RAS question
The Jaisamand Lake (Dhebar Lake) in Rajasthan is:
Correct answer: (C) Second largest artificial lake in Asia.
Jaisamand Lake, also known as Dhebar Lake, is regarded as the second largest artificial lake in Asia.
Explanation
Jaisamand Lake is the second largest artificial lake in Asia, which is why option C fits the question. Rajasthan Tourism identifies it as Jaisamand Lake, also known as Dhebar, and places it about 48 kilometres from Udaipur. Its artificial character matters here: the lake was built in 1685 by Maharana Jai Singh while a dam was being constructed on the Gomti River. Rajasthan Tourism also notes that it was once Asia's largest artificial lake before the Aswan Dam in Egypt was constructed. The lake's profile is reinforced by its seven islands, one of which is still inhabited by the Bhil Minas.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Jaisamand is not the smallest lake in India; Rajasthan Tourism describes it as one of Asia's largest artificial lakes.
- (B) It is not Rajasthan's largest natural lake because its defining feature here is that Maharana Jai Singh built it during dam construction on the Gomti River.
- (D) The Ramsar-site option does not follow from Jaisamand's Rajasthan Tourism profile, which identifies it by its artificial-lake status instead.
Concept
This tests the Rajasthan Geography theme of major lakes and their classification as natural or artificial. Such facts recur in RAS because lakes are often linked with location, origin, builder and conservation status.