Q71. Which of the following pairs regarding the construction of a Tanka is incorrect?
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 71–80 of 101 questions
Q72. The following question consists of two statements, one labeled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): Tankas are crucial for ensuring year-round drinking water security for scattered settlements (Dhanis) in western Rajasthan.
Reason (R): Their underground, covered design drastically reduces evaporative losses and protects the stored rainwater from contamination by sandstorms.
Which of the following is correct?
Assertion (A): Tankas are crucial for ensuring year-round drinking water security for scattered settlements (Dhanis) in western Rajasthan.
Reason (R): Their underground, covered design drastically reduces evaporative losses and protects the stored rainwater from contamination by sandstorms.
Which of the following is correct?
Explanation
Tankas give year-round drinking water to scattered settlements called Dhanis. They do so because the covered underground design cuts evaporation and protects the water from sand and dust, so R explains A.
Q73. If a modern urban household in Jodhpur wishes to adapt the traditional Tanka principle, what is the most scientifically sound application?
Explanation
The Tanka is a covered underground tank for rainwater. A modern household can copy it by channelling clean rooftop rainwater into a sealed underground tank.
Q74. Consider the following features that describe an ideal traditional Tanka.
I. Sited on locally elevated ground to ensure a clean, isolated catchment.
II. Includes a domed or flat covered roof with small access doors.
III. Designed for large-scale agricultural irrigation.
IV. Inner surface heavily plastered to make it fully watertight.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. Sited on locally elevated ground to ensure a clean, isolated catchment.
II. Includes a domed or flat covered roof with small access doors.
III. Designed for large-scale agricultural irrigation.
IV. Inner surface heavily plastered to make it fully watertight.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
A good Tanka stands on raised ground for a clean catchment, has a covered roof with small access doors and is heavily plastered to be watertight. It holds drinking water and is not meant for large-scale irrigation, so III is wrong.
Q75. Rajsamand Lake, renowned for the Nau Chowki Paal and the Raj Prashasti inscriptions, was constructed by which prominent ruler?
Explanation
Rajsamand Lake, with its Nau Chowki Paal and the Raj Prashasti inscriptions, was built by Maharana Raj Singh in the 17th century.
Q76. What was a frequent primary motivation for Rajput rulers to commission massive water infrastructure projects like large lakes and dams during the medieval period?
Explanation
Rajput rulers often built large lakes and dams to provide drought relief, giving people work and wages while creating a lasting water source.
Q77. Identify the correct statement regarding Balsamand Lake.
Explanation
Balsamand Lake near Jodhpur is an artificial lake built by the Pratihara rulers. It is not a natural salt lake or a British summer palace.
Q78. Match the royal patrons in List I with the waterbodies they commissioned or significantly expanded in List II.
| Royal Patron | Waterbody |
|---|---|
| A. Maharana Raj Singh | i. Siliserh Lake |
| B. Arnoraja | ii. Ana Sagar |
| C. Maharaja Jai Singh II | iii. Jai Samand (Dhebar Lake) |
| D. Maharaja Vinay Singh | iv. Rajsamand Lake |
Explanation
Maharana Raj Singh built Rajsamand, Arnoraja built Ana Sagar, Jai Singh is credited with Jai Samand (Dhebar Lake) and Maharaja Vinay Singh built Siliserh. This gives A-iv, B-ii, C-iii, D-i.
Q79. What cause-and-effect dynamic made royal patronage essential for the construction of monumental stepwells (Baoris) and artificial lakes?
Explanation
Monumental stepwells and artificial lakes needed large capital and complex engineering that local communities could not supply, so royal patronage was essential.
Q80. Read the following statements regarding the integration of religious sites and water bodies in Rajasthan.
Statement I: Rulers in Rajasthan frequently integrated prominent religious temples and ghats with the construction of major water bodies.
Statement II: This integration served only to restrict access to the water, ensuring it was strictly used by the priesthood and denied to the general public.
Which of the following is correct?
Statement I: Rulers in Rajasthan frequently integrated prominent religious temples and ghats with the construction of major water bodies.
Statement II: This integration served only to restrict access to the water, ensuring it was strictly used by the priesthood and denied to the general public.
Which of the following is correct?
Explanation
Rulers often combined temples and ghats with big water bodies, so Statement I is true. This did not restrict the water to the priesthood, since the public used it too, so Statement II is false.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 71 | (d) Patal -- The underground aquifer from which the Tanka draws its water |
| 72 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 73 | (d) Channeling clean rooftop rainwater into a sealed underground tank. |
| 74 | (c) I, II, and IV only |
| 75 | (c) Maharana Raj Singh |
| 76 | (a) To provide organized drought relief work and wages to the people. |
| 77 | (d) It is an artificial lake built by Pratihara rulers near Jodhpur. |
| 78 | (b) A-iv, B-ii, C-iii, D-i |
| 79 | (c) Massive capital and complex engineering were beyond local means. |
| 80 | (c) Statement I is true but Statement II is false. |
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.