Damdama Lake, a popular weekend getaway and bird-watching spot near Gurgaon (Gurugram), is located in which Indian state?

Introduction / Context:
This question concerns basic Indian geography and tourism. Damdama Lake is a well known reservoir and picnic spot in North India, often visited by people from Delhi and nearby areas for boating, leisure and bird watching. The question checks whether you can correctly identify the state in which this lake is situated, which is a typical general awareness topic for competitive exams.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The geographical feature is Damdama Lake.
• It is near Gurgaon (now Gurugram), a major city close to India's capital region.
• The options list the neighbouring states: Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
• The question asks which state actually contains this lake.

Concept / Approach:
Gurgaon (Gurugram) is located in the state of Haryana, bordering the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Damdama Lake lies in the Sohna region, which is part of Haryana's Gurugram district. Although Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh are also nearby states in North India, the specific location of the lake falls within Haryana. Recognising this requires knowing the modern state boundaries around Delhi and distinguishing Haryana from the adjoining states.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify Gurgaon (Gurugram) as a city in the state of Haryana, just southwest of Delhi. Step 2: Recall that Damdama Lake is frequently described as a weekend spot near Gurgaon, especially in travel guides for Delhi NCR. Step 3: Since Gurugram is in Haryana, a nearby lake in the same district logically lies within Haryana's boundaries. Step 4: Compare this with other options: Punjab and Rajasthan are further away to the northwest and west; Uttar Pradesh lies east of Delhi. Step 5: Conclude that Damdama Lake is located in Haryana.

Verification / Alternative check:
Maps and tourist information sources identify Damdama Lake as situated near Sohna in the Gurugram district of Haryana. It is often included in lists of attractions within Haryana tourism, not in those of Punjab, Rajasthan or Uttar Pradesh. Directions to the lake from Delhi usually specify routes entering Haryana via Gurgaon, reinforcing that the site lies inside that state's territory.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Punjab: Although a northern neighbour of Haryana, Punjab does not contain Gurgaon or Damdama Lake.
Rajasthan: Lies to the west and southwest of Delhi and Haryana, and is famous for desert landscapes and other lakes, but not for Damdama Lake.
Uttar Pradesh: Borders Delhi on the east and contains cities like Noida and Ghaziabad, but Damdama Lake is not situated there.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates sometimes think of any area around Delhi as part of Uttar Pradesh, or they confuse Gurgaon's location because of its closeness to Delhi. Others may guess Rajasthan because they associate lakes and tourism in North India with that state. To avoid such errors, remember that Gurgaon (Gurugram), Faridabad and several other major suburbs south and west of Delhi are in Haryana, and Damdama Lake is one of Haryana's local attractions.

Final Answer:
Damdama Lake is located in the state of Haryana.