RAS question
The Thar Desert is located primarily in:
Correct answer: (D) Western Rajasthan.
The Thar Desert is located primarily in western Rajasthan, where Rajasthan comprises most of the Great Indian Desert.
Explanation
The Thar, also called the Great Indian Desert or Rajasthan Desert, is primarily associated with western Rajasthan. The official Rajasthan geographic profile describes Rajasthan as being on India’s north-western side and comprising most of the wide Thar Desert. The desert’s main Indian location is western Rajasthan. The Thar extends beyond Rajasthan into Gujarat, Haryana and Punjab, but western Rajasthan remains its primary location in India. Rajasthan is the core region, while the neighbouring areas are extensions rather than the main location. In RAS geography, the Thar Desert belongs to Rajasthan’s physiographic identity.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Sindh in Pakistan is part of the wider Thar region, but the desert is not located in Sindh only and its primary Indian location is western Rajasthan.
- (B) Southern Punjab has semi-arid tracts, but it is not the main location of the Thar Desert.
- (C) Gujarat has extensions of the Thar Desert, but the primary location is western Rajasthan.
Concept
Indian physical geography includes the regional location of Rajasthan’s desert physiography. The Thar Desert is central to Rajasthan’s climate, settlement pattern and state identity.