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REET L2 · Social Studies

Rajasthan's Major Dynasties — REET Notes (Social Studies)

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Rajasthan's Guhil-Sisodia, Chauhan, Rathore and Kachhwaha dynasties shaped this region's politics and culture for centuries. REET pushes well past ruler names and dates on this topic — into the fine detail of fort architecture, specific historical comparisons and precise battle accounts — so understanding matters here far more than rote memorisation.

  • 4 questions in REET 2024
  • Class 6–8 level
  • 12 min read
Verified 17 September 2026 · Source: Wikipedia — Battle of Bhutala

How REET asks this topic

REET 2024's questions went very fine-grained — which building's name does NOT belong to Chittor fort (when that building is actually in Ranthambore fort); which Guhil ruler historian C.V. Vaidya compared to a European general; who fought the 'Battle of Bhutala'; and the names of Tarragarh (Ajmer)'s bastions. In other words, the exam goes well beyond the standard sequence of rulers, into the specific architecture of individual forts and lesser-discussed battles — the safest strategy is to attach every fort and every ruler firmly to its correct dynasty and event. General guide-book-level knowledge of Rajasthan is not enough here — at RBSE's level, you need to know two or three distinctive buildings of every major fort by name as well.

Rajasthan's major dynasties at a glance

DynastyMain centre / capitalFounder (traditional)Most famous ruler
Guhil-SisodiaChittor, later Udaipur (Mewar)Guhil / Bappa RawalRana Kumbha, Rana Sanga, Maharana Pratap
ChauhanAjmer and Delhi, later RanthamboreAjayraj (Ajaypal)Prithviraj III (Chauhan)
Rathore (Marwar)Mandore, later JodhpurRao Chunda, Rao Jodha (Jodhpur, 1459)Rao Maldev
Rathore (Bikaner branch)BikanerRao Bika (1488)Rai Singh (Junagarh fort)
KachhwahaAmer, later JaipurDulharai (traditional)Sawai Jai Singh II (founded Jaipur city, 1727)
BhatiJaisalmerRawal Jaisal (1156)Rawal Jaisal

Key links in the Guhil-Sisodia dynasty (Mewar)

Bappa Rawal
An early ruler of Mewar, associated with the capture of Chittor; historian C.V. Vaidya compared him to the French general Charles Martel — just as Martel halted the Arab advance in Europe, tradition credits Bappa Rawal with halting Arab invaders in India.
Jaitrasingh (13th century)
Forced the Delhi Sultan Iltutmish to retreat at the 'Battle of Bhutala'; this episode is recorded in Jaisingh Suri's work 'Hammir Madamardan'.
Rana Hammir
Re-established Mewar's independence in the 14th century and strengthened the Sisodia branch.
Rana Kumbha (1433–1468)
Defeated Mahmud Khilji, the Sultan of Malwa, at the Battle of Sarangpur (1437) and built the Vijay Stambh (Victory Tower) at Chittor to mark it; also the builder of Kumbhalgarh fort.
Rana Sanga (1509–1528)
Defeated Ibrahim Lodi's army at the Battle of Khatoli (1517), but was defeated by Babur at the Battle of Khanwa in 1527, and died of his wounds at Kalpi in 1528.
Maharana Pratap (1572–1597)
Faced Akbar's army (led by Man Singh) at the Battle of Haldighati (1576) — the battle itself was not militarily decisive, but Pratap refused to surrender and kept up his resistance in the years that followed.

Chittorgarh Fort's major buildings (avoid this mix-up)

BuildingAssociation
Vijay StambhBuilt by Rana Kumbha to mark his victory over Mahmud Khilji
Kirti StambhDedicated to the first Jain Tirthankara, Adinath; built by a family of Jain merchants
Shringar Chanwari PrasadAn ornate Jain temple complex
Bhamashah ki HaveliAssociated with Bhamashah, Rana Pratap's treasurer
Nawalakha BhandarThe state storehouse/treasury
Supari MahalNOT in Chittor — this one is located in the Ranthambore fort (Sawai Madhopur); this exact mix-up is what REET 2024 asked about

The Chauhan dynasty and Ajmer's Tarragarh fort

Founder
Ajayraj (Ajaypal) Chauhan laid the foundations of Ajmer city and the Tarragarh (Garh Bithli) fort.
Prithviraj III
Defeated Muhammad Ghori at the First Battle of Tarain (1191), but was himself defeated at the Second Battle of Tarain (1192) — this defeat brought Chauhan rule in Delhi-Ajmer to an end.
Tarragarh's bastions
The fort is counted as having 14 major bastions, including Ghunghat, Gugadi, Phooti, Bandra, Imli and Fateh.
The Ranthambore branch of the Chauhans
Hammirdev Chauhan was the last major ruler, who died fighting Alauddin Khilji in 1301; the Supari Mahal, noted above, is located in this very fort — do not mistake it for part of Chittor.

