Q31. Siliserh Lake, renowned for its scenic beauty and historical hunting lodge, is located in which district of Rajasthan?
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 31–40 of 101 questions
Q32. Identify the incorrect statement regarding Ana Sagar Lake.
Explanation
Ana Sagar gives water to Ajmer, was beautified by Mughal emperors and can dry up in severe drought. It was made by damming a local stream and not the Luni river, so D is incorrect.
Q33. Arrange the following historical lakes of Rajasthan in chronological order of their original construction, from oldest to most recent.
I. Ana Sagar Lake
II. Rajsamand Lake
III. Fateh Sagar Lake
I. Ana Sagar Lake
II. Rajsamand Lake
III. Fateh Sagar Lake
Explanation
Ana Sagar was built in the 12th century, Rajsamand in the 17th century and Fateh Sagar after it. The order is I, II, III.
Q34. The elegant marble pavilions known as ‘Baradari’ situated on the embankment of Ana Sagar Lake were constructed by which Mughal Emperor?
Explanation
The Baradari at Ana Sagar Lake consists of five beautiful marble pavilions and a parapet wall situated on the embankment. These elegant structures were commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the seventeenth century. They represent the high level of architectural refinement achieved during his reign and add a unique aesthetic value to the historical water body in the city of Ajmer.
Q35. Which of the following best describes the primary historical purpose for the construction of Siliserh Lake by Maharaja Vinay Singh in 1845?
Explanation
Maharaja Vinay Singh commissioned the construction of Siliserh Lake in 1845 with a primary focus on public utility. The project was designed to capture monsoon runoff from the Aravalli hills and channel it toward the city of Alwar. This ensured a reliable supply of water for drinking purposes and supported local agriculture, demonstrating the ruler’s commitment to the welfare of his subjects.
Q36. Consider the following statements regarding Ana Sagar and Siliserh lakes.
I. Ana Sagar is located in Ajmer, while Siliserh is located in Alwar.
II. Both lakes are natural freshwater bodies that required no damming or human engineering.
III. Ana Sagar features Mughal architectural additions like Daulat Bagh.
IV. Siliserh Lake has an adjacent palace that now operates as a heritage hotel.
V. Both lakes rely heavily on the monsoon runoff from the surrounding Aravalli hills.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. Ana Sagar is located in Ajmer, while Siliserh is located in Alwar.
II. Both lakes are natural freshwater bodies that required no damming or human engineering.
III. Ana Sagar features Mughal architectural additions like Daulat Bagh.
IV. Siliserh Lake has an adjacent palace that now operates as a heritage hotel.
V. Both lakes rely heavily on the monsoon runoff from the surrounding Aravalli hills.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Ana Sagar and Siliserh are both artificial lakes requiring significant human engineering to dam seasonal flows. Ana Sagar is located in Ajmer and features Mughal additions like Daulat Bagh. Siliserh is in Alwar and is home to a palace that is now a heritage hotel. Both depend on the Aravalli hills for their catchment and are vital components of their respective regional landscapes.
Q37. In the context of Rajasthan’s traditional water heritage, what is a ‘Kund’?
Explanation
A Kund is a traditional rainwater harvesting structure designed to provide clean drinking water. It consists of a saucer-shaped, artificially prepared catchment area that slopes toward a central underground storage tank. This design ensures that even minimal rainfall is collected efficiently. The structure is usually covered to prevent evaporation and keep the water protected from contamination by sand and debris.
Q38. Which of the following pairs concerning the components of a traditional Kund is incorrect?
Explanation
Traditional Kunds have specific structural components with dedicated functions. The Agor is the prepared catchment area, and the Suta is the central pit for storage. A Jaali is used to filter out debris at the entrance. The term Paytan actually refers to the catchment area itself, rather than a spillway. Proper understanding of these terms is essential for the maintenance of these systems.
Q39. Read the following statements regarding Kunds.
Statement I: Kunds were traditionally constructed to store rainwater strictly for drinking purposes, especially in regions with highly saline groundwater.
Statement II: The water collected in a Kund is considered pure as the catchment area is kept scrupulously clean and is off-limits to livestock.
Which of the following is correct?
Statement I: Kunds were traditionally constructed to store rainwater strictly for drinking purposes, especially in regions with highly saline groundwater.
Statement II: The water collected in a Kund is considered pure as the catchment area is kept scrupulously clean and is off-limits to livestock.
Which of the following is correct?
Explanation
Kunds were specifically designed to provide high-quality drinking water in areas where groundwater is often saline. To maintain this purity, the catchment area is kept extremely clean and protected from any activity that could cause contamination. The local communities strictly prevent livestock from entering the Agor, ensuring that the collected rainwater remains safe for human consumption throughout the long dry seasons.
Q40. Match the traditional water structures in List I with their predominant structural characteristics in List II.
| Structure | Structural Characteristics |
|---|---|
| A. Kund | i. Subterranean stepwell with architectural flights of stairs |
| B. Baori | ii. Saucer-shaped artificially treated catchment leading to a pit |
| C. Khadin | iii. Earthen check dam for surface storage and groundwater recharge |
| D. Johad | iv. Long earthen embankment built across the lower hill slopes to farm runoff water |
Explanation
Rajasthan’s traditional water structures are defined by their unique engineering features. A Kund uses a saucer-shaped catchment leading to a pit, while a Baori is a subterranean stepwell with stairs. A Khadin is an earthen embankment built across slopes for runoff farming, and a Johad is a small check dam used for surface storage and facilitating groundwater recharge in local aquifers.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 31 | (c) Alwar |
| 32 | (d) It was constructed by damming the River Luni. |
| 33 | (a) I, II, III |
| 34 | (b) Shah Jahan |
| 35 | (b) To channel water to Alwar for drinking and agricultural needs. |
| 36 | (a) I, III, IV, and V only |
| 37 | (c) A sloped catchment harvesting rainwater into a central underground pit. |
| 38 | (a) Paytan -- The spillway for excess floodwater to exit safely |
| 39 | (a) Both Statement I and Statement II are true. |
| 40 | (d) 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.