History & Kingdoms — Set 19
Rajasthan GK · इतिहास और राज्य · Questions 181–190 of 200
What was the name of Maharana Pratap's famous horse that carried him to safety after the Battle of Haldighati (1576)?
Correct Answer: A. Chetak
Chetak was Maharana Pratap's loyal blue horse who carried his wounded master to safety after the Battle of Haldighati in 1576. Chetak was severely injured during the battle but continued to gallop until he collapsed and died after crossing a stream. A memorial to Chetak stands near Haldighati and he is celebrated in Rajasthani folklore as a symbol of loyalty and sacrifice.
By which year had Maharana Pratap recovered most of Mewar except Chittor, Mandalgarh, and Ajmer?
Correct Answer: C. 1585
By 1585, Maharana Pratap had recovered most of Mewar through guerrilla warfare while Mughal campaigns in the northwest diverted Akbar's attention. The Battle of Dewair (1582) was a decisive victory where Pratap defeated Mughal forces and began reclaiming territory. By his death in 1597, only Chittor, Mandalgarh, and Ajmer remained under Mughal control.
Man Singh I of Amber, who commanded Mughal forces at Haldighati, was the nephew of which Mughal empress?
Correct Answer: C. Jodha Bai (Mariam-uz-Zamani)
Man Singh I was the nephew of Jodha Bai (known in Mughal records as Mariam-uz-Zamani), the Kachwaha Rajput princess who became Emperor Akbar's wife. This matrimonial alliance between the Kachwahas of Amber and the Mughal court is a classic example of Mughal-Rajput cooperation. Man Singh rose to become one of Akbar's Navaratnas and a trusted military commander.
Which Rajput clan of Amber (Jaipur) entered into the most prominent matrimonial alliance with the Mughal emperors?
Correct Answer: C. Kachwahas of Amber
The Kachwaha Rajputs of Amber (later Jaipur) entered into the most prominent matrimonial alliance with the Mughals when Raja Bharmal gave his daughter in marriage to Emperor Akbar in 1562. Subsequent Kachwaha rulers served as high-ranking Mughal mansabdars and generals. This alliance benefited both sides as the Kachwahas gained power while Akbar gained loyal Rajput military support.
Which Maratha leaders invaded Rajasthan in the 18th century and extracted heavy tribute from Rajput states?
Correct Answer: C. Holkar and Scindia chiefs
The Maratha chiefs, particularly the Holkars and Scindias, invaded Rajasthan repeatedly in the 18th century and exacted heavy tribute from Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Udaipur. Daulat Rao Scindia exercised considerable influence over Rajputana at the peak of Maratha power. These incursions weakened the Rajput states and eventually pushed them towards accepting British protection through the 1818 treaties.
The British officer most responsible for concluding the subsidiary alliance treaties with Rajput states in 1817-1818 was:
Correct Answer: C. John Malcolm
Sir John Malcolm played a crucial role in negotiating several of the 1817-1818 subsidiary alliance treaties with Rajput states, while Charles Metcalfe concluded key agreements too. These treaties gave the British East India Company suzerainty over the princely states in exchange for protection from Maratha and Pindari attacks. The subsidiary alliance system required states to maintain British troops at their own expense.
Maharaja Ganga Singh of Bikaner represented India at which major international event after World War I?
Correct Answer: B. Paris Peace Conference (Treaty of Versailles) 1919
Maharaja Ganga Singh of Bikaner signed the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 as India's representative at the Paris Peace Conference, making him one of the first Indians to participate in international diplomacy. He also served in the Imperial War Cabinet during World War I. His progressive leadership transformed Bikaner from a desert state into a model principality with modern irrigation and infrastructure.
The Instrument of Accession signed by Rajput rulers in 1947 transferred which subjects to the Government of India?
Correct Answer: B. Only defence, foreign affairs, and communications
The Instruments of Accession signed by Rajput rulers in 1947 transferred only three subjects to the Government of India: defence, foreign affairs, and communications, while the states retained internal autonomy. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and V.P. Menon persuaded the Rajput princes to sign the instruments. Subsequent merger agreements gave up internal autonomy as well, leading to full integration into Rajasthan.
The integration of Rajputana into the Indian Union was completed through how many stages?
Correct Answer: C. Seven stages
The integration of Rajputana was completed through seven stages between 1948 and 1956. Starting with the Matsya Union (March 1948), it progressed through the Rajasthan Union, United State of Rajasthan, Greater Rajasthan, United State of Greater Rajasthan, Rajasthan with Matsya merger, and finally the present Rajasthan under the States Reorganisation Act on 1 November 1956. Each stage brought more princely states into the emerging union.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is called the Bismarck of India because he:
Correct Answer: B. Unified India by integrating princely states as Bismarck unified Germany
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is called the Bismarck of India because he unified India by integrating over 550 princely states, analogous to how Otto von Bismarck unified Germany in the 19th century. He is also called the Iron Man of India for his firm resolve. His deputy V.P. Menon did much of the negotiation work, and together they accomplished the integration of all Rajput states within a few years.