When we think of Rajsamand lake, we think of it as a tourist spot. Royal British Airforce (RAF), however, saw a different opportunity in one of the most popular lakes in Mewar. The lake was used as the seaplane base of Imperial Airways during World War II over a period of over six years.

The lake was used as a landing and take-off base of the seaplane of RAF during the second world war. Office of RAF was situated on the 5-km long irrigation paal near Kankroli.

The lake bed still plays host to a heavy iron chain anchor. Interestingly, the iron chain anchor became visible when the lake went dry in 2003 and was a major visitor attraction. Administration had pulled out the anchor for some time. However, the anchor was subsequently dumped back into the lake. It is argued that it could have been worthwhile to have kept the anchor at a suitable place for its visual appeal and historical significance.

Sea plane operations were facilitated in 1937 by construction of a jetty using iron links for four sides. “A flight then landed on the lake from Tighra in Madhya Pradesh in Rajsamand”, said historian Dr Shri Krihna Jugnu.