The Rathore and Kachhwaha dynasties

Rao Jodha
Founded Jodhpur city in 1459 and laid the foundations of Mehrangarh fort — Marwar's capital moved from Mandore to Jodhpur at this point.
Rao Bika
Founded Bikaner in 1488; the city's famous Junagarh fort was built later, by Raja Rai Singh.
Sawai Jai Singh II
Founded Jaipur city in 1727 — one of India's first planned cities, whose chief architect was Vidyadhar Bhattacharya; before this, the Kachhwaha capital was Amer (Amer fort).

How to teach children

Classroom activity (Class 6–8)

Have students mark Chittor, Ajmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Amer-Jaipur and Jaisalmer on a map of Rajasthan and write the associated dynasty next to each — this significantly reduces the confusion over 'which fort belongs to which dynasty'.

Teaching aid

Show a collection of photographs of a single fort (say, Chittorgarh) and ask students to identify the Vijay Stambh and Kirti Stambh, and to explain how they differ from one another.

Common misconception

Children often assume the Vijay Stambh and Kirti Stambh are the same thing, or mix up the famous buildings of different forts (such as attaching Supari Mahal to Chittor) — each building needs to be firmly linked to its correct fort and ruler.

Assessment idea

A 'match the ruler to their biggest achievement' activity (for example, Rana Kumbha–Vijay Stambh, Rao Jodha–Mehrangarh, Sawai Jai Singh–Jaipur city) allows for a quick check of understanding.

Memory trick

Remember Rana Sanga's battles in order: 'Won at Khatoli (1517), lost at Khanwa (1527)' — both names start with 'Kha', but the outcomes are opposite. And to avoid the Chittor-versus-Ranthambore mix-up, remember: 'the Supari Mahal's sweetness is in Ranthambore, not Chittor' — that is, always attach Supari Mahal to Ranthambore.

REET 2024 questions asked (with solutions)

Question 96

Which of the following buildings is not located in the Chittor Fort ?

  1. Aभामाशाह की हवेली
  2. Bशृंगार चंवरी प्रासाद
  3. Cनवलखा भण्डार
  4. Dसुपारी महल

Explanation

सुपारी महल सवाई माधोपुर जिले के रणथम्भौर दुर्ग में स्थित है, चित्तौड़गढ़ दुर्ग में नहीं। चित्तौड़गढ़ दुर्ग के दर्शनीय स्थलों में भामाशाह की हवेली, शृंगार चंवरी (एक कलात्मक जैन मंदिर) और नवलखा (नौलखा) भण्डार शामिल हैं। इसलिए सही उत्तर (D) सुपारी महल है।

Question 142

Which Guhil ruler has been compared by historian C. V. Vaidya with French Commander Charles Martel ?

  1. Aबप्पा रावल
  2. Bमहाराणा कुम्भा
  3. Cराणा हम्मीर
  4. Dराणा सांगा

Explanation

इतिहासकार सी. वी. वैद्य ने मेवाड़ के गुहिल शासक बप्पा रावल की तुलना फ्रांसीसी सेनापति चार्ल्स मार्टेल से की है। जैसे चार्ल्स मार्टेल ने यूरोप में अरब आक्रमण को रोका था, वैसे ही बप्पा रावल को भारत में अरब आक्रमणकारियों को रोकने वाला माना जाता है।

Question 96

Between whom was the ‘Battle of Bhutala’ fought

  1. Aमहाराणा कुम्भा और महमूद खिल्जी I
  2. Bजैत्र सिंह और इल्तुतमिश
  3. Cराणा सांगा और इब्राहिम लोदी
  4. Dमहाराणा प्रताप और अकबर

