Q91. In the context of traditional water classification systems in arid regions, what does ‘Rejani Pani’ specifically refer to?
Water Bodies and Water Heritage: RAS Prelims MCQs
101 RAS Prelims MCQs on the water bodies and water heritage of Rajasthan cover traditional harvesting structures and famous lakes. The reasons for water conservation in an arid land, stepwell design, the Khadin and Kund systems and the history of the lakes of Udaipur and Ajmer are all part of the question set, and the explanations link each structure to its region.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 91–100 of 101 questions
Q92. Which of the following is the odd one out regarding the traditional categories of water as understood in the Thar region?
Explanation
Palar Pani, Patal Pani and Rejani Pani are the three traditional categories of water in the Thar. Bisleri Pani is a modern packaged-water brand, so it is the odd one out.
Q93. Consider the following indigenous methods traditionally used to detect the presence of shallow groundwater before digging a well or Kuin.
I. Observing the presence of specific deep-rooted vegetation like the Khejri or Rohida trees.
II. Analyzing the moisture content and color of termite mounds.
III. Using advanced satellite ground-penetrating radar.
IV. Observing the behavioral patterns of local wildlife and grazing animals.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. Observing the presence of specific deep-rooted vegetation like the Khejri or Rohida trees.
II. Analyzing the moisture content and color of termite mounds.
III. Using advanced satellite ground-penetrating radar.
IV. Observing the behavioral patterns of local wildlife and grazing animals.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Local people judged the likelihood of groundwater from deep-rooted trees such as Khejri and Rohida, from termite mounds and from how animals behaved. Satellite ground-penetrating radar is not a traditional method.
Q94. Read the following statements regarding nomadic pastoralists and water knowledge in Rajasthan.
Statement I: Nomadic pastoral communities in Rajasthan possessed deep indigenous knowledge of traversing long distances by relying on a hidden network of natural springs and traditional dug wells.
Statement II: The routes taken by pastoralists purposefully avoided all water sources to prevent taxing the local village resources.
Which of the following is correct?
Statement I: Nomadic pastoral communities in Rajasthan possessed deep indigenous knowledge of traversing long distances by relying on a hidden network of natural springs and traditional dug wells.
Statement II: The routes taken by pastoralists purposefully avoided all water sources to prevent taxing the local village resources.
Which of the following is correct?
Explanation
Pastoralists knew a hidden network of springs and wells that let them cross long distances, so Statement I is true. They relied on water sources rather than avoiding them, so Statement II is false.
Q95. Based on the principle of local adaptation, arrange the following traditional water structures according to their typical depth of storing water, from shallowest (surface level) to deepest (deep subsurface).
I. Stepwell (Baori)
II. Village Pond (Nadi)
III. Underground Cistern (Tanka)
I. Stepwell (Baori)
II. Village Pond (Nadi)
III. Underground Cistern (Tanka)
Explanation
A village pond (Nadi) holds surface water, a Tanka stores water underground and a stepwell goes deepest to the groundwater. From shallowest to deepest the order is II, III, I.
Q96. Identify the correct statement regarding the modern legislative and administrative conservation of Rajasthan’s water heritage.
Explanation
The Mukhyamantri Jal Swavlamban Abhiyan (MJSA) combines traditional harvesting with modern water management. The state does not ban desilting of lakes or order Baoris sealed, and modern laws do protect wetlands.
Q97. How can the indigenous Khadin system be optimally reintegrated into modern agricultural practices in western Rajasthan to address current water crises?
Explanation
Khadins can be revived by using topographic mapping to build new ones in micro-watersheds. Replacing them with canals or lining them with plastic would defeat the purpose.
Q98. Consider the following modern threats to Rajasthan’s traditional water heritage.
I. Encroachment upon catchment areas (Agor/Oran) by real estate development.
II. Dumping of untreated industrial effluents and municipal solid waste into stepwells and lakes.
III. Abandonment of community maintenance practices (Shramdaan) due to the advent of piped water supply.
IV. Over-extraction of groundwater via deep borewells, severing the capillary connection to surface bodies.
V. Strict enforcement of environmental laws preventing any human interaction with water.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. Encroachment upon catchment areas (Agor/Oran) by real estate development.
