Question Discussion & Solution

Explanation:

Patod:

• On the outskirts of the pink city of Jaipur, one often comes across these stone slab houses.
• These homes known as Patod are entirely made using slabs of the pink sandstone known as Jodpuri patti.
• The basic framework remains the same throughout, the infill to cover this frame can be made using any natural building technique suitable to the region.
• These natural buildings could be an excellent solution for disaster management and emergency housing due to their ease and speed of construction.
• These are also cost-effective.
• These unique sensibilities in design and construction can only be found in the deepest hearts of our villages.

Thus, Patod houses found in Rajasthan are made up of pink sandstone.

Construction:

• The stone slabs to be used are cut and shaped beforehand and brought to the site to be assembled.
• The columns go 2’ below the ground and are erected perfectly vertical and packed well in the ground.
• The grooves on the top of the column are meant to accommodate the rafters.
• The stone slabs for the roofing are laid on top of the rafters overlapping each other.
•  These are also adjusted by placing a few small stones between the gaps of the rafters and the roofing slabs to give a better hold.
• These roofs, being monolith stone slabs do not require a steep 45° slope saving on the usage of more materials.
• There may be a few small gaps in between these roofing slabs.
• To prevent leakages, the joints between the two slabs are sealed with lime ‘bagra’.
• Sometimes these slabs are covered with a thatch of kuncha reeds (saccharum munja) 

The correct answer is Climatic factors.

• The paucity of forests in Rajasthan:
  • It is due to the climatic factors that the state has got the paucity of forests.
  • As 2/3^rd Rajasthan comprises of Thar Desert and is also situated in the air subsidence zone which restricts the amount of rainfall.
  • Thus leading to creation of less tree and less green landscape.

The correct answer is Bhainsrorgarh fort.

Key Points

• Bhainsrorgarh Fort or Bhainsror Fort is an ancient fort that is called Vellore of Rajasthan.
• Bhainsrorgarh is an impregnable fort, inhabited from at least the 2nd century BC.
• It is situated on the banks of the pristine Chambal and Brahmani rivers.
• It had passed through the hands of several clans before becoming the seat of a premier noble of Mewar, the large region around Udaipur and Princely State of the Sisodia clan.
• It contains five tanks, temples to Devi Bhim Chauri, Shiva, and Ganesh, and a palace that is for rent.

Additional Information

• Bhainsrorgarh held great importance to the Chundawat clan of Sisodia Rajputs, as it was granted to Rao Chunda after he renounced the Mewar throne for his yet to be born younger brother.
• As the eldest son of Rana Lakha, then ruler of Mewar, Chunda Ji was the heir apparent to the throne of Chittor.
• The Chief of Bhainsrorgarh was counted among the 16 first-class nobles of Mewar and was conferred the title of Rawat by Maharana of Mewar. 

The correct answer is Typical orientation of the Aravalli range

Key Points

• The typical orientation of the Aravalli Range is the root cause of scant rain in Rajasthan.
• Rajasthan receives scanty rainfall.
• The two main reasons are:
  • The Bay of Bengal branch of the Indian monsoon loses its moisture by the time it reaches the north-western part of India where Rajasthan is located.
  • And the Arabian sea branch of the monsoon flows parallel to the Aravalli Mountains and reach the northern part of India but does not shed moisture over Rajasthan.

Additional Information

• About Rajasthan:
  • Established: 30 March 1949
  • Districts: 33
  • Area: 3,42,239 Sq. Km.
  • Located between 23 30’ and 30 11’ North latitude and 69 29’ and 78 17’ East longitude.
  • It shares an international border with Pakistan and a national boundary with 5 states of India including Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.

The correct answer is Dholpur.

Key Points

• Maximum Bihad land is found in Dholpur.
• In Rajasthan, Bihad is mostly found nearby Chambal.
• Rajasthan and M.P are the extended regions of the Chambal Bihad.
• Bihad is an irregular land.

Additional Information

• Rajasthan
  • Legislature- Unicameral (200 seats)
  • Parliamentary constituency
    • Lok Sabha - 25 seats
    • Rajya Sabha -10 seats