Explanation

भूताला का युद्ध मेवाड़ के गुहिल शासक जैत्रसिंह और दिल्ली सुल्तान इल्तुतमिश के बीच (लगभग 1227–1234 ई. के मध्य) लड़ा गया था। इसकी जानकारी जयसिंह सूरी की रचना ‘हम्मीर मदमर्दन’ से मिलती है, जिसके अनुसार इल्तुतमिश को पीछे हटना पड़ा। राणा सांगा और इब्राहिम लोदी के बीच खातोली व बाड़ी के युद्ध हुए, तथा प्रताप-अकबर के बीच हल्दीघाटी का युद्ध हुआ।

Question 146

Ghunghat, Gugadi, Footi, Bandra, Imali and Feteh Burj are related to which fort of Rajasthan ?

  1. Aमेहरानगढ़ (जोधपुर)
  2. Bतारागढ़ (अजमेर)
  3. Cजूनागढ़ (बीकानेर)
  4. Dकुंभलगढ़ (राजसमंद)

Explanation

घूंघट, गूगड़ी, फूटा (फूटी), बांदरा, इमली और फतेह बुर्ज अजमेर के तारागढ़ (गढ़ बीठली) दुर्ग के 14 बुर्जों में गिने जाते हैं। इस दुर्ग का निर्माण चौहान शासक अजयपाल/अजयराज से जोड़ा जाता है। अतः सही उत्तर (B) तारागढ़ (अजमेर) है।

Practice questions

Question 1

In memory of which victory did Rana Kumbha build the Vijay Stambh (Victory Tower) at Chittor?

  1. Aराणा सांगा की खानवा विजय
  2. Bमालवा के सुल्तान महमूद खिल्जी पर विजय
  3. Cपृथ्वीराज चौहान की तराइन विजय
  4. Dबप्पा रावल की अरब आक्रमणकारियों पर विजय

Explanation

Rana Kumbha defeated Mahmud Khilji, the Sultan of Malwa, at the Battle of Sarangpur in 1437, and built the Vijay Stambh at Chittor fort to commemorate this victory.

Question 2

The Battle of Haldighati (1576) was fought between which two sides?

  1. Aराणा सांगा और बाबर
  2. Bपृथ्वीराज चौहान और मुहम्मद ग़ोरी
  3. Cमहाराणा प्रताप और अकबर की सेना (मानसिंह के नेतृत्व में)
  4. Dराणा कुम्भा और महमूद खिल्जी

Explanation

The Battle of Haldighati (1576) was fought between Maharana Pratap and Akbar's army, led by Amer's Raja Man Singh. It was not militarily decisive.

Question 3

Who defeated Prithviraj Chauhan in the Second Battle of Tarain (1192)?

  1. Aमुहम्मद ग़ोरी
  2. Bअलाउद्दीन खिलजी
  3. Cमहमूद ग़ज़नवी
  4. Dइल्तुतमिश

Explanation

Prithviraj Chauhan defeated Muhammad Ghori at the First Battle of Tarain (1191), but in 1192 Muhammad Ghori defeated Prithviraj at the Second Battle of Tarain, ending Chauhan rule in Delhi-Ajmer.

Question 4

Who founded the city of Jodhpur and Mehrangarh Fort?

  1. Aराव बीका
  2. Bराव जोधा
  3. Cराव मालदेव
  4. Dराव चूंडा

Explanation

Rao Jodha founded Jodhpur city in 1459 and laid the foundations of Mehrangarh fort. Rao Bika later founded Bikaner.

Question 5

Who was the last major Chauhan ruler of Ranthambore Fort, who died fighting Alauddin Khilji in 1301?

  1. Aपृथ्वीराज तृतीय
  2. Bहम्मीरदेव चौहान
  3. Cअजयराज
  4. Dविग्रहराज चतुर्थ

Explanation

Hammirdev Chauhan was the last major Chauhan ruler of Ranthambore fort, who died fighting bravely against Alauddin Khilji's siege in 1301.

Question 6

In which year did Sawai Jai Singh II found the city of Jaipur?

  1. A1459
  2. B1488
  3. C1727
  4. D1576

Explanation

The Kachhwaha ruler Sawai Jai Singh II founded Jaipur city in 1727, and its chief architect was Vidyadhar Bhattacharya. Before this, the Kachhwaha capital was Amer.

Question 7

Which of the following pairs is NOT correctly matched?

