RAS question
Who founded the city of Ajmer?
Correct answer: (B) Ajayaraja II.
Ajayaraja II founded Ajayameru, the city now known as Ajmer, in the early 12th century.
Explanation
Ajmer's older name was Ajayameru, and the Rajasthan ULB Ajmer history profile identifies it as a city established by a Shakambhari Chahamana, or Chauhan, ruler. For this RAS question, the relevant ruler is Ajayaraja II: he belongs to the early 12th century, founded Ajayameru, and shifted the Chauhan capital from Shakambhari, or Sambhar, to Ajmer. That capital shift is the key reason the answer is Ajayaraja II rather than a later famous Chauhan ruler. His association with Taragarh fort also reinforces Ajmer's emergence as a Chauhan political centre.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Vigraharaja IV came after Ajayaraja II, so he cannot be credited with the founding of Ajayameru.
- (C) Vasudeva is associated with the legendary origin of the Chauhan clan, not with founding the city of Ajmer.
- (D) Prithviraj III was a later ruler of Ajmer, so his importance belongs to a later phase of Chauhan history.
Concept
This tests early medieval Rajasthan history, especially the rise of the Shakambhari Chahamanas and the political geography of Chauhan power. RAS repeats such questions because founders, capitals and forts are core markers in Rajasthan's dynastic chronology.