Physical Features of India
Major Physiographic Divisions
- The Himalayan Mountains
- The Northern Plains
- The Peninsular Plateau
- The Indian Desert
- The Coastal Plains
- The Islands
The Himalayan Mountains
Geologically young and structurally fold Mountains
- Located in the northern borders of India.
- Runs between Indus and Brahmaputra.
- Himalayas represent the loftiest and one of the most rugged mountain barriers in the world.
- Cover 2,400 km of distance with its width varies from 400 km in Kashmir to 150 km in Arunachal Pradesh.
- Altitudinal variations are greater in the eastern half than those in the western half.
The Himalayas consists of three parallel ranges:
- Himadri/Great or Inner Himalayas
- Northernmost Range
- Most continuous range consisting of the loftiest peaks (average height of 6000 m).
- The folds of Great Himalayas are asymmetrical in nature.
- Core is made up of granite and is perennially snowbound.
- Number of glaciers descend from this range.
- Himachal or Lesser Himalaya/Middle Himalayas
- Range lying to the south of the Himadri.
- Composed of highly compressed and altered rocks.
- Average altitude varies between 3,700 m and 4,500 m and the average width is 50 km.
- Pir Panjal range forms the longest and most important range.
- Famous valleys like Kashmir, Kangra, and Kullu are found in this range.
- Shiwaliks or Outer Himalayas
- Outermost range of the Himalayas.
- Composed of unconsolidated sediments brought down by rivers.
- Average heights vary from 900 to 1100 meters and they extend over a width of 10-50 km.
- Shiwaliks consist of longitudinal valleys known as Duns.
- Valleys are covered with thick gravel and alluvium.
Himalayan Ranges: West to East
- Besides the longitudinal divisions, Himalayas have been divided on the basis of regions from West to East demarcated by river valleys:
- Himalayas between Indus and Sutlej rivers
- Himalayas between Sutlej and Kali rivers
- Himalayas between Kali and Teesta rivers
- Himalayas between Teesta and Dihang rivers
- Punjab/Kashmir and Himachal Himalayas
- Kumaon Himalayas
- Nepal Himalayas
- Assam Himalayas
Purvanchal Himalayas
- Another important part of Himalayas running in the northeastern part is known as Purvanchal Himalayas or Eastern Himalayas.
- Beyond Dihang gorge, the Himalayas bend sharply to the south and spread along the eastern boundary of India.
- Composed of strong sedimentary rocks.
- Comprised of various hills such as Patkai hills, the Naga hills, the Manipur hills, and the Mizo hills.
- Dense forests, valleys, and rivers are found in this range.
The Northern Plain
Recall the story of Formation of northern plains.
- Rivers played a Major Role in its formation.
- The Indus, the Ganga, and the Brahmaputra along with their tributaries are responsible for the formation of the Northern plain.
- Deposition of alluvium in the foothills of Himalayas brought by them.
Northern plain spreads over an area of 7 lakh sq. km
- 2400 km long and 240 km to 320 km broad.
- Densely populated physiographic division.
- Fertile soil.
- Abundance of water.
Various geographical features as Northern plains.
- Agriculturally a productive part.
- Riverine islands, doabs, and distributaries.
Riverine Islands
- Majuli, in the Brahmaputra river, is the largest inhabited riverine island in the world.
- Due to deposition of sediments in the lower course, the river split into numerous channels, leading to the formation of Distributaries.
Doab
- Land between the two rivers is known as doab.
- Ganga-Yamuna Doab
Division of Northern Plains
- Northern plain is broadly divided into three sections:
- Punjab Plains: Western part of Northern plain.
- The Ganga Plains: Extends between Ghaggar and Teesta rivers.
- Brahmaputra plain: East to the Ganga plains lies the Brahmaputra plain.
Bhabar, Terai, Bhangar and Khadar
- Apart from the division on the basis of area, Northern plains can also be divided on the basis of diverse relief features.
- Bhabar: Belt of about 8 to 16 km in width lying parallel to the slopes of the Shiwaliks.
- Terai: The wet, swampy, and marshy region where the streams and rivers re-emerge.
- Bhangar: Older alluvium lying above the floodplains.
- Khadar: New and young alluvium renewed almost every year.
Importance of Different Physical Features
Each physiographic unit contributes unique natural resources to the country:
- Mountains: Source of water and forest wealth
- Northern Plains: Granaries of the country
- Plateau: Storehouse of minerals
- Coastal regions and Islands: Provide sites for fishing and port activities
NCERT Exercise Questions & Answers
Class 9th - Geography - Physical Features of India - Exercise Questions
1. Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below.
(c) Peninsula
(c) Purvachal
(b) Konkan
(c) Mahendragiri
2. Answer the following questions briefly.
(i) What is the bhabar?
Bhabar is a narrow belt of pebbles and rocks along the base of the Shiwalik foothills.
(ii) Name the three major divisions of the Himalayas from north to south.
The three major divisions of the Himalayas from north to south are:
1. Greater Himalayas or Himadri
2. Lesser Himalayas or Himachal
3. Outer Himalayas or Shiwaliks
(iii) Which plateau lies between the Aravali and the Vindhyan ranges?
The Malwa Plateau lies between the Aravali and the Vindhyan ranges.
(iv) Name the island group of India having coral origin.
Lakshadweep Islands
3. Distinguish between
(i) Bhangar and Khadar
Bhangar is the older alluvium and forms the higher ground level, while Khadar is the newer alluvium and forms the lower floodplain along river banks.
(ii) Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats
Western Ghats are higher and continuous, running parallel to the western coast. Eastern Ghats are discontinuous and lower, running parallel to the eastern coast.
4. Which are the major physiographic divisions of India? Contrast the relief of the Himalayan region with that of the Peninsular plateau.
The major physiographic divisions of India are:
1. The Himalayan Mountains
2. The Northern Plains
3. The Peninsular Plateau
4. The Coastal Plains
5. The Islands
The relief of the Himalayan region is characterized by young fold mountains with high peaks, deep valleys, and glaciers. In contrast, the Peninsular plateau is an old stable landmass with rounded hills, shallow valleys, and extensive plateau areas.
5. Give an account of the Northern Plains of India.
The Northern Plains of India are formed by the alluvial deposits brought by rivers like the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and their tributaries. These plains are fertile and densely populated, with rich agricultural activity. They stretch from Punjab in the west to Assam in the east, covering states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal.
6. Write short notes on the following.
(i) The Indian Desert
The Indian Desert, also known as the Thar Desert, is located in the northwest part of India. It is a hot desert with sandy terrain and sparse vegetation. The Aravalli Range forms its southern boundary, and it experiences extreme temperatures with low rainfall.
(ii) The Central Highlands
The Central Highlands of India are a broad, undulating plateau region in the center of the country. It is bounded by the Aravalli Range in the west and the Vindhyan Range in the south. This region consists of low hills, plateaus, and river valleys, with a mixed vegetation of deciduous forests and grasslands.
(iii) The Island groups of India
India has two major island groups:
1. Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Located in the Bay of Bengal, these islands are of volcanic origin and known for their dense rainforests and biodiversity.
2. Lakshadweep Islands: Located in the Arabian Sea, these islands are coral atolls formed by coral reefs. They are known for their clear waters, coral reefs, and marine biodiversity.
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