Public Section Preview
Glossary Terms
| Term (EN) | Definition | Exam Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | A site recognised by UNESCO as having outstanding universal value, inscribed on the World Heritage List under the 1972 World Heritage Convention | Core — Rajasthan has 3 inscribed sites (Keoladeo 1985, Jantar Mantar 2010, Hill Forts 2013) |
| AMASR Act | Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 — the primary legislation governing protection of centrally protected monuments in India | High — defines prohibited zone (100 m) and regulated zone (100–300 m) |
| Prohibited Zone | The 0–100 metre buffer around an ASI-protected monument within which no construction is permitted (AMASR Amendment 2010, Section 20A) | High — Supreme Court Nahargarh case 2017 |
| Regulated Zone | The 100–300 metre band around an ASI monument where construction requires National Monuments Authority (NMA) permission | Medium — AMASR Act 2010 |
| National Monuments Authority | Statutory body established under AMASR Amendment 2010 to regulate development activities in the regulated zones of centrally protected monuments | Medium — institutional knowledge |
| Carrying Capacity | Maximum number of visitors a heritage site can sustain without unacceptable physical, ecological, or cultural degradation | High — Jaisalmer Fort and Amber Fort examples |
| Living Fort | A heritage fort with an active resident population — Jaisalmer is India's best-known living fort with 3,000+ residents inside | High — tourism-conservation tension |
| Haveli | Traditional multi-storeyed urban mansion with central courtyard (chowk), jharokha balconies, and ornate facades — the signature built heritage of Rajasthan's merchant communities | High — Shekhawati havelis; Jaisalmer havelis |
| Jharokha | Overhanging enclosed balcony projecting from the upper floors of a haveli or palace, characteristic of Rajput and Mughal architecture | Medium — architectural terminology |
| Fresco | Mural painting technique using pigments applied on fresh wet plaster — the primary decorative art form of Shekhawati havelis | Medium — Shekhawati context |
| Shekhawati | Region comprising Jhunjhunu, Sikar, and Churu districts — known for 1,000+ painted Marwari merchant havelis; called the "open-air gallery" | High — direct exam topic |
| RTDC | Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation — public sector undertaking established 1979; operates hotels, Palace on Wheels, and tourism promotion | High — institutional knowledge |
| Palace on Wheels | India's premier luxury heritage train operated jointly by RTDC and Indian Railways (NWR); launched 1982, covers 8 heritage destinations in 8 nights | High — direct PYQ likely |
| Adopt a Heritage | Central government scheme (now Adopt a Heritage 2.0, 2023) under which companies maintain monuments through CSR in exchange for co-branding rights | Medium — policy; Dalmia Bharat-Amber Fort example |
| Jantar Mantar | Astronomical observatory built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II (1724–1735 CE) in Jaipur; UNESCO inscribed 2010 under criteria (i) and (iv); houses the Samrat Yantra (world's largest sundial) | High — UNESCO criteria facts |
| Keoladeo Ghana | National park in Bharatpur; UNESCO natural heritage 1985; Ramsar wetland 1981; 370+ bird species including migratory Siberian cranes | High — natural UNESCO site |
| Amber Fort | UNESCO Hill Fort (2013) in Jaipur; built by Man Singh I (1592 CE) and expanded by Jai Singh I; most visited ASI monument in Rajasthan (19 lakh visitors 2023-24) | High — visitor data; UNESCO context |
| Chittorgarh Fort | Largest fort in India (700 acres); UNESCO Hill Fort 2013; site of three historic Jauhars; symbol of Rajput resistance | High — size, Jauhar, Mewar dynasty |
| Kumbhalgarh | UNESCO Hill Fort (2013) in Rajsamand district; 36-km wall — second longest continuous wall in the world after Great Wall of China; birthplace of Maharana Pratap | High — wall length fact; Pratap birthplace |
| Gagron Fort | UNESCO Hill Fort (2013) in Jhalawar; sole water fort — situated at confluence of Ahu and Kali Sindh rivers with no land wall; site of two historic Jauhars | High — water fort identification |
| planning | ||
| Homestay Policy 2026 | Rajasthan government notification (February 27, 2026) raising homestay room limit from 5 to 8 and removing mandatory owner-residence clause | Medium — current affairs 2026 |
| Rajasthan Tourism Policy 2020 | State tourism policy released in 2020 providing framework for heritage hotel promotion, adventure tourism, eco-tourism, and tourism-linked employment | Medium — policy document |
| Sulh-i-Kul | Principle of "universal peace" or absolute peace advocated by Mughal Emperor Akbar and Chishti Sufi tradition — relevant to Ajmer as a syncretic heritage site | Medium — heritage-culture overlap |