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Physiography of India: Major Physiographic Divisions and Significance

Physiography of India: India has six physiographic divisions . Check complete details of Physiography of India, Physical Features, Map, Physiographic Divisions, Importance, India Physiography UPSC.

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Physiography of India

India is one of the world’s oldest and most advanced civilizations, and it has a distinctive culture. From the snow-capped Himalayas in the north to the sun-drenched seaside communities in the south and the humid tropical woods on the south-west coast, it reaches. In its east is the lush Brahmaputra river, while in its west is the Thar Desert.

The length of the Indian Mainland is between 8°4′ and 37°6′ north (latitudes). Likewise, the width is between 68°7′ East and 97°25′ East (longitudes). This results in an East-West extension of 2933 km and a North-South extension of 3214 km.

The Tropic of Cancer splits India into two equal sections, Northern India and Southern India, at a latitude of 23°30′ north. The eight Indian states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura, and Mizoram are located along the Tropic of Cancer.

The western- and eastern-most regions of the country are separated by a difference of around two hours due to a 30 degree difference in longitude between them. In the heart of the nation, at 82°30′ East longitude is where the Standard Meridian is located. The Indian Standard Time is established (5 and half hour ahead of GMT). The Standard Meridian travels through Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh, close to Allahabad.

What are Major Physiographic Divisions of India?

India is a physically diverse country. India has six physiographic divisions based on the country’s diverse physiographic characteristics:

• Northern and North-eastern Mountain
• Northern Plain

Peninsular Plateau

• Indian Desert

Coastal Plains

Physiographic divisions of india, northern and north-eastern mountains structure.

The vast Himalayas are generally oriented from northwest to southwest (in Northwestern region). North-South oriented, the Himalayas can be found in Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram. The Himalayas are geographical, climatic, hydrological, and a source of cultural division. The Himalayas’ subdivisions:

Kashmir Himalayas : Ranges in the Karakoram, Ladakh, Zaskar, and Pir Panjal. Between the Greater Himalayas and the Karakoram ranges, the northern-most portion of the Kashmir Himalayas is a cold desert. Between the tall Himalayas, Pir Panjal, and Dal Lake is the Kashmir Valley. The Kashmir valley contains karewa formations that are ideal for growing the zafran kind of saffron. Dal and Wular lakes are freshwater lakes located in the Kashmir Himalayas. There are two salt water lakes: Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri. Jhelum and Chenab rivers flow through this area of the Himalayas.

Himachal & Uttaranchal Himalayas : The Indus and Ganga river systems drain the region of the Himalayas between the Ravi and Kali rivers in the west and east, respectively. In the Spiti sub-division of Lahul and Spiti, the northernmost portion of the Himacahl Himalayas is an extension of the Ladakh cold desert. From north to south, it is made up of the Great Himalaya, the Lesser Himalayas, and the Shiwalik range, locally known as Dhaoladhar in Himachal Pradesh and Nagtibha in Uttarakhand. This area of the Himalayas is known for its “Dun formations” and “Shiwalik formations.” The location of all five Prayags is here:

Darjiling and Sikkim Himalayas: It is made up of the Himalayas of Nepal in the west and Bhutan in the east. Despite being modest, this component is important. Tista is the area’s swift-moving river. Deep valleys and Kanchenjunga peak (Kanchengiri). Tribes of Lepcha in high places. Shiwalik formations are absent in this area, which is its defining feature. In their place, there exist “duar formations,” which are helpful for the growth of tea gardens.

Arunachal Himalyas: Shiwalik formations are absent. Himalayas in eastern Bhutan up to Diphu Pass in eastern direction. Ranges run from the southwest to the northeast. Mountain summits like Kangtu and Namcha Barwa are significant ones. Brahmaputra crosses Namcha Barwa and then continues into a narrow gorge. Indigenous groups have protected the region’s abundant biodiversity. Due to the rough geography, there are no transportation links between valleys. Most contacts take place in the duar region along the border between Arunachal and Assam.

Eastern Hills and Mountains: They are aligned from the north and the south. Manipur and Mizoram’s Barak River. Loktak, a sizable lake in the middle of Manipur, is encircled by mountains on all sides. Soft, unconsolidated deposits make up the Molassis Basin, often known as the Mizoram region. Nagaland’s rivers are tributaries of the Brahmaputra. The Barak River flows into the Meghna. Rivers in Manipur’s eastern region flow into Chindwin, which flows into Myanmar’s Irrawaddy.

Northern Plains Physiology of India

Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra rivers carried alluvial deposits that formed them. From east to west, the Northern Plains in Indian Physiography span 3200 km. Alluvium deposits can be found up to 2000 kilometres below the surface.

Bhabar (a narrow belt parallel to the Shiwalik foothills at slope break-up), Tarai (located south of Bhabar, re-emerging without any clearly demarcated channel, this region has lush growth of natural vegetation), and Alluvial plains (located south of Tarai, mature stage of fluvial erosional and depositional landforms like sand bars, meanders). Khadar and Bhangar are its two divisions.

India’s oldest and most stable continent, with a general incline toward the east. Tors, Block Mountains, rift valleys, spurs, bare rocky structures, a sequence of humpbacked hills, and wall-like quartzite dykes that provide a natural location for water storage are significant physiographic features. The occurrence of black dirt in the western and northern regions is pronounced.

Peninsular plateau continues to Jaisalmer in the west, where it is covered by Barchans, or crescent-shaped sand dunes, and lengthy sand ridges. By the occurrence of metamorphic rocks like marble, slate, gneiss, etc., metamorphic chain history can be determined. The Deccan Plateau, Central Highlands, and Northeastern Plateau are the threedivisions of the Peninsular Plateau.

The Central Highlands : Extends from the Narmada River to the northern plains, and is bordered by the Satpura Range in the south and the Aravalis in the west. The central highlands include the Malwa and Chhotanagpur Plateaus. Rajmahal hills comprise the Eastern Extension of the Central Highlands.

Deccan Plateau: A fault separates it from the Chhota Nagpur Plateau. The Deccan Plateau’s black soil region, sometimes referred to as the Deccan Trap because of the volcanic activity that created it, is used for the growth of cotton and sugarcane. Both Western and Eastern ghats are present. At the Nilgiri Hills, both Ghats converge.

Northeastern Plateau: In essence, it is a peninsular plateau expansion. It consists of the plateaus of Meghalaya and Karbi Anglong, which are cut off from the main block. Three regions make up the Meghalaya plateau: the Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia hills. The plateau of Meghalaya receives the most rainfall and is barren of any ongoing vegetation. It has abundant mineral resources as well..

The Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal both run parallel to India’s coastal plains. It is separated between Western and Eastern Coastal Plains based on location and active geomorphic processes.

The Western Coastal Plain: Extends from Rann of Kachchh to Kanyakumari. It has four divisions:

• Kachchh & Kathiawar coast in Gujarat
• Konkan coast in Maharashtra
• Goan coast in Karnataka
• Malabar coast in Kerala

The western coast widens towards the north and south but is narrow in the middle. Western Coast rivers do not form deltas.

Eastern Coastal Plain: Along the Bay of Bengal, it stretches. The eastern counterpart is narrower than this one. There aren’t many ports and harbours because it is a developing coastal plain. In the Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri rivers, there are well-established deltas. Up to 500 kilometres into the sea, the continental shelf reaches.

The Islands in India

India’s physiography includes two significant island groups. They are in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. There are 204 islands in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands group, which is part of the Bay of Bengal. The “Ten Degree Channel” divides the Andaman Islands from Nicobar Islands, which are located in the north and south, respectively. These islands’ coastlines contain coral reefs and lovely beaches. They have vegetation of an equatorial kind. The Lakshadweep and Minicoy Islands are parts of the Arabian Sea Group. The Malabar Coast is not far from where they are. They are fully constructed from coral deposits. Minicoy is the largest of the 43 islands.

Bay of Bengal island groups: There are approximately 572 islands and islets in the Bay of Bengal island groups. They are basically located between 6°N and 14°N and 92°E and 94°E. The Ritchie’s archipelago and Labyrinth Island are the two main islet groups. The Andaman in the north and the Nicobar in the south make up the two main divisions of the entire group of islands. A body of water known as the 10° channel separates them.

Islands of the Arabian Sea: The Lakshadweep and Minicoy islands are located in the Arabian Sea. These are dispersed between latitudes 8°N and 12°N and 71°E and 74°E. These islands are situated between 280 and 480 kilometres off the coast of Kerala. The entire island chain is made of deposits of coral. There are about 36 islands, and 11 of them are populated. The largest island, Minicoy, has a surface area of 453 sq. km. The 11° canal roughly divides the entire collection of islands, with the Amini Island to its north and the Canannore Island to its south.

Physical Features of India in Map

Physiography of India Importance

Fold Mountains make form the Great Mountain Wall of the North, which stretches from Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh. Their width varies between 230 and 400 kilometres, and their length is approximately 2,500 kilometres. While the lowlands are renowned for their fertility because to alluvial soils, the Himalayas shield the country from frigid waves from Central Asia.

South of the Himalayas is the Great Northern Plain, which runs from the Punjab plain in the west to the Brahmaputra valley in the east. The northern plains are a riverine area with fertile soil, moderate temperatures, a level topography that facilitates the construction of roads and railroads, and slow-moving rivers. These factors all work together to make this point crucial.

With the central highlands in the north and the Deccan plateau in the south, the peninsular plateau is the Indian subcontinent’s oldest structure. The Plateau region is abundant in minerals and other resources. The West and East Coastal Plains, respectively, are the narrow coastal strips that stretch along the Western and Eastern Ghats.

