RAS question
The golden fort of Jaisalmer, known as 'Sonar Kila', was founded by which Rajput ruler?
Correct answer: (C) Rawal Jaisal.
Rawal Jaisal founded Jaisalmer and its golden fort, Sonar Kila, in 1156 CE.
Explanation
Rawal Jaisal is the founder to remember because Rajasthan Tourism’s Jaisalmer page places the origin of the city and fort in his act of founding a new capital in 1156. The official page says Jaisalmer traces its inception to the 12th century and describes Rawal Jaisal choosing a new site, constructing a mud fort, naming it Jaisalmer after himself, and declaring it his capital. The fort’s later popular identity as Sonar Qila, or the Golden Fort, comes from its visual setting: it rises from the desert and blends with the golden hues of the sand, while the setting sun deepens that effect.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Rawal Ratan Singh is not the founder in the official Rajasthan Tourism account, which attributes the 1156 foundation to Rawal Jaisal.
- (B) Maharawal Mulraj does not match the foundation account, which names Rawal Jaisal as the ruler who established the fort-capital.
- (D) Rao Bika is not associated with Jaisalmer’s foundation; Rajasthan Tourism points to Rawal Jaisal for Jaisalmer’s foundation.
Concept
This tests the RAS art-and-culture theme of matching Rajasthan’s forts and cities with their founding rulers. It recurs because forts such as Jaisalmer link dynastic history, architecture and place identity in one factual prompt.