  1. Aराव जोधा — मेहरानगढ़ (जोधपुर)
  2. Bराव बीका — जूनागढ़ की स्थापना (बीकानेर)
  3. Cराणा कुम्भा — कुम्भलगढ़ दुर्ग
  4. Dअजयराज — तारागढ़ (अजमेर)

Explanation

Rao Bika founded the city of Bikaner in 1488, but the Junagarh fort there was built later, by Raja Rai Singh, not by Rao Bika. The remaining three pairs are correctly matched.

Question 8

While teaching the dynasties of Rajasthan in Class 7, a teacher has children mark Chittor, Ajmer, Jodhpur and Jaipur on a map and write the corresponding dynasty next to each. What is the biggest educational benefit of this activity?

  1. Aबच्चों को चित्रकला में दक्ष बनाना
  2. Bदुर्ग-स्थान और राजवंश के बीच के भ्रम को दूर करना
  3. Cपरीक्षा की तैयारी को नज़रअंदाज़ करना
  4. Dकेवल भूगोल पढ़ाना

Explanation

Map-based matching activities give children a clear understanding of which fort/city is linked to which dynasty, which reduces the common exam mistake of mixing up different forts.

Question 9

The 'Battle of Bhutala' was fought between which Mewar ruler and which Delhi Sultan?

  1. Aराणा हम्मीर — मुहम्मद बिन तुगलक
  2. Bजैत्रसिंह — इल्तुतमिश
  3. Cराणा सांगा — इब्राहीम लोदी
  4. Dराणा कुम्भा — महमूद खिल्जी

Explanation

The Battle of Bhutala was fought in the 13th century between Mewar's Guhil ruler Jaitrasingh and the Delhi Sultan Iltutmish, in which Jaitrasingh forced Iltutmish to retreat.

Question 10

The Kirti Stambh (Tower of Fame) located in Chittorgarh Fort is dedicated to which Tirthankara?

  1. Aमहावीर स्वामी
  2. Bपार्श्वनाथ
  3. Cआदिनाथ (ऋषभदेव)
  4. Dनेमिनाथ

Explanation

The Kirti Stambh, located at Chittorgarh fort, is dedicated to the first Jain Tirthankara, Adinath (Rishabhdev). It should not be confused with the Vijay Stambh (the victory memorial for the win over Mahmud Khilji).

Frequently asked questions

How many questions come from Rajasthan's major dynasties in REET?+

REET 2024 carried 4 questions on this topic — it is the heaviest and most regularly-tested sub-topic within Rajasthan history.

Which battles is Rana Sanga best known for?+

Rana Sanga defeated Ibrahim Lodi at the Battle of Khatoli (1517), but he was defeated by Babur at the Battle of Khanwa in 1527, after which he died in 1528.

Between whom, and when, was the Battle of Haldighati fought?+

The Battle of Haldighati was fought in 1576 between Maharana Pratap and Akbar's army, led by Amer's Raja Man Singh. It was not militarily decisive, but Pratap refused to accept Akbar's overlordship.

Who founded Jodhpur and Bikaner?+

Jodhpur was founded by Rao Jodha in 1459, and Bikaner was founded by Rao Bika in 1488 — both belong to different branches of the Rathore dynasty.

Who founded Jaipur city, and when?+

Jaipur city was founded by the Kachhwaha ruler Sawai Jai Singh II in 1727. It is counted among India's first planned cities, and its chief architect was Vidyadhar Bhattacharya.

Why is Bappa Rawal compared to Charles Martel?+

Historian C.V. Vaidya compared Bappa Rawal to the French general Charles Martel, because just as Martel halted the Arab advance in Europe, tradition credits Bappa Rawal with resisting Arab invaders in India.

Read next

The Integration of Rajasthan

The full process by which the princely states were integrated after independence.

Rajasthan's Painting

The painting styles that flourished in the courts of these very dynasties.

REET Syllabus

The complete REET Level 1 and Level 2 syllabus in one place.

REET 2024 Solved Paper

All of REET 2024's solved questions, by subject.

Official Sources

  1. Wikipedia — Battle of Bhutala
  2. Wikipedia — Battle of Khanwa
  3. Wikipedia — Vidyadhar Bhattacharya

Change Log

  • 17 September 2026 — English page published — mirrors the fact-checked Hindi page, independently bilingual-accuracy checked