RAS question
A Rajasthan geography note says Imperial Airways used one feature for about six years during the Second World War. Which feature was it?
Correct answer: (A) Rajsamand Lake.
During the Second World War, Rajsamand Lake was used as a seaplane base by Imperial Airways for about six years.
Explanation
Rajsamand (Rajsamudra) Lake was the site of the wartime aviation use by Imperial Airways. The lake is a large water body north of Udaipur, between Rajnagar and Kankroli, formed by a dam across the Gomati, Kelwa and Tali rivers. During World War II, Rajsamand Lake itself was used as a seaplane base by Imperial Airways for about six years. The Gomati, Kelwa and Tali rivers, Nau Chowki Pal, and the Rajprashasti inscription belong to the same lake setting, but they are not the wartime aviation base. Therefore, the Imperial Airways connection belongs to the lake, not the rivers, bank feature, or inscription associated with the complex.
Why the other options are wrong
- (B) The Gomati, Tali and Kelwa are connected with the dam and lake formation, but Imperial Airways used Rajsamand Lake itself as the seaplane base.
- (C) Nau Chowki Pal is a lakeside feature of the Rajsamand setting, but Imperial Airways used the water body rather than this bank feature.
- (D) The Rajprashasti inscription belongs to the Rajsamand lake complex, but it is an inscription, not the water feature used by Imperial Airways.
Concept
RAS historical geography links named physical features with specific historical uses. District geography often blends lakes, inscriptions, rivers and local historical events into one factual cluster.