They act as crucial hinterlands for significant ports. The development of the nation’s economy depends on these ports. They act as focal points for both domestic and foreign trade. Other than rice, a variety of crops are grown on the rich, fertile soil found in numerous areas of the Indian coastal plains. Along with the mainland, India also has two sets of islands: Andaman and Nicobar Island and Lakshadweep Island.

India is able to protect chokepoints thanks to its island territory. In Indian waters, pirate attacks are deterred by the presence of military troops on these islands. These islands are utilised for cooperative exercises with other navies to increase the security of India’s marine assets.

Physiography of India FAQs

Q What are the 7 physical divisions of India?

Ans. The 7 physical divisions of India are:

• The Himalayan Mountains.
• The Northern Plains.
• The Peninsular Plateau.
• The Indian Desert.
• The Coastal Plains.
• The Islands.

Q Which is the largest physiography of India?

Ans. The Peninsular Plateau or Deccan Plateau is the largest physiography of India. It covers an area of about 16 lakh sq km forms the largest and oldest physiographic division of India .

Q Which physiographic region is oldest in India?

Ans. The peninsular plateau was one of the parts of the Gondwana landmass which drifted away. Hence, it is the oldest landmass of the indian subcontinent.

Q Which physiographic region is youngest in India?       

Ans. Northern plains are the youngest physiographic feature in India. They lie to the south of the Shivaliks, separated by the Himalayan Frontal Fault (HFF). The southern boundary is a wavy irregular line along the northern edge of the Peninsular India. On the eastern side, the plains are bordered by the Purvanchal hills

Q How many physiographic zones are there in India?

Ans. India is divided into  six  physiographic divisions on basis of the varied physiographic features: units as follows: Northern and North-eastern Mountain; Northern Plain; Peninsular Plateau; Indian Desert; Coastal Plains; and Islands.

Other Indian Geography Topics

Other Fundamental Geography Topics

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What are the 7 physical divisions of India?

• The Himalayan Mountains. • The Northern Plains. • The Peninsular Plateau. • The Indian Desert. • The Coastal Plains. • The Islands.

Which is the largest physiography of India?

The Peninsular Plateau or Deccan Plateau is the largest physiography of India. It covers an area of about 16 lakh sq km forms the largest and oldest physiographic division of India.

Which physiographic region is oldest in India?

The peninsular plateau was one of the parts of the Gondwana landmass which drifted away. Hence, it is the oldest landmass of the indian subcontinent.

Which physiographic region is youngest in India?

Northern plains are the youngest physiographic feature in India. They lie to the south of the Shivaliks, separated by the Himalayan Frontal Fault (HFF). The southern boundary is a wavy irregular line along the northern edge of the Peninsular India. On the eastern side, the plains are bordered by the Purvanchal hills

How many physiographic zones are there in India?

India is divided into six physiographic divisions on basis of the varied physiographic features: units as follows: Northern and North-eastern Mountain; Northern Plain; Peninsular Plateau; Indian Desert; Coastal Plains; and Islands

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Home — Essay Samples — Geography & Travel — India — India’s Diverse Tapestry: An Exploration of Its Physical Features

India's Diverse Tapestry: an Exploration of Its Physical Features

• Categories: India Indian Culture

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Published: Jan 29, 2019

Words: 915 | Pages: 2 | 5 min read

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Introduction, the majestic himalayas, the great indian desert, the deccan plateau and fertile plains.

• Bilham, R. (2004). Plate-tectonic force essential for forming the Tibetan Plateau. Nature, 435(7044), 1062-1065.
• Jain, S. K., & Khare, P. (2009). Ecological significance of Thar Desert: An overview. Annals of Arid Zone, 48(4), 353-365.
• Valdiya, K. S. (2013). The making of India: Geodynamic evolution. Springer Science & Business Media.
• Chitale, V. S., & Behera, M. D. (2010). Large-scale deforestation in the Western Ghats of India: Present status, conservation needs, and implications for sustainable management. Tropical Conservation Science, 3(2), 249-262.
• Kale, V. S., & Rajaguru, S. N. (2011). Geology and geomorphology of India. PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd.
• Sridhar, A. N. (2009). Ecology of the coast of India. Oxford University Press.
• Misra, D. K., Tewari, R. C., & Venkatesh, B. (2005). Soils of India: Origin and classification. National Book Trust, India.

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Notes of Ch 2 Physical Features of India| Class 9th Geography

Study material and notes of ch 2 physical features of india class 9th geography.

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Geography Notes

Natural regions of india (explained with diagram).

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A natural region is one which exhibits a rough uniformity of physical features, such as relief, geomorphological history, drainage, climate, natural vegetation, animal life and soils, in relation to the adjoining regions. However, within the macro-regions, there may be’ differences in respect of these factors at the micro-level, while preserving an overall regional uniformity.

For instance, the Kashmir mountains and the north­eastern hills, though part of the Himalayan chain of mountains and having similar origin, show striking differences in geology, glacial features, relief, aspect, distribution of moisture, etc. Therefore, different criteria may be required to define regions at macro and micro levels.

There are no clear-cut natural regions. This complexity is even more pronounced in a vast country like India. This is because the physical parameters, used to define a region, often overlap and their boundaries, in reality, reflect the transitional zone between two clearly marked regional units.

The macro-regions are referred to as the regions of first order.

There are four regions of first order in India:

1. The Himalayan Mountain Complex

2. The North Indian Plain

3. The Peninsular Plateau

4. The Islands

The micro-regions are referred to as the regions of second order, which can be further sub­divided. The natural regions of second order in India are discussed below.

Regions in the Himalayas:

Moving from west to east, the Himalayas consist of a number of distinctly marked regional units.

These units are:

2. Karakoram, Ladakh and Baltistan

3. Himachal and Kumaon.

4. Eastern Himalayas

5. Purvanchal

The level plains of the Kashmir valley are surrounded by high mountains. A temperate climate; temperate and alpine vegetation, numerous perennial streams and a great variety of forests across different mountain ranges are some of its distinguishing features. This variety is due to differences in altitude and aspect.

To the north of the Kashmir valley lie the imposing heights of Karakoram and other ranges and enclosed within them are old plateaux— Baltistan, Aksai Chin and Deosai, etc. To the north-east lies the Ladakh region, which is a cold desert with scanty natural vegetation.

The Himalayan Mountains lying to the east of the Satluj gorge are called the Himachal Himalayas, which have a different rainfall pattern and vegetation compared to the Kashmir Himalayas. The Kulu and Kangra valleys of this region- have distinct features of their own. High rainfall in this region, especially in low lying areas, is reflected in the tropical nature of vegetation.

To further east of the Himachal Himalayas lie the Kumaon and Uttarakhand regions which have a more or less similar natural setting. From 86° E longitude onwards, there develops a sharp contrast between the eastern and western Himalayas. The deciding factor here is strong monsoon currents which cause heavy rainfall in the eastern sector. This aspect is reflected in lush green tropical wet evergreen vegetation of this region.

The Purvanchal or the Indo-Myanmarese Hills represent the southward bend of the Himalayas or the Syntaxian bend. These hills are characterised by a low altitude (generally less than 2,000 m), a lower rainfall and monsoon deciduous type of vegetation.

Regions in the Plains:

The plains are interposed between the Himalayas and the peninsular plateau and consist of the following regions:

6. Punjab Plains

7. Indo-Gangetic Divide

8. Ganga Plains

9. Gangetic Delta

10. Assam Valley

The Punjab Plains in the west are, in reality, a transitional climatic sone, having a dry climate and dry thorny forest cover. The four doabs lying in India—Ghaj, Rachna, Bist and Bari—are caused by fluctuating river courses and have different physical characteristics from the rest of the plains.

The transition zone between the Indus Plains and Yamuna is called the Lido-Gangetic Divide which is of alluvial character and represents the transition from semi-arid Punjab Plains to sub- humid Ganga valley.

The Gangetic Plains are of uniform relief formed by heavy deposition work carried out by the Ganga and its tributaries. A striking feature of this region is a gradual increase in rainfall eastwards, reflected also in the nature of vegetation and soils. This increase is related to increasing nearness of this region to the source of moisture (i.e., the Bay of Bengal).

The Ganga Delta is dotted with a typical maze of river courses and is distinguished from the rest of the plain by high humidity and high temperatures.

The Brahmaputra valley in Assam represents the eastern frontier of the north Indian plains. It is enclosed by the Himalayan foothills in the north, Purvanchal in the east and Shillong Plateau in the south. The distinct monsoon climate with a shorter than usual summer supports a thick cover of vegetation.

Regions in the Plateau:

The peninsular plateau is the most extensive geomorphological entity on the subcontinent and can be divided into the following meso-regions, or regions of the second order:

11. Thar Desert

12. Aravalli Hills

13. Central Vindhyan Uplands

14. Khandesh and Satpura-Maikal Ranges

15. Chhotanagpur Plateau

16. Meghalaya Plateau

17. Kachchh and Kathiawar

18. Gujarat Plains

19. Konkan Coast

20. Goa and Kanara Cost

21. Kerala Coastal Plain

22. Western Ghats

23. Deccan Lava Plateau

24. Karnataka Plateau

25. Wainganga and Mahanadi Basins

26. Telengana

27. Southern Hill Complex

28. Eastern Ghats

29. Orissa Delta

30. Andhra Coastal Plains and Deltas

31. Tamil Nadu

The Thar Desert lies to the west of the Aravallis beyond the north-western flank of the Plateau. This desert is a vast expanse of sand accumulated during ages of denudation under extremely hot and dry conditions. As a result, both vegetation and soil cover are very scanty.

The Aravallis separate the desert from the Vindhyan upland and Bundelkhand gneissic country lying to the east. The western slopes of the Aravallis around Udaipur are quite typically hilly, rainy and forested. North of Ajmer, the Aravallis are broken into a series of parallel ridges, which reach upto the southern margins of Delhi, and are separated by longitudinal valleys.

The central Vindhyan upland is a highly dissected region, in which a line of scarps and hill ranges run across the sub-regions of the Malwa Plateau and Bundelkhand gneissic country. These hills consist of the Vindhyan, Bhanver and Kaimur Hills. The highly dissected nature of the upland has not allowed the soil structure to develop fully; as a result, soil cover is shallow, except in narrow river basins. The vegetation varies from tropical dry deciduous to the tropical thorny types.

The Khandesh region lies in the alluvial basin of the Tapti trough, caused partially by tributary Purna, south of the Narmada scarp. The Satpura, Mahadeo and Maikal ranges, which are actually scarped plateaux, dominate the relief in this region. Khandesh lies between the Ajanta Hills and the Satpura range.

The Chhotanagpur Plateau to the east of the Son is another highly dissected upland having series of relict surfaces reflecting years of erosion. This region is characterised by varying altitude, a high rainfall, high humidity and tropical moist deciduous forest.

The Shillong Plateau in the east is, actually, an extension of the Peninsular Plateau separated by the Ganga-Brahriiaputra Plains in Bangladesh. This region has been dissected through intensive erosion over the years into a complex maze of hills. A high level of humidity and abundant sunshine support a variety of tropical wet evergreen forests.

The lava plateau of Kathiawar and the mud and salt wastes of Kachchh lie along the western flank of the Peninsular Plateau. Although many hill ranges that dot the Kathiawar peninsula are very low in height (generally 200 m), some, like the Gir Ranges, rise higher. Although dry climate and scanty deciduous vegetation dominate the region, there are variations in soil and natural vegetation because of diversity in rock formations and relief.

The Gujarat Plains represent a transition zone between the humid west coast and the arid and semi-arid Rajasthan; these plains have acquired an alluvial character because of deposition action of the Sabarmati, Mahi, Narmada and Tapti.

The Konkan Coast is a narrow, fertile plain, overlooked by highly dissected scarps of the Western Ghats. Rainfall is very high here, which makes it an intensively cultivated belt.

The Goa and Kanara Coast is generally a transition zone between Konkan and Kerala. It has a hot and humid climate with rainy seasons lengthening southwards.

The coastal plain widens in Kerala. The Kerala Coast shows a great variety in distribution of rainfall as well as vegetation. The rainfall, however, shows a decreasing trend towards the southern tip .of the peninsula.

The Western Ghat escarpments form the western edge of the Peninsular Plateau. The Ghats run continuously southwards, with occasional breaks or gaps, like those of Palghat and Shencottah, which facilitate cross-communication. The physical appearance of the Western Ghats suddenly changes near Goa. Here, the highly rugged topography of lava rocks gives way to the smoothly rounded hills composed of granites and gneisses. The western slopes of the Ghats receive heavy rainfall and support a very rich diversity of evergreen and deciduous forests.

The Deccan Plateau, which dominates the inner peninsular topography, is actually composed of layered depositions of lava which erupted during the last phases of the volcanic activity in the peninsula. The Western Ghats to the west block the main currents of the south-west monsoon, giving the Deccan Plateau region a typically rain-shadow current. In the north, the boldly rising Ajanta Hills border the Deccan Plateau. The weathering of lava layers has produced fertile black soils in the Deccan Trap region.

The Karnataka Plateau to the south of the Deccan region is characterised by a generally uniform relief, with an altitude between 450 m and 800 m. This region is composed of granites and gneisses in contrast to the Deccan region. There are variations, however, of climate, natural vegetation and soils at’local level—reflected, for instance, in two main sub-regions of Malnad and Maidan.

A series of undulating plains and basins lie to the east and north-east of the Deccan Plateau regions. The Wainganga valley and the Mahanadi basin are two main sub-regions which exhibit differences in rainfall (which is higher in upper Mahanadi basin) and vegetation (Sal fewest of Wainganga valley is replaced by teak forest in the Mahanadi basin).

The Telengana region to the south-east of the Deccan region is a low plateau which is highly denuded and dissected. The isolated relict landforms, or ‘monadrocks’, produce some diversity in the otherwise open and mature topography. The northern part has scanty vegetaiion, while the south is mainly an expanse of tropical savanna grasses.

To the south of the Palghat Gap lie the most complex hill ranges of the peninsula which include the Nilgiris, Annamalais and Palni/Cardamom group. These hills are characterised by ‘horst and graben’ topography. These hills have a rich growth of forests, particularly of teak and sandalwood.

All along the eastern coast lie discontinuous ridges which together constitute the Eastern Ghats, The Eastern Ghats are characterised by low lying hills and greater distance from the coast, in sharp contrast to the Western Ghats.

The Eastern Ghats consist of three main groups of hills:

(i) The northern hills which lie between Jamshedpur and Godavari.

(ii) The hill ranges lying between the Godavari and the Palconda range and formed mostly by the rocks of the Cudappah system.

(iii) Tamil Nadu Hills lying between Palar and Cauveri.

These hills show variations of rainfall and vegetation on account of north-south variation in rainfall and the north-south orientation of hills- parallel to the east coast of India. The northern hills are more forested than the southern ones. The Cudappah hill ranges are generally wooded but not as thickly as the northern hills. The Tamil Nadu Hills, on the other hand, have some forest growth on the eastern slopes.

The east coast of India has three main segments: the Orissa Coast, Andhra Coast and Coromandel Coast of Tamil Nadu. In Orissa, the Mahandi and Brahmani have built a wide deltaic plain, generally moist and forested in parts.

The Andhra Coastal Plain and the deltas of Godavari and Krishna show the transition between the south-west and the north-east monsoon regimes. This transition is clearly seen in the Godavari delta. The Coromandel Coast has its own rainfall regime determined by the north-eastern monsoon.

Related Articles:

• Top 4 Natural Divisions of India
• Climatic Regions of India (With Maps)
• The Climate of India (With Map)
• Water Harvesting Measures for Agro-Climatic Regions | India

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• India Essay

Essay on India

India is the largest democratic country. It is a big country divided into 29 states and 7 union territories. These states and union territories have been created so that the government can run the country more easily. India also has many different kinds of physical features in different parts of the country that are spread over its states and union territories. India is a very diverse country as well, which means that the people around the country are different in many ways. Even though India is such a diverse place, it is united as one country. 

Political Divisions

India is the seventh-largest country and has the second-largest population in the world. Here is the map of India showing 29 states and 7 union territories. These political divisions are made so that the government can run the country more easily. Though we live in different states, everyone is an Indian first.

[Image will be uploaded soon]

Physical Features

The Indian subcontinent has many different physical features shared with its neighbours that are also in the subcontinent – Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. The physical features of India form six different natural regions. 

The Northern Mountains

The Northern Plains

The Great Indian Desert

The Southern Plateau

The Coastal Plains

The Island Regions

The Northern Mountains: These are the Himalayas, the highest mountain range in the world. They form a natural boundary between India and a large part of Asia. Two neighbouring countries, Nepal and Bhutan are situated in these mountains. 

The Northern Plains: They are located to the south of the Himalayas. They extend into Pakistan in the west. Bangladesh is situated on the eastern part of the plains. 

The Great Indian Desert: The western part of India is a desert with less rainfall. This desert is called the Thar Desert. 

The Southern Plateau: This plateau region lies to the south of the Great Northern Plains and is called the Deccan Plateau. The Vindhya and Satpura ranges in the north, the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats surround the Deccan Plateau. 

The Coastal Plains: The Eastern coastal plain lies between the Bay of Bengal and the Eastern Ghats. The western coastal plain lies between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats.

The Island Regions: The island regions of India are two archipelagos on either side of Peninsula India. The Lakshadweep Islands are in the Arabian Sea and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are in the Bay of Bengal. 

The Rivers of India

The Indian subcontinent has many rivers. Some important rivers are the Indus, Ganga, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, Sutlej, the Narmada and Tapi rivers. 

These physical features and rivers link the people of India.

National Symbols

The National Flag of India is in the tricolour of deep saffron at the top, white in the middle and dark green at the bottom in equal proportions. The saffron stands for courage, sacrifice and the spirit of renunciation, the white for purity and the truth and the green for faith and fertility. In the centre of the white band, there is a wheel of law in the Sarnath Lion Capital.

The National Emblem of India is a replica of the Lion of Sarnath and symbolizes India’s reaffirmation of its ancient commitment to world peace and goodwill. 

The National Anthem of India is Jana Gana Mana and the National song is Vande Mataram.

The National Animal of India is Tiger, which symbolizes grace, strength and power.

The National Bird of India is Peacock, which symbolizes beauty, majesty and pride. 

The National Flower of India is Lotus, which symbolizes purity, wealth, richness, knowledge and serenity.

The National Tree of India is the Great Banyan Tree and because of its characteristics and longevity, the tree is considered immortal and sacred. It is an integral part of the myths and legends in India.

The National Fruit is Mango and it is the most cultivated fruit of the tropical world. 

Indian food is diverse. The geography of a region influences the food that people eat. The staple food of people is what grows in their regions. In North India, the staple food is Wheat. In East and South India, the staple food is Rice. In West India, the staple food is Millet. Daals are eaten in almost the entire country and prepared in different ways. 

Indians speak different languages. The Constitution of India mentions 22 languages. However, India has around 800 languages. Hindi is the official language of India. 

India is a country of many different religions and each has different festivals. Some important festivals are Baisakhi, Diwali, Eid, Ganesh Chaturthi, Dussehra and Christmas. 

Unity in Diversity

The people of India, their foods, festivals and languages – all these make India a very diverse country. However, there are also things that unite the people of India:

The National symbols like the Indian flag and the National Anthem.

The Constitution of India, which was written in the early years of our Independence. It unites the Indians because it has rules and laws that are the same for all people. 

The Constitution says that all Indians are equal in the eyes of the law.

All Indians who are over the age of 18 and have registered as voters can vote in elections.

FAQs on India Essay

Q1. Describe the National Flag of India.

Ans. The National Flag of India is in the tricolour of deep saffron at the top, white in the middle and dark green at the bottom in equal proportions. The saffron stands for courage, sacrifice and the spirit of renunciation, the white, for purity and the truth and the green for faith and fertility. In the centre of the white band, there is a wheel of law in the Sarnath Lion Capital.

Q2. What is the population of India?

Ans. The population of India is 1 billion 325 million. India has the second-largest population in the world.

Q3. What are the important Festivals Celebrated in India?

Ans. Some of the important festivals celebrated in India are Diwali, Dussehra, Eid and Christmas.

Q4. Why is India called the largest Democratic Country?

Ans. India is the largest democratic country because the citizens of India have the right to elect their representatives who form and run the government.

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Essay on India

India Essay

India is a vibrant and diverse country located in South Asia and is home to a population of over 1.3 billion people. India is a land of many cultures, religions, and languages of its, rich history, varied landscapes, and unique cuisine. India is also one of the world’s fastest-growing economies and has one of the most significant military forces in the world. India is a country of immense potential and opportunity and is a great place to visit and explore. Let us find out more about the Essay on India.

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Geography of India

India is one of the most diverse countries in the world, with a unique geography and climate. It is home to various landscapes, from snow-capped mountains to lush tropical rainforests and from deserts to serene beaches. India’s landmass covers a total of 1.26 million square miles, and the terrain varies from region to region.

India is in the northern hemisphere and comprises four distinct physical regions; the Himalayan Mountains, the Indo-Gangetic Plain, the Deccan Plateau, and the coastal plains. The Himalayan Mountains form the northern boundary of India, reaching heights of over 29,000 feet above sea level. This mountain range is home to many of India’s highest peaks, including Kanchenjunga and Nanda Devi. The western and eastern Ghats form the eastern and western boundaries of the Deccan Plateau, respectively. The Deccan Plateau is a large plateau that stretches across much of the interior of India and is home to many of the country’s major cities. The Indo-Gangetic Plain is a large region of flat land that runs through northern India and is home to the Indus and Ganges Rivers.

Culture of India

• India is a diverse country with a rich culture and long history. India is famous for its ancient civilization, which dates back to 4000 BC. India has a variety of cultures, including indigenous, Dravidian, Aryan, Persian, Greek, Turkish, Mongol, Arab, Portuguese, British, and French.
• The culture of India is an amalgamation of various cultures shaped over centuries. Indian culture combines different religions, traditions, customs, beliefs, values, and lifestyles. The culture of India is a result of its long history of India, its unique geography, and the diversity of its people.
• India is also a land of festivals, which people celebrate with great enthusiasm and joy. People from all over the world come to India to experience colorful and vibrant festivals. Traditional Indian art, music, and teaching and practice of dance forms since ancient times. These art forms pass down from generation to generation and are still practiced today. India is also famous for its cuisine, which is a combination of various flavors and spices.
• India is a country of tremendous diversity and is famous for its ancient culture and traditions. India is home to a vast array of languages like Hindi , religions, and customs, which make it a unique and fascinating place to visit.

Indian Flag

The Indian national flag was first adopted in its present form during the meeting of the Constituent Assembly held on 22 July 1947.

The chakra’s diameter approximates the white band’s width, and it has 24 spokes, representing the 24 hours in a day, the 24 teachers in the Buddhist tradition, and the four Varnas (divisions of Hinduism). The saffron stands for courage and sacrifice, the white stands for peace and truth, and the green stands for faith and chivalry.

Nature’s Beauty and Tourism

• India is a country of incredible beauty and diversity, blessed with abundant natural resources. From its spectacular mountain ranges, lush forests, and diverse wildlife to its stunning beaches, awe-inspiring monuments, and vibrant culture, India is a country that never fails to impress.
• From the majestic Taj Mahal to the stunning backwaters of Kerala, India has something to offer everyone. India’s wildlife is truly unique, from the snow leopards of the Himalayas to the Bengal tigers of the Sunderbans.
• India also boasts a rich cultural heritage and diverse languages, religions, and traditions. From the colorful Holi festival to the sacred Kumbh Mela, India’s festivals are a sight to behold. India also has some of the best cuisines in the world, from the spicy curries of the South to the sweet delicacies of the North.
• India is also an excellent destination for tourists from around the world. From the vibrant cities of Mumbai and Delhi to the tranquil backwaters of Kerala, India has something to offer everyone. From adventure activities like trekking and wildlife safaris to relaxing beach vacations, India has something for everyone.
• In short, India is a country of incredible beauty and diversity and an excellent destination for tourists worldwide. With its stunning natural beauty, vibrant culture, and diverse wildlife, India is the perfect destination for anyone looking to experience something truly unique.

Thoughts on Essay on India

India is a country of great potential and possibility. Its rich culture and history, vibrant people, and rapidly growing economy make it one of the most exciting places in the world. With the right policies and investments, it could become a significant global power in the coming years. India has tremendous potential for growth and development, and its people have the resilience and determination to make it happen. India is a land of hope, opportunity, and progress.

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India is part of the continent of Asia. Most of India forms a peninsula, which means it is surrounded by water on three sides.

India is part of the continent of Asia. Most of India forms a peninsula, which means it is surrounded by water on three sides. The world's highest mountain range, the Himalaya, rises in the north. The southeast is bordered by the Bay of Bengal, and the southwest is bordered by the Arabian Sea.

India's terrain varies widely, from the Thar Desert in the west to jungles in the northeast. A fertile area called the Ganges Plain covers much of northern India. This formation was created from soil that was deposited by rivers running from the Himalaya. In some places, this layer of silt is over 25,000 feet (7,620 meters) deep.

Map created by National Geographic Maps

PEOPLE & CULTURE

Society throughout India is divided into social ranks, called castes. Caste is determined by birth and there is almost no way to change it. High castes include priests, landowners, and soldiers. So-called Untouchables have no caste and do the most menial jobs.

India is a very spiritual country. It has no official religion, but more than 80 percent of Indians are Hindu. About 13 percent are Muslim. Other religions include Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism, which all began in India.

For thousands of years, since the Hindu religion first evolved, respect for animal life has been an important part of Indians' beliefs. Cows in particular are sacred and cannot be harmed. They are even allowed to wander through city streets, which often causes traffic jams!

India's varied climate zones support about 65,000 animal species, including elephants , pythons, river dolphins, and rhinos, and 12,000 types of flowering plants. It is the only country in the world with both lions and tigers . It's also a bird watcher's paradise.

On the coast of the Bay of Bengal is the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest. Here, tigers swim in the same rivers as dolphins, sea turtles, sharks, and saltwater crocodiles. This unique landscape is constantly under threat as sea levels rise and humans hunt illegally and clear trees for firewood.

The Himalaya mountains provide a home for some of India's rarest animals and plants. The most elusive animal is the snow leopard. Bears and black buck live lower down, and in the northeast, the tiger and one-horned rhinoceros can be found.

GOVERNMENT & ECONOMY

India's parliamentary government was inherited from the British. After independence in 1947, one party, the Congress Party, and one family, the Nehru family, dominated politics in India for decades. Now, however, many parties compete for elected positions.

India's economy is growing so fast that experts predict it will soon become one of the world's leading markets. Indians are hard workers. And though many are poorly educated, there are many others who are highly trained college graduates.

India's earliest known civilization arose about 5,000 years ago on the Indus River in what is now Pakistan. Archaeologists uncovered the remains of two huge cities with brick houses, piped water, and sewer systems. Nobody knows why, but these cities, called Harappa and Mohenjo Daro, were abandoned in 1700 B.C.

The Aryan people were farmers from Central Asia who arrived in India around 1500 B.C. They spoke Sanskrit, one of the world's oldest known languages. The Vedic Scriptures, writings that form the basis of the Hindu religion, were written during the Aryan reign.

In the 200-year reign of the Gupta Empire, starting in the fourth century A.D., arts, crafts, and sciences flourished. During this time, the Indian astronomer Aryabhatta determined that the Earth revolved around the sun. This was long before the Western world accepted the theory.

Beginning in the 16th century, following a series of invasions by Muslim forces, a Mongol leader named Babur founded the Mongol Empire. The Mongols oversaw a golden age of art, literature, and architecture in India between 1527 and 1707. They built roads, mosques, gardens, and enormous tombs, including the grand Taj Mahal.

In the late 1400s, Europeans arrived in India and began setting up trading companies. In 1757, Britain gained control over most of the country. Uprisings against British rule began in 1856. In 1920, the famous Mahatma Gandhi began nonviolent protests to push the British out. In 1947, India had independence.

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NCERT Class 9 Geography Chapter 2 Physical Features of India (Free PDF)

• Updated on  
• Nov 10, 2023

One of the essential topics in the class 9 Geography syllabus is ‘The Physical Features of India.’ It includes the careful study of the geological structure of the country as displayed in the physical features of the Indian map. The study highlights the underlying geological structure of India and also looks into the fact of what makes the country so diverse and different. In this blog, we have highlighted the physical features of India Class 9 to help in your revision!

This Blog Includes:

Physical divisions of india, parallel ranges of the himalayas, regional classification of the himalayas.

• The Northern Plains

The Central Highlands

The deccan plateau.

• The Indian Desert
• The Coastal Plains
• The Islands

Important Questions of Chapter 2 Physical Features of India

Extra questions of chapter 2 physical features of india.

Revise CBSE Notes Class 6 Geography

Introduction to the NCERT Class 9 Geography Chapter 2: Physical Features of India

India is not only a culturally but also a geographically diverse country. The country has mountains,  plains, and plateaus to islands and deserts, and the physical features of India are very vast and diverse. If we see the formations of the physical features of the country we can also understand the ‘Theory of Plate Tectonics’. The theory states that the movement of these plates resulted in folding and faulting in continental rocks and volcanic activity. This occurred due to 3 types of plate movements:

The physical features of India can be divided into geological and physiological divisions. While the former consists of the Peninsular Block, Indo Ganga-Brahmaputra plain, and the Himalayas. The Physiographic Divisions have 6 major divisions:

• The Himalayan Mountains
• The Peninsular Plateau

Also Read: NCERT Class 6 Geography: Chapter 6 Our Country – India

The Himalayas are mountain barriers that stretch over the borders of northern India. These are some of the most rugged and loftiest mountains of the world and are one of the major landforms of the earth . The Himalayas form an arc that covers a distance of 2,400 Km.

The Himalayas primarily consist of three parallel ranges that are further divided into:

• Great or Inner Himalayas or the ‘Himadri’: Perennially snowbound, the Great Himalayas have the loftiest peaks. The Himadri has an average height of 6,000 meters and consists of all the major Himalayan Peaks. It is one of the most prominent physical features of India.  
• Himachal or Lesser Himalaya: The more rugged part of the mountain range that is also called the lesser Himalaya or Himachal. This area of Himachal is widely known for its beautiful hill stations. These ranges have an average height of 3700 to 4500 meters. Pir Panjal is the longest range. 
• Outer Himalayan Range or Shiwaliks: These are comparatively lower ranges, with altitudes varying from 900 to 1,100 meters. They comprise the unconsolidated sediments that get brought down by rivers from the Himadri ranges.
• Duns: The longitudinal valley lying between the lesser Himalayas and the Shiwaliks is known as Duns. Dehra Dun, Kotli Dun, and Patli Dun are some of the well-known Duns. 

Check out Himalaya ka Paryayvachi Shabd

The Himalayas are also divided on the basis of regions from west to east:

• The part of the Himalayas lying between the Indus and Satluj has been traditionally known as Punjab Himalaya but it is also known regionally as Kashmir and Himachal Himalaya from west to east respectively. 
• . The part of the Himalayas lying between the Satluj and Kali rivers is known as Kumaon Himalayas. 
• The Kali and Tista rivers demarcate the Nepal Himalayas and the part lying between Tista and Dihang rivers is known as Assam Himalayas. 
• The Brahmaputra marks the easternmost boundary of the Himalayas.

The three major river systems, the Indus, the Brahmaputra, and the Ganga have resulted in the formation of the northern plain. Spreading over 7 lakh sq. km, it is a vast area of alluvial soil.

The northern plain is divided into the following 3 sections:

• The Western part of the Northern Plain is referred to as the Punjab Plains. 
• The Indus and its tributaries–the Jhelum, the Chenab, the Ravi, the Beas, and the Satluj originate in the Himalayas.
• The Ganga plain extends between the Ghaggar and Teesta rivers. 
• It is spread over the states of North India, Haryana, Delhi, U.P., Bihar, partly Jharkhand, and West Bengal to its East, particularly in Assam lies the Brahmaputra plain.

The physical features of India, in context to the northern plans, have been given a rundown below: 

The Peninsular Plateau defines the physical features of India. It is mainly composed of old igneous, crystalline, and metamorphic rocks and is also one of the oldest land masses. The three major divisions of the Plateaus are the Central Highlands, the Deccan Plateau, and the NE Plateau. 

Spreading over the major area of the Malwa Plateau, The Central Highlands lie next to the north of the Narmada River. If you look closely at the physical features of the Indian map, you will find that these highlands are narrower in the east and broader in the west.

The Deccan Plateau forms a broad base of a triangular landmass that falls to the south of the Narmada River. The Satpura range, the Kaimur hills, and the Maikal range form its eastern extensions as can be seen in the physical features of the India map. Furthermore, the slope moves gently eastwards. 

Also called Meghalaya/Karbi-Anglong Plateau/N-central Chachar Hills, this is the extension of the main peninsular plateau.

Quick Fact: The point at which the Eastern and Western ghats meet, it is called the Deccan Trap. Bering is volcanic in nature, it has black soil and igneous rocks. 

• The entire expanse of the Indian desert lies in the western margins of the Aravali hills (demarcated in the physical features of the India map).
• It is covered in sandy plains and dunes, this region receives rainfall below 150 mm every year.
• Hence, there is minimal vegetation cover. The largest river that flows here is Luni. 

The coastal plains are narrow stretches of land across the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. As seen on the physical features of India map, the Coastal Plains in the southern part are broadly divided into, The Konkan, The Kannada Plain, and the Malabar coast. On the eastern side, across the Bay of Bengal, the plains are further classified into Northern Circar and the Coromandel Coast. Tabulated below are some of the major differences between the western and eastern coastal plains:

India mainly comprises two major Island groups, the Lakshadweep Islands in the Arabian Sea and The Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Andaman Island groups include 204 smaller islands. Furthermore, the A&N islands are divided by 10-degree channels. 

The group of islands are further divided into two sections:

• Andaman in the North
• Nicobar in the South

These islands are close to the equator, have thick forest covers and experience an equatorial climate

• There is a great diversity of flora and fauna in this group of islands. 
• These islands lie close to the equator and experience an equatorial climate.
• This island group has a great diversity of flora and fauna. thick forest cover.

Download NCERT Solutions Class 8 Geography Chapter 1 Resources (Free PDF)

1. Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below.

(i) A landmass bounded by the sea on three sides is referred to as

(c) Peninsula

(d) None of the above

Answer:  (c)

(ii) Mountain ranges in the eastern part of India forming its boundary with Myanmar are collectively called

(a) Himachal

(b) Uttarakhand

(c) Purvachal

(iii) The western coastal strip, south of Goa is referred to as

(a) Coromandel

(d) Northern Circar

(iv) The highest peak in the Eastern Ghats is

(a) Anai Mudi

(b) Kanchenjunga

(c) Mahendragiri

Answer:  C

2. Answer the following questions briefly.

(i) What is the bhabar?

The northern plains are generally described as flatlands, with no variations in their relief. However, that is not true. These vast plains also have diverse relief features. According to the variations in relief features, the northern plains can be divided into four regions. The rivers, after descending from the mountains, deposit pebbles in a narrow belt of about 8 to 16 km in width lying parallel to the slopes of the Shiwaliks. This region is known as bhabar.

(ii) Name the three major divisions of the Himalayas from north to south.

• The northernmost range is known as The Great or Inner Himalayas or Himadri.
• Himachal or Lesser Himalaya.
• Outer Himalayas or Shiwaliks.

(iii) Which plateau lies between the Aravali and the Vindhya ranges?

The Malwa plateau lies between Aravali and Vindhya ranges.

(iv) Name the island group of India having a coral origin.

The Lakshadweep Islands is the island group of India having a coral origin.

3. Distinguish between

(i) Bhangar and Khadar

• Lies above flood plains of the river.
• Older alluvium or old soil and forms the largest part of the northern plains.
• It is a newer, younger deposit of flood plains. It is renewed every year.

(ii) the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats

The Western Ghats

• Lie parallel to the Western Coast.
• They are continuous and can be crossed through passes only.
• The Western Ghats’ average elevation is 900 – 1600 metres.
• The Western Ghats cause orographic rain by facing the rain-bearing moist winds to rise along the western slopes of the Ghats.
• The height of the Western Ghats progressively increases from north to south.

The Eastern Ghats

• Lies parallel to the Eastern Coast.
• They are discontinuous and irregular.
• The Eastern Ghats are dissected by rivers flowing into the Bay of Bengal.
• The Eastern Ghats average elevation is 600 metres.

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

Contrast the relief of Himalayan region and Peninsular Plateau

Geologically, the Peninsular Plateau constitutes one of the ancient landmasses on the earth’s surface. It was supposed to be one of the most stable land blocks. The Himalayas are the most recent landforms. From the viewpoint of geology, Himalayan mountains form an unstable zone. The whole mountain system of Himalaya represents a very youthful topography with high peaks, deep valleys and fast-flowing rivers. The northern plains are formed of alluvial deposits. The peninsular plateau is composed of igneous and metamorphic rocks with gently rising hills and wide valleys.

5. Give an account of the Northern Plains of India.

The Northern Plains are the most recent landforms. The northern plains are formed of alluvial deposits. The northern plain has been formed by the interplay of the three major river systems, namely — the Indus, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra, along with their tributaries. This plain is formed of alluvial soil. The deposition of alluvium in a vast basin lying at the foothills of the Himalaya over millions of years formed this fertile plain. It spreads over an area of 7 lakh sq. km. The plain being about 2400 km long and 240 to 320 km broad, is a densely populated physiographic division. With a rich soil cover combined with an adequate water supply and favourable climate, it is agriculturally a productive part of India. The Northern Plain is broadly divided into three sections. The Western part of the Northern Plain is referred to as the Punjab Plains. Formed by the Indus and its tributaries, the larger part of this plain lies in Pakistan. The Indus and its tributaries — the Jhelum, the Chenab, the Ravi, the Beas and the Satluj all originate in the Himalaya. This section of the plain is dominated by the doabs. The Ganga plain extends between Ghaggar and Teesta rivers. It is spread over the northern states of Haryana, Delhi, U.P., Bihar and partly Jharkhand. The Ganga plains also extend towards Bengal to it’s east. Further east, in Assam lies the Brahmaputra plain. The northern plains are generally described as flatlands with no variations in their relief. However, this is not exactly true. These vast plains also have diverse relief features. According to the variations in relief features, the Northern plains can be divided into four regions. The rivers, after descending from the mountains, deposit pebbles in a narrow belt of about 8 to 16 km in width lying parallel to the slopes of the Shiwaliks. This region is known as bhabar. All the streams disappear in this bhabar belt. South of this belt, the streams and rivers re-emerge and create a wet, swampy and marshy region known as terai. This was once a thickly forested region, full of wildlife.

6. Write short notes on the following.

(i) The Indian Desert

The Indian desert lies towards the western margins of the Aravali Hills. It is an undulating sandy plain covered with sand dunes. This region receives very low rainfall. The average rainfall is below 150 mm per year. It has an arid climate with low vegetation cover. Streams appear during the rainy season. Soon after they disappear into the sand as they do not have enough water to reach the sea. Luni is the only large river in this region.

(ii) The Central Highlands

Central Highlands and the Deccan Plateau. The part of the Peninsular plateau lying to the north of the Narmada river, covering a major area of the Malwa plateau, is known as the Central Highlands. The Central Highlands are wider in the west but narrower in the east. The eastward extensions of this plateau are locally known as the Bundelkhand and Baghelkhand. The Chotanagpur plateau marks the further eastward extension, drained by the Damodar river.

(iii) The Island groups of India

Lakshadweep Islands

The Lakshadweep group of islands is composed of small coral islands. Earlier they were known as Laccadive, Minicoy and Amindive. In 1973, these were re-named as Lakshadweep. It covers a small area of 32 sq km. The Kavaratti Island is the administrative headquarters of Lakshadweep. This island group has a great diversity of flora and fauna. The Pitti island, which is uninhabited, has a bird sanctuary.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The elongated chain of islands located in the Bay of Bengal extends from north to south. These are the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. They are bigger in size and are more numerous and scattered. The entire group of islands is divided into two broad categories – The Andaman in the north and the Nicobar in the south. It is believed that these islands are an elevated portion of submarine mountains. These island groups are of great strategic importance for the country. There is a great diversity of flora and fauna in this group of islands too. These islands lie close to the equator and experience an equatorial climate, and have thick forest cover.

Due to the physical features of India being so diverse, there is a need to revise and test your knowledge as well! Thus, these are a few questions which you could practice:

• Which is the most fertile part of the northern plains?
• Which part of the Himalayas lies between Indus and Satluj?
• Where does the Brahmaputra plain lie?
• Where is Lake Chilika located?
• The Malabar coast is also referred to: _________
• What is the outermost range of the Himalayas called?
• Which is the highest peak of the Western Ghats.
• The Nicobar lie in the:
• What does the core of the Himadri consist of?
• The Jhelum is a tributary of: ___________
• Punjab Himalayas
• The state of Assam
• Eastern Coast
• Southern Stretch

📌   Explore Class 7 Geography Notes

The 6 physical features of India are mentioned below. The Himalayan mountains. Indian Desert. The Northern Plains. Peninsular plateau. Coastal Plains. Islands.

The Indus, the Brahmaputra, and the Ganga are the three major rivers of the northern plain.

Shiwalik is the outermost range of the Himalayas.

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10 comments

Thanks Pranjal

This notes is very important for me Thanks

Happy to help!

thanks for reading. Also, check: India Size and Location

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed our blog

My thoughts is like It is so helpful Tqqq 😇

Is natural vegetation there too

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What countries border India?

India shares borders with Pakistan to the northwest; with Nepal, China, and Bhutan to the north; and with Myanmar and Bangladesh to the east. The island country of Sri Lanka is situated some 40 miles (65 kilometres) off the southeast coast of India.

The expansive alluvial plains of the Indus and Ganges (Ganga) river basins in India provided the environment and focus for the rise of two great phases of city life: the civilization of the Indus valley, known as the Indus civilization, during the 3rd millennium BCE; and, during the 1st millennium BCE, that of the Ganges.

The major secular holidays are Independence Day (August 15) and Republic Day (January 26). The most popular religious festivals celebrated over the greater part of India are Vasantpanchami, in honour of Sarasvati, the goddess of learning; Holi, a time when traditional hierarchical relationships are forgotten and celebrants throw coloured water and powder at one another; Dussehra, when the story of the Ramayana is reenacted, and Diwali (Divali), a time for lighting lamps and exchanging gifts.

India , country that occupies the greater part of South Asia . It is made up of 28 states and eight union territories , and its national capital is New Delhi , built in the 20th century just south of the historic hub of Old Delhi to serve as India’s administrative center. Its government is a constitutional republic that represents a highly diverse population consisting of thousands of ethnic groups and hundreds of languages. India became the world’s most populous country in 2023, according to estimates by the United Nations .

It is known from archaeological evidence that a highly sophisticated urbanized culture—the Indus civilization —dominated the northwestern part of the subcontinent from about 2600 to 2000 bce . From that period on, India functioned as a virtually self-contained political and cultural arena, which gave rise to a distinctive tradition that was associated primarily with Hinduism , the roots of which possibly can be traced to the Indus civilization. Other religions, notably Buddhism and Jainism , originated in India—though their presence there is now quite small—and throughout the centuries residents of the subcontinent developed a rich intellectual life in such fields as mathematics, astronomy, architecture, literature, music, and the fine arts.

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Throughout its history, India was intermittently disturbed by incursions from beyond its northern mountain wall. Especially important was the coming of Islam , brought from the northwest by Arab, Turkish, Persian, and other raiders beginning early in the 8th century ce . Eventually, some of those raiders stayed; by the 13th century much of the subcontinent was under Muslim rule, and the number of Muslims steadily increased. Only after the arrival of the Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama in 1498 and the subsequent establishment of European maritime supremacy in the region did India become exposed to major external influences arriving by sea, a process that culminated in the decline of the ruling Muslim elite and absorption of the subcontinent within the British Empire .

Direct administration by the British, which began in 1858, effected a political and economic unification of the subcontinent. When British rule came to an end on August 14-15, 1947, celebrated annually as Independence Day , the subcontinent was partitioned along religious lines into two separate countries—India, with a majority of Hindus, and Pakistan , with a majority of Muslims; the eastern portion of Pakistan later split off to form Bangladesh . Many British institutions stayed in place (such as the parliamentary system of government); English continued to be a widely used lingua franca; and India remained within the Commonwealth . Hindi became the official language (and a number of other local languages achieved official status), while a vibrant English-language intelligentsia thrived .

India remains one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world. Apart from its many religions and sects, India is home to innumerable castes and tribes, as well as to more than a dozen major and hundreds of minor linguistic groups from several language families unrelated to one another. Religious minorities, including Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Jains, still account for a significant proportion of the population. Earnest attempts have been made to instill a spirit of nationhood in so varied a population, but tensions between neighboring groups have remained and at times have resulted in outbreaks of violence. Yet social legislation has done much to alleviate the disabilities previously suffered by formerly “ untouchable ” castes, tribal populations, women, and other traditionally disadvantaged segments of society. At independence, India was blessed with several leaders of world stature, most notably Mohandas Karamchand (Mahatma) Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru , who were able to galvanize the masses at home and bring prestige to India abroad. The country has played an increasing role in global affairs.

Contemporary India’s increasing physical prosperity and cultural dynamism—despite continued domestic challenges and economic inequality—are seen in its well-developed infrastructure and a highly diversified industrial base, in its pool of scientific and engineering personnel (one of the largest in the world), in the pace of its agricultural expansion, and in its rich and vibrant cultural exports of music, literature, and cinema. Though the country’s population remains largely rural, India has three of the most populous and cosmopolitan cities in the world— Mumbai (Bombay), Kolkata (Calcutta), and Delhi . Three other Indian cities— Bengaluru (Bangalore), Chennai (Madras), and Hyderabad —are among the world’s fastest-growing high-technology centers, and most of the world’s major information technology and software companies now have offices in India.

The history section of the articles Pakistan and Bangladesh discuss those countries since their creation.

India’s frontier, which is roughly one-third coastline, abuts six countries. It is bounded to the northwest by Pakistan , to the north by Nepal , China , and Bhutan ; and to the east by Myanmar (Burma). Bangladesh to the east is surrounded by India to the north, east, and west. The island country of Sri Lanka is situated some 40 miles (65 km) off the southeast coast of India across the Palk Strait and Gulf of Mannar .

The land of India—together with Bangladesh and most of Pakistan—forms a well-defined subcontinent, set off from the rest of Asia by the imposing northern mountain rampart of the Himalayas and by adjoining mountain ranges to the west and east. In area, India ranks as the seventh largest country in the world.

Much of India’s territory lies within a large peninsula, surrounded by the Arabian Sea to the west and the Bay of Bengal to the east; Cape Comorin (Kanniyakumari), the southernmost point of the Indian mainland, marks the dividing line between those two bodies of water. India has two union territories composed entirely of islands: Lakshadweep , in the Arabian Sea, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands , which lie between the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea .

It is now generally accepted that India’s geographic position, continental outline, and basic geologic structure resulted from a process of plate tectonics —the shifting of enormous, rigid crustal plates over the Earth’s underlying layer of molten material. India’s landmass, which forms the northwestern portion of the Indian-Australian Plate , began to drift slowly northward toward the much larger Eurasian Plate several hundred million years ago (after the former broke away from the ancient southern-hemispheric supercontinent known as Gondwana , or Gondwanaland). When the two finally collided (approximately 50 million years ago), the northern edge of the Indian-Australian Plate was thrust under the Eurasian Plate at a low angle. The collision reduced the speed of the oncoming plate, but the underthrusting, or subduction, of the plate has continued into contemporary times.

The effects of the collision and continued subduction are numerous and extremely complicated. An important consequence, however, was the slicing off of crustal rock from the top of the underthrusting plate. Those slices were thrown back onto the northern edge of the Indian landmass and came to form much of the Himalayan mountain system. The new mountains—together with vast amounts of sediment eroded from them—were so heavy that the Indian-Australian Plate just south of the range was forced downward, creating a zone of crustal subsidence. Continued rapid erosion of the Himalayas added to the sediment accumulation, which was subsequently carried by mountain streams to fill the subsidence zone and cause it to sink more.

India’s present-day relief features have been superimposed on three basic structural units: the Himalayas in the north, the Deccan (peninsular plateau region) in the south, and the Indo-Gangetic Plain (lying over the subsidence zone) between the two. Further information on the geology of India is found in the article Asia .

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Essay on the physical features of india.

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Essay on the Physical Features of India!

Physical Feature # 1. Peninsular Region:

One of the oldest land-units of the world, the peninsular region perhaps was formed in the pre-Cambrian period. In the north, the Aravalli mountain range separates the peninsular region from the Great Indian Plains.

On the other sides, a narrow strip of eastern and western coast separates it from the oceans. The entire peninsula is com­posed of ancient rocks — granite and gneisses. Several important mountain ranges are located within the peninsular region.

1. Vindhya mountains and Satpura range,

2. Western Ghats,

3. Aravalli mountain, and

4. Eastern Ghats.

Physiographically, this area may be sub-divided into three broad regions:

1. Central Highland;

2. Peninsular Plateau;

3. Coastal Plain.

The Central Highland is one of the oldest land-mass in India.

Its major physiographic micro-units are:

(a) Aravalli range,

(b) Rajasthan upland,

(c) Bundelkhand upland,

(d) Madhya Bharat upland.

The Peninsular Plateau may again be sub-divided into a number of units, namely:

(a) Western hills,

(b) Deccan plateau,

(c) Eastern plateau,

(d) Nilgiris.

This Deccan Plateau region is a remarkable physiographic unit composed of old lava. For the step-like aspect of this lava structure, it is known as Deccan Trap. The coastal plains of peninsular region are narrow and elongated from north to south. At places it extends about 400 kms in east-west direction. Compared to the west coast, the east coast is wider.

Physical Feature # 2. Extra-Peninsular Region:

The great Himalaya demarcates the northern boundary of India and separates India from its neighbouring countries — Afghanistan, Pakistan, Myanmar and China. Unlike the peninsula which is very old, the extra-peninsula region is perhaps one of the youngest region.

It may be regarded as a weak and geologically active region, which is even today facing severe folding, crumpling, faulting and rupture. The entire region had under­gone tremendous structural changes, which ultimately resulted in complex folds, faults, napes, over-thrusts etc.

Geotectonic changes in this mountain is still going on. According to experts, the Himalayan mountains are still rising attitudinally. A massive force which originated from further north caused the crumpling up of sediments accumulated in the vast geosynclines formed as shal­low epicontinental sea, popularly known as ‘Tethys’.

Despite critical study by several geolo­gists, most of the areas are yet to be explored fully due to the inaccessible nature of the terrain. High altitude, dissected nature of the terrain and deep gorges are the basic characteristics of this mountain. Perhaps there were five phases of Himalayan upliftment in different periods — Cretaceous, Eocene, Miocene, Pliocene and Pleistocene.

According to Prof. Sidney Burrand, the Himalayan region may be divided into three broad transverse divisions.

From west to east these are:

1. Western Himalaya, extending from Indus to the Kali, 880 kms long.

2. The Central Himalaya or Nepal Himalaya, stretching from river Kali to river Tista, 800 kms.

3. The Eastern Himalayas, running from Singalila to the Brahmaputra, 725 kms long.

The Indian Himalayas, that is the western and eastern Himalaya, are again sub-divided into several sub-regions:

1. Western Himalaya:

(a) North-Kashmir Himalaya,

(b) South-Kashmir Himalaya,

(c) Punjab Himalaya,

(d) Kumayun Himalaya.

2. Eastern Himalaya:

(a) Sikkim Himalaya,

(b) Darjeeling Himalaya,

(c) Bhutan Himalaya,

(d) Assam Himalaya.

From south to north, the Himalayan Mountain is again divided into three longitudinal divisions.

1. The Siwalik:

This is basically the foothills of Himalaya. South to north it is only 10-50 kms wide. Height is considerably lower than the other Himalayan regions.

2. The Himachal Himalaya:

Width varies between 60-80 kms. Altitude is greater than 3,000.

3. The Himadri or Great Himalaya:

Highest altitudes is visible among the Himalayan divisions.

Geo-Economic Importance of Himalaya :

1. The great Himalayan mountain extends from east to west, like an arc of a circle, pro­tecting the Indian interior region from the hostile extreme climates of the north. This mountain helps immensely to maintain moderate climatic condition in the Indian interior, throughout the year.

2. During the severe summer, when entire India experience sultry, hot weather, the Himalayan region remains cool due to high altitude. Innumerable rivers and rivulets debouches from the snow-melt glaciers of this mountain. The south-west monsoon is prohibited by Himalaya in its further north-bound journey.

This obstruction creates heavy precipitation in the southern slope of this mountain. In fact, the monsoonal rainfall is entirely dependent on the presence of Himalaya. On the other hand, during winter, this mountain range protects India from the chilly wind from further north.

3. As Himalaya is mostly composed of younger rocks, its intensity of soil erosion is higher compared to other regions. This soil erosion facilitates the rivers to deposit substantial amount of sediments in its lower course. This water-borne sediments are highly fertile and helps im­mensely to improve agricultural productivity within the northern Great Plain.

4. Most of the Himalayan Rivers are not navigable, but the velocity of the rivers help immensely in producing hydro-electricity.

5. The vast forest resources of the Himalayas provide ample valuable woods and logs.

6. Livestock ranching is another economic activity in Himalaya, providing occupation to a sizable section of the people.

7. Himalaya is richly endowed with mineral resources — coal, copper, limestone and gyp­sum. Reserves of these minerals are considerable but their exploitation is very difficult.

8. The southern slope of Himalaya is famous for the cultivation of fruits and tea planta­tion. Fruit production in the Western part and tea plantation in the eastern part are predomi­nant economic activity.

9. The Himalaya is a favourite of the tourists. Several field resorts, medical centres and educational institutions have grown in the last few decades. Himalayan tourism pays a sizable revenue to the national exchequer.

Physical Feature # 3. The Great Indian Plains :

A vast monotonous flat land, situated between the Peninsular and Extra-Peninsular re­gion, is the great Indian plain. Undoubtedly, considering fertility of the soil, number of popu­lation and volume of agricultural product, this region may be considered as the heart-land of the Indian sub-continent. Total area of this region is greater than 59, 50,000 sq kms.

It is difficult to delineate exactly the boundaries of this region. But roughly, the eastern limit of the Thar Desert may be taken as its western boundary, while the Bay of Bengal is the eastern limit. This great Indian plain comprises of parts of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, North Bihar, Assam and West Bengal.

The area is drained by numerous major rivers, with their tributaries and distributaries. Some of the rivers — the Ganga, the Brahmaputra and Indus are debouching from the mighty Himalaya. So, due to presence of snow-melted water throughout the year, fluvial activity predominates in the formation of land.

The great Indian plains were formed even after the formation of Himalaya. Perhaps infilling of sediments started from Pleistocene to middle Tertiary period. Former ‘Rift Valley Theory’ tried to explain the origin of this plain.

A massive rift valley, as suggested by some noted geologists, after renewed sediment accumulation transformed into the present great plain. But this old theory is now discarded. Instead, almost all the geological schools of thought now believe that in the past a big geo-synclinal trough was in existence in place of the great plain. Massive accumulation of sediments transformed it into its present state.

Due to emergence of a massive pile of rocks in the Himalaya, to maintain iso-static adjustment, great subsidence occurred in adjacent parts of the Indian plain. As the entire plain was formed by river-borne alluvium, below the crust of the Ganga plain thickness of sediments are massive.

The longitudinal distance of this plain exceeds 2,550 kms from west to east and transverse length varies between 250 to 300 km from south to north. In its farthest point the length ex­ceeds 297 km from north to south. General slope of the region is one of the lowest in India. After crossing 2,500 km from east to west elevation increases only 220 metres. The entire region is monotonously flat with little or no physiographic variation. Only in patches some isolated rocky erosional remnants are visible in the transition zone of plateau and plain.

Though it is indeed very difficult to ascertain the variation of sediments, considering the period, nature and composition, sediments may be subdivided into several types:

Different types of sediments are intermingled with each other. Grain size of the sediments are also dissimilar. These type of sediments are frequently found in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana. In the northern extremity, even pebbles are familiar. After debouching from the mountain, these pebbles are de­posited by streams according to their size.

Just from the southern edge of the mountain region, Terai region begins. This is a very small zone, entirely covered by marshy low land. Due to inundation in regular intervals, the Terai region became unhygienic for human settlement.

3. Bhanger:

Composed of comparatively matured alluvium. This type of sediments are visible mostly in the higher levee areas.

4. Khaddar:

In local terminology, Khaddar is the region composed of comparatively newer sediments. Entire Great Indian plain region can be sub-divided into several types. The demarcating lines of these types are often complex and not clear. Owing to this complex and arbitrary boundary lines, one region is often superimposed with other region.

Major divisions of Indian plains are:

1. The Punjab-Haryana Plain:

Vast plains of Indus and its five tributaries start from east of Aravalli range. Almost all of Punjab and Haryana states are located within this region.

2. The Western Plain:

This semi-arid tract of Rajasthan is, in the sense, a transition between Thar Desert and plains situated in the west.

3. The Ganga Plain:

This region is demarcated by Himalaya in the north and pe­ninsula plateau in the south. Aravalli mountain range borders its western limit while Bangladesh may be taken as its eastern boundary. The entire Ganga plain is an absolutely flat, featureless plain.

Terrain is composed of flat alluvium with very rare agglomeration of gravel and conglomerates. This great plain covering an area of 700,000 sq km are again subdivided into three sub-divisions, namely — upper, mid­dle and lower Ganga plain. Major drainage system in this area is, of course, the Ganga. With several tributaries and crisscrossing distributaries, the area became one of the best drained areas in the world.

4. The Brahmaputra Plain:

In Assam, Brahmaputra flows from Sadia to Dhubri. Along the two banks of meandering Brahmaputra, one of the best fertile lands in the world has evolved.

Physical Feature # 4. Coastal Plains of India:

In both the eastern and western side of the peninsula, an elongated strip of plain land has evolved due to marine action. Despite its very narrow width, these two plains always played, economically and historically, dominant role in Indian civilization.

I. Eastern Coast :

This is an uninterrupted coast-line along the eastern margin of the Indian sub-continent. Originating from the Kanyakumari in the southernmost point, this coast ends near Subarnarekha River in the north. Entire eastern coast is composed of rich fertile alluvium. Fluvial activities of five rivers, i.e. Cauvery, Penner, Godavari, Mahanadi and Subarnarekha, and deposition of an enormous amount of alluvium formed the vast river plains. Marine activities produced spits, lagoons, off-shore bars etc.

According to the political demarcation line of the states, this plain is also divided into three zones:

1. Tamil Nadu Plain:

Southern most part of the coast which is moderately popu­lated. In its widest area, the plain extends up to 250 km.

2. Andhra Plain:

This plain was primarily formed by the depositional activities of the rivers Godavari and Krishna.

3. Utkal Plain:

Combined action of the rivers Mahanadi and Katjuri and several other tributaries were liable for the formation of the region. This region is very prosperous in agriculture due to the presence of vast fertile lands.

II. Western Coast :

Compared to the eastern coast, the western coast is narrower and discontinuous. In some isolated patches, even Western Ghats interrupts formation of the plain. Like the eastern coast, this plain also stretches from Kanyakumari.

Gujarat, particularly Rann of Kutch, may be taken as its northern limit. Unlike the eastern coast, which has many river deltas, the western coast is practically devoid of large deltas. Only Tapti and Narmada flows within this coastal tract.

South to north, the eastern coast can be subdivided into the following divisions:

1. Kerala coast:

Densely populated Kerala coast is one of the best developed coast­lines.

2. Karnataka coast:

From Kerala coast, here coastal character markedly changes due to the presence of rocky outcrops and lateritic formation.

3. Konkan coast:

Here rocky, bare surface, with occasional hills, are frequent. Width of the coast is very narrow.

4. Gujarat Plain:

Depositional activities of the rivers Banas, Savarmati, Mahi and now disappeared Saraswati were predominant. Due to less precipitation and in­tense Aeolian activities, semi-arid condition prevails in some parts of this region.

Geo-Economic Significance of Coastal Plains :

1. Coastal plains, both eastern and western, were regarded as a seat for learning and site of civilization from proto-historic period. A number of dynasties, dialects, and cultures had evolved in successive periods.

2. Regarding agriculture, the coastal strips always played a vital role in supplying food and fodder to the inhabitants of adjacent territories.

3. Since time immemorial, cities like Ahmedabad, Surat, Jamnagar, Satara, Coimbatore, Calicut, Ernakulum in the west coast and Madura, Madras, Vijayawada, Vishakhapatnam in the east coast played vital roles in trading and commercial activities.

4. Other forms of economic activity are also well-developed in the coastal areas. Fishing and cottage industry are well-developed in the tiny coastal hamlets and villages.

Related Articles:

• The Main Physiographic Divisions of India | Geography
• 5 Types of Landforms under which India can be divided on the Basis of Major Relief Factors

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• NCERT Solutions
• NCERT Class 9
• NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Social Science
• Class 9 Geography
• Chapter 2 Physical Features Of India

NCERT Solutions For Class 9 Geography Social Science Chapter 2: Physical Features of India

Ncert solutions for class 9 geography chapter 2 physical features of india – cbse free pdf download.

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Geography Chapter 2 Physical Features of India contains the answers to the exercises at the end of the chapter. The questions in the exercise are mainly related to the physiographic divisions of India, such as the Himalayan Mountains, the Northern Plains, the Peninsular Plateau, the Indian Desert, the Coastal Plains and the Islands. The NCERT Solutions are easy to understand and accurate, which will align school students’ preparation as per the questions asked in the CBSE examinations.

• Chapter 1 India Size and Location
• Chapter 2 Physical Features of India
• Chapter 3 Drainage
• Chapter 4 Climate
• Chapter 5 Natural Vegetation and Wildlife
• Chapter 6 Population

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NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Social Studies (Geography) Chapter 2 – Physical Features of India

The solutions for Chapter 2 of Geography are given below. Students can also check NCERT Solutions for Class 9 for other subjects.

Exercise Page No 15

1. Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below.

(i) A landmass bounded by the sea on three sides is referred to as

(c) Peninsula

(d) None of the above

Answer: (c)

(ii) Mountain ranges in the eastern part of India forming its boundary with Myanmar are collectively called

(a) Himachal

(b) Uttarakhand

(c) Purvachal

(iii) The western coastal strip, south of Goa is referred to as

(a) Coromandel

(d) Northern Circar

(iv) The highest peak in the Eastern Ghats is

(a) Anai Mudi

(b) Kanchenjunga

(c) Mahendragiri

2. Answer the following questions briefly.

(i) What is the bhabar?

The northern plains are generally described as flatlands, with no variations in their relief. However, that is not true. These vast plains also have diverse relief features. According to the variations in relief features, the northern plains can be divided into four regions. The rivers, after descending from the mountains, deposit pebbles in a narrow belt of about 8 to 16 km in width lying parallel to the slopes of the Shiwaliks. This region is known as bhabar.

(ii) Name the three major divisions of the Himalayas from north to south.

• The northernmost range is known as The Great or Inner Himalayas or Himadri.
• Himachal or Lesser Himalaya.
• Outer Himalayas or Shiwaliks.

(iii) Which plateau lies between the Aravali and the Vindhya ranges?

The Malwa plateau lies between Aravali and Vindhya ranges.

(iv) Name the island group of India having a coral origin.

The Lakshadweep Islands is the island group of India having a coral origin.

3. Distinguish between

(i) Bhangar and Khadar

• Lies above flood plains of the river.
• Older alluvium or old soil and forms the largest part of the northern plains.
• It is a newer, younger deposit of flood plains. It is renewed every year.

(ii) the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats

The Western Ghats

• Lie parallel to the Western Coast.
• They are continuous and can be crossed through passes only.
• The Western Ghats’ average elevation is 900 – 1600 metres.
• The Western Ghats cause orographic rain by facing the rain-bearing moist winds to rise along the western slopes of the Ghats.
• The height of the Western Ghats progressively increases from north to south.

The Eastern Ghats

• Lies parallel to the Eastern Coast.
• They are discontinuous and irregular.
• The Eastern Ghats are dissected by rivers flowing into the Bay of Bengal.
• The Eastern Ghats average elevation is 600 metres.

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

• The Himalayan Mountains
• The Northern Plains
• The Peninsular Plateau
• The Indian Desert
• The Coastal Plains
• The Islands

Contrast the relief of Himalayan region and Peninsular Plateau

Geologically, the Peninsular Plateau constitutes one of the ancient landmasses on the earth’s surface. It was supposed to be one of the most stable land blocks. The Himalayas are the most recent landforms. From the viewpoint of geology, Himalayan mountains form an unstable zone. The whole mountain system of Himalaya represents a very youthful topography with high peaks, deep valleys and fast-flowing rivers. The northern plains are formed of alluvial deposits. The peninsular plateau is composed of igneous and metamorphic rocks with gently rising hills and wide valleys.

5. Give an account of the Northern Plains of India.

The Northern Plains are the most recent landforms. The northern plains are formed of alluvial deposits. The northern plain has been formed by the interplay of the three major river systems, namely — the Indus