RAS question
Rajsamand Lake was built by which ruler?
Correct answer: (D) Maharana Raj Singh.
Rajsamand Lake was built by Maharana Raj Singh I of Mewar.
Explanation
Rajsamand Lake is associated with Maharana Raj Singh I, not with the better-known military rulers listed in the distractors. The lake's construction is dated to 1660 AD on the Gomti River, and the Raj Prashasti inscription is located on its banks. Rajasthan Tourism calls it Rajsamudra Lake as well and describes it as the result of a dam built by Maharana Raj Singh I across the Gomati, Kelwa and Tali rivers. It places the lake 66 km north of Udaipur, between Rajnagar and Kankroli. The date 1660 AD is associated with the lake's construction, while Rajasthan Tourism gives 1662–1676 AD as the construction period of the dam. Therefore, Maharana Raj Singh I in option D is the correct answer.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Maharana Pratap is known as a warrior ruler, but he is not credited with building Rajsamand Lake.
- (B) Maharana Jai Singh is associated with the construction of Jaisamand Lake, not Rajsamand Lake.
- (C) Maharana Kumbha is associated with the construction of forts, not Rajsamand Lake.
Concept
This question tests an understanding of Rajasthan geography by linking lakes and water structures with their builders. In RAS, major lakes may be asked along with their builder, river and location. Rajsamand, Jaisamand and Udaisagar can be confused within the same set of options. Such pairings connect physical geography with the history of medieval Rajasthan.