Indian History and Freedom Movement
This domain tests ancient sites in Rajasthan, Rajput dynasties and battles, the 1857 uprising in the state, peasant and tribal movements, and the national freedom struggle.
Prehistory and ancient sites
- Bagor (Bhilwara) is a Mesolithic site; Kalibangan (Hanumangarh), on the dry Ghaggar, is a Harappan site known for a ploughed field and fire altars; Ahar (Udaipur) is Chalcolithic; Bairath (Viratnagar, Jaipur) shows Mauryan links.
Rajput period and battles
- Chauhans of Ajmer: Prithviraj Chauhan III fought Muhammad Ghori at Tarain in 1191 and 1192.
- Mewar: Rana Sanga was defeated by Babur at Khanwa in 1527; Maharana Pratap fought Akbar's army led by Man Singh at Haldighati in 1576.
- Rao Jodha founded Jodhpur in 1459; the Kachwahas ruled Amber, and the Hadas ruled Bundi and Kota.
1857 and after
- The first outbreak in the region occurred at Nasirabad (Ajmer) on 28 May 1857; Kota also rose, and Kushal Singh of Auwa (Pali) led resistance, with Tantya Tope active in the area.
- Peasant and tribal movements: the Bijolia movement (Bhilwara) associated with Vijay Singh Pathik; the Eki movement of Motilal Tejawat among Bhils; the Mangarh massacre of 17 November 1913 under Govind Guru.
National movement
- Indian National Congress founded in 1885; Partition of Bengal 1905; Non-Cooperation 1920; Dandi March from 12 March to 6 April 1930; Quit India 1942; Independence Act 1947.
Worked example
A question asks between whom the Battle of Haldighati (1576) was fought. Reasoning: it was Maharana Pratap against the Mughal army commanded by Man Singh, sent by Akbar; the pass lies near Gogunda in Udaipur.
Traps
- Khanwa (1527) and Haldighati (1576) are different battles with different opponents.
- Prithviraj Chauhan lost at the Second Battle of Tarain in 1192.
- Mangarh (1913) is often confused with the Khejarli sacrifice of 1730.