord Krishna
16
(a) To measure local time accurately using the shadow of its gnomon
17
(b) Chittorgarh, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Jaipur
18
(a) Fateh Sagar Lake
19
(d) Hill Forts of Rajasthan - Natural Site
20
(b) Taragarh Fort
Key facts from Temples, Forts, Palaces and Monuments
Maha-Maru is the Rajasthan regional variation of the Nagara style of temple architecture.
Kumbhalgarh was designed by Mandan under Rana Kumbha, and its innermost section, Katargarh, was his residence.
The Ranakpur Jain temple is known for its 1,444 uniquely carved marble pillars.
The Jaivana at Jaigarh Fort is a large wheeled cannon.
Jaisalmer Fort, on Trikuta Hill, is a living fort with 99 bastions.
The Kirti Stambh at Chittorgarh is a seven-storied pillar built by the Jain merchant Jija Bhargava.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Temples, Forts, Palaces and Monuments?
This page has 106 practice MCQs on Temples, Forts, Palaces and Monuments (Rajasthan History, Art and Culture). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which Rajasthan forts are in the UNESCO Hill Forts group?
Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Ranthambore, Gagron, Amer and Jaisalmer, inscribed together in 2013 as the Hill Forts of Rajasthan. Forts such as Taragarh in Ajmer are not part of the inscribed group.
What is a living fort?
A fort where a large civilian population still lives inside the fortification walls. Jaisalmer Fort is the best-known example, with homes, shops, temples and hotels inside its walls on Trikuta Hill.
Who designed Kumbhalgarh?
The architect Mandan, under the patronage of Rana Kumbha, who built many of the fortresses of Mewar. Kumbhalgarh also served as a refuge for the Mewar royal family in crises and is known for its long encircling wall.