II. Dumping of untreated industrial effluents and municipal solid waste into stepwells and lakes.
III. Abandonment of community maintenance practices (Shramdaan) due to the advent of piped water supply.
IV. Over-extraction of groundwater via deep borewells, severing the capillary connection to surface bodies.
V. Strict enforcement of environmental laws preventing any human interaction with water.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Catchment encroachment, dumping of waste in stepwells and lakes, the end of Shramdaan with piped supply and over-extraction by borewells all threaten water heritage. Strict laws preventing any human use are not a threat, so V is wrong.
Q99. Read the following statements regarding the Indira Gandhi Canal Project (IGNP).
Statement I: The advent of the IGNP brought immense agricultural prosperity to the arid districts of western Rajasthan.
Statement II: The continuous supply of canal water caused a total abandonment of traditional systems like Tankas and Kuins in many areas, leading to waterlogging and soil salinity issues due to over-irrigation.
Which of the following is correct?
Statement I: The advent of the IGNP brought immense agricultural prosperity to the arid districts of western Rajasthan.
Statement II: The continuous supply of canal water caused a total abandonment of traditional systems like Tankas and Kuins in many areas, leading to waterlogging and soil salinity issues due to over-irrigation.
Which of the following is correct?
Explanation
The Indira Gandhi Canal brought farming prosperity to the arid west, so Statement I is true. The constant canal water also led many to drop Tankas and Kuins, and over-irrigation caused waterlogging and salinity, so Statement II is true.
Q100. Match the modern conservation challenge in List I with its corresponding sustainable mitigation strategy in List II.
| Conservation Challenge | Mitigation Strategy |
|---|---|
| A. Siltation of Nadis | i. Strict legal demarcation and protection of Orans/Gauchars |
| B. Encroachment of Catchments | ii. Community-led regular desilting before monsoons |
| C. Pollution of Baoris | iii. Promoting widespread construction of Johads and percolation tanks |
| D. Groundwater Depletion | iv. Banning solid waste dumping and initiating structural restoration |
Explanation
Siltation of Nadis is solved by community desilting before the monsoon, encroachment of catchments by legal protection of Orans, pollution of Baoris by stopping dumping and restoration, and groundwater depletion by Johads and percolation tanks. This gives A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 91 | (a) Sub-surface moisture trapped above rock layers, accessed via Kuins. |
| 92 | (c) Bisleri Pani |
| 93 | (b) I, II, and IV only |
| 94 | (c) Statement I is true but Statement II is false. |
| 95 | (a) II, III, I |
| 96 | (a) MJSA focuses on integrating traditional harvesting with management. |
| 97 | (c) By using topographic mapping to build new Khadins in micro-watersheds. |
| 98 | (a) I, II, III, and IV only |
| 99 | (a) Both Statement I and Statement II are true. |
| 100 | (b) A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii |
Key facts from Water Bodies and Water Heritage
- Chand Baori at Abhaneri in Dausa district is one of the deepest and largest stepwells in India, with about 3,500 steps.
- Chand Baori has steps on three sides and a multi-storied pavilion on the fourth.
- A tube well is not a traditional water harvesting structure; Khadin, Kund and Baori are.
- Jag Niwas and Jag Mandir are island palaces in Lake Pichola, Udaipur.
- Sambhar Lake is a Ramsar site, important for flamingos.
- Ana Sagar in Ajmer was built in the 12th century by Arnoraja, and the Baradari on its embankment by Shah Jahan.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Water Bodies and Water Heritage?
This page has 101 practice MCQs on Water Bodies and Water Heritage (Rajasthan History, Art and Culture). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Where is Chand Baori?
At Abhaneri in Dausa district. It is among the deepest and largest stepwells in India, with about 3,500 narrow steps on three sides and a multi-storied pavilion on the fourth side, and it was built in the Gurjara-Pratihara period.
What is a Kund?
A Kund is a sloped catchment that guides rainwater into a central underground pit. It is a traditional harvesting structure of the arid zone, where rainfall is low and erratic and every drop has to be saved for the dry months.
Which lake in Alwar has a historic hunting lodge?
Siliserh Lake, in Alwar district, built by Maharaja Vinay Singh. It was made to bring water to Alwar for drinking and agriculture, and its scenic setting and old lodge later made it a popular spot for visitors.