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RAS question

Barkhans are a type of:

Correct answer: (C) Sand dune.

Barkhans are crescent-shaped sand dunes, including those found in Rajasthan's Thar Desert in Jaisalmer and Barmer districts.

  1. (A)

    Lake

  2. (B)

    Rock formation

  3. (C)

    Sand dune

  4. (D)

    Soil type

Explanation

Barkhans, also spelt barchans, are sand dunes with a crescent shape. Britannica identifies a barchan as a crescent-shaped sand dune formed by wind blowing mainly from one direction, with the crescent's horns pointing downwind. That directly matches the RAS explanation: in Rajasthan, barkhans occur in the Thar Desert, especially around Jaisalmer and Barmer. The key is to recognise the landform category, not just the shape. A barkhan is not a water body, a rock structure, or a soil classification; it is a wind-shaped accumulation of sand, making "sand dune" the only precise option.

Why the other options are wrong

  • (A) A lake is a water body, while a barkhan is described as a crescent-shaped dune made of sand.
  • (B) A rock formation is built from rock, whereas a barkhan is a wind-shaped sand dune.
  • (D) A soil type classifies ground material, but a barkhan is a desert landform formed as a dune.

Concept

This tests Rajasthan's desert geomorphology, especially the recognition of aeolian landforms in the Thar Desert. It recurs in RAS because Jaisalmer-Barmer desert features are a standard part of Rajasthan physical geography.

Source

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