Rajasthan, situated at the northwestern part of India is the biggest state in the country of India and lies between 23°30′ and 30° 11′ North latitude and 69° 29′ and 78° 17′ East longitude. The state shares its north-western and western boundary with the Indo-Pakistan international border that extends about 1,070 km and touches the major districts Barmer, Bikaner, Sriganganagar, Anupgarh and Jaisalmer.
It is bounded on the west and northwest by Pakistan, on the north and northeast by Haryana &Uttar Pradesh, on the south-southeast and southwest by Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat States respectively. The huge portion of the state of Rajasthan is desiccated and houses the biggest Indian desert- the Thar desert known as the ‘Maru-kantar’.
The oldest chain of fold mountains- the Aravali range splits the state into two geographical zones- desert at one side and forest belt on the other. Only 10% of the total geographical region lies under forest vegetation. The Mount abu is the only hill station of the state and houses the Guru Shikhar Peak that is the highest peak of the Aravali range with an elevation of 1,722 m. The area to the east of the hills is covered by the eastern plains and the Vindhyan plateau.
Read more: History of Rajasthan Complete Study Notes with Practice MCQs Pdf
Geography of Rajasthan
History of Rajasthan
Polity and Administration of Rajasthan
Art and Culture of Rajasthan
Lakes in Rajasthan
In Rajasthan, Lakes are divided into two categories
- Saltwater Lake and
- Fresh (Sweet) Water Lake
Salt Water Lakes
Sambhar Lake
- It is India’s largest inland Salt Water Lake.
- It has been designated as a Ramsar site because this wetland is a favourite spot for migratory birds like Pink Flamingo.
- The total area of the lake is 150 sq. km.
- The lake receives water from five rivers Merta, Samand, Mantha, Roopangarh and khandel.
Read more: Polity & Administration of Rajasthan Complete Study Notes with Practice MCQs Pdf
Didwana Lake
- It is a natural lake, is located at Nagaur district of Rajasthan.
- It is 2km broad and 4km long.
- The Production of salt produced is non-edible grade because of high fluoride.
Pachpadra Lake
- It is located in Barmer district.
- This is also a Natural Lake, is a salt lake near Pachpadra in Barmer, Rajasthan.
- Its sodium chloride level is marked at Approx 98%.
- The total area of this Lake is 25 Sq. km.
Lunkaransar Lake
- It is located in Lunkaransar, 80 km away from Bikaner.
- It is also Natural and a salt water lake.
- Some other famous Salt Water Lakes are Phalodi, Kuchaman, Kovaad, Kachhor, Rewasa, etc.
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2. Fresh (Sweet) Water Lake
- Due to the scarcity of water in Rajasthan, this freshwater lakes act as boons for people of Rajasthan. Rajasthan Lake RPSC RAS
Important Fresh Water Lakes of Rajasthan
Jaisamand Lake
- It was constructed by Maharana Jaising by building the dam on Gomati River from 1685 to 1691.
- It is located 51 km southeast of Udaipur.
- It is also called Dhebar Lake.
- It is the biggest natural lake of Rajasthan.
Rajsamand Lake
It was constructed by Maharana Rajsingh in 1662.
On the bank of this, lakes many inscriptions are there which tells about the history of Mewar.
Read more: Art & Culture of Rajasthan Complete Study Notes with Practice MCQs Pdf
Pichhola Lake
- Lake Pichhola, an artificial fresh water lake, situated on the heart of the Udaipur city in Rajasthan.
- It was built in 1362 AD by a Banjara and & named after the nearby Picholi village.
- There are four islands on the lake: Jag Niwas, where the Lake Palace is built, Jag Mandir, with the palace of the same name, Mohan Mandir and Arsi Vilas.
- The Pichhola Lake and the Swaroop Sagar Lake are connected by an arched bridge built by Maharana Swaroop Singh during 1842-1861.
- One has Jag Mandir (Temple) and second has Jag Nivas named palaces.
Fateh Sagar Lake
This is an artificial lake was initially built by Maharana Jai Singh in north-west of Udaipur in the year 1678 but it was reconstructed by Maharana Fateh Singh in 1888.
It was inaugurated by the Duke of Connaught and was initially called Connaught Bundh.
There are Udaipur Solar Observatory, impressive water-jet fountain and Nehru Park – Popular picnic spot.
Anasagar Lake
It is an artificial lake situated in the city of Ajmer.
It was built by Arnoraja alias Anaji, the grandfather of Prithviraj Chauhan, in 1135 -1150 AD and is named after him.
The five Baradari or pavilions, between the garden and the lake, were built by Shahjahan in 1637. On its bank, there’s a garden called “Daulat Baug by Jehangir.
Pushkar Lake
- It is located in Ajmer district surrounded by mountains.
- This is also known as Pushkar Sarovar, is located in Pushkar.
- Pushkar Lake is a sacred lake of the Hindus. The Hindu scriptures describe it as “Tirtha-Raj” – the king of Pilgrimage sites related to a water-body and relate it to the mythology of the creator-god Brahma, whose most prominent temple stands in Pushkar.
- The Pushkar Lake finds mention on coins as early as the 4th century BC.
Siliserh Lake
- It is located in Alwar district in between Aravalli Range.
Some other famous lakes are Navlakkha Lake (Bundi), Kolayat Lake (Bikaner), Shaiva Sagar (Dungarpur), Galati and Ramgarh (Jaipur), Balsamand Lake (Jodhpur), Kailana Lake (Jodhpur), etc. Rajasthan Lake RPSC RAS
Geography of Rajasthan Complete Study Notes with Practice MCQs Pdf
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