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RAS question

Which is the only 'living fort' (with a residential population inside) among Rajasthan's UNESCO World Heritage forts?

Correct answer: (A) Jaisalmer Fort.

Jaisalmer Fort is the only living fort among Rajasthan's UNESCO-listed hill forts, with a residential population still living inside its walls.

  1. (A)

    Jaisalmer Fort

  2. (B)

    Gagron Fort

  3. (C)

    Amber Fort

  4. (D)

    Ranthambore Fort

Explanation

Jaisalmer Fort, also called Sonar Quila or the Golden Fort, is unusual because it is not merely a protected monument but still has people living inside it. It is the only living fort among the six UNESCO-listed hill forts of Rajasthan, and about one-quarter of the old city's population still lives within the fort. Rajasthan Tourism directly supports the residential fact by saying Jaisalmer Fort is still home to about 3,000 people within its walls, with narrow winding lanes lined by houses and temples. That continuing habitation separates Jaisalmer from the other UNESCO fort options.

Why the other options are wrong

  • (B) Gagron Fort belongs to Rajasthan's UNESCO hill-fort group, but it does not have the residential population inside the fort that makes Jaisalmer Fort Rajasthan's living fort.
  • (C) Amber Fort is a major Rajasthan fort, but only Jaisalmer Fort among the UNESCO hill-fort options still has residents within its walls.
  • (D) Ranthambore Fort lacks the inhabited fort interior that defines Rajasthan's living fort; Jaisalmer Fort, not Ranthambore, has that status.

Concept

The Hill Forts of Rajasthan fall under art, architecture and UNESCO heritage. RAS often tests factual heritage tags through one distinguishing feature rather than through a direct list.

Source

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