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 81–90 of 101 questions
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Water Bodies and Water Heritage
Q81. Consider the following statements concerning the role of Rajput rulers in water management. I. Rulers utilized water infrastructure as a tool for public welfare and stabilizing the rural economy during severe droughts. II. Royal edicts often protected the catchments (Orans) of these water bodies from deforestation. III. The architecture of royal lakes frequently included beautifully carved marble embankments (Paal) and pavilions (Baradaris). IV. Inscriptions (Prashastis) detailing the history and genealogy of the rulers were commonly placed on the embankments. V. They strictly forbade any community participation or private charity in water management. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Rulers used water works for public welfare in droughts, protected catchments (Orans), built carved marble embankments and pavilions and placed Prashasti inscriptions on them. They did not forbid community or private charity, so V is wrong.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Water Bodies and Water Heritage
Q82. In traditional rural Rajasthan, what is an ‘Oran’ or ‘Gauchar’?
Explanation
An Oran or Gauchar is a community-protected grove or pasture that acts as an important water catchment, as the trees and grass hold the rainwater and feed the ponds below.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Water Bodies and Water Heritage
Q83. Which of the following sequences represents the correct ascending institutional hierarchy in modern rural water management and governance under the Panchayati Raj system in Rajasthan?
Explanation
In ascending order the Panchayati Raj bodies are the Ward Sabha, Gram Sabha, Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Water Bodies and Water Heritage
Q84. Identify the incorrect statement regarding the role of the Gram Sabha in local water management.
Explanation
A Gram Sabha plans and audits local works, can set norms and penalties for pond hygiene and helps choose beneficiaries. It cannot issue international treaties on river water, so C is incorrect.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Water Bodies and Water Heritage
Q85. Consider the following statements reflecting traditional community penalties and norms for protecting water bodies. I. Felling green trees in an Oran (sacred catchment) was strictly prohibited and socially penalized. II. Bathing with soap or allowing livestock to enter designated drinking water ponds was barred by local consensus. III. Communities routinely appointed armed state military guards to enforce water rules. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Cutting green trees in an Oran was prohibited and socially penalised, and bathing with soap or letting animals enter drinking ponds was barred by community agreement. Communities did not employ armed state guards, so III is wrong.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Water Bodies and Water Heritage
Q86. Match the community terms related to water management in List I with their appropriate descriptions in List II.
Community Term
Description
A. Oran
i. Voluntary physical labor contributed by the community
B. Shramdaan
ii. Sacred grove protecting the catchment biodiversity
C. Kuin
iii. The prepared catchment area sloping towards a storage pit
D. Agor
iv. A narrow, deep well dug to harvest subsurface seepage
Explanation
An Oran is a sacred grove protecting the catchment, Shramdaan is voluntary community labour, a Kuin is a narrow deep well that taps subsurface seepage and an Agor is the prepared catchment. This gives A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Water Bodies and Water Heritage
Q87. If a dispute arises between two neighboring farmers over the flow of runoff water into their respective Khadins, what is the most traditionally appropriate and effective mechanism for resolution?
Explanation
Disputes over runoff between neighbouring farmers were traditionally settled by village elders on the basis of customary water rights. It is quick, local and accepted by the community.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Water Bodies and Water Heritage
Q88. What is arguably the greatest advantage of a community-led (Gram Sabha) approach to water management over a top-down bureaucratic approach?
Explanation
A community-led approach uses traditional knowledge and gives people shared ownership of the water source, which is its main advantage over a top-down method.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Water Bodies and Water Heritage
Q89. The following question consists of two statements, one labeled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R). Assertion (A): Indigenous water harvesting systems in Rajasthan have demonstrated remarkable resilience and sustainability over centuries. Reason (R): These systems were scientifically adapted to specific local topographical, climatic, and geological conditions using locally available natural materials. Which of the following is correct?
Explanation
Rajasthan’s traditional water systems have lasted for centuries because they were suited to the local terrain, climate and geology and were made with local materials. The reason explains the assertion.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Water Bodies and Water Heritage
Q90. Which of the following pairs concerning the traditional classification of water in Rajasthan is incorrect?
Explanation
Palar Pani is direct rainwater, the purest form, and Patal Pani is deep groundwater. Rejani Pani is sub-surface water trapped above the deep saline layer, not saline stagnant surface water, so C is the incorrect pair.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
81
(a) I, II, III, and IV only
82
(b) A community-protected grove acting as a vital water catchment.
(c) It issues binding international treaties for sharing river water.
85
(a) I and II only
86
(b) A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii
87
(d) Mediation by village elders based on customary water rights.
88
(a) It uses traditional knowledge and ensures collective ownership.
89
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
90
(c) Rejani Pani -- Highly saline, stagnant surface water unfit for consumption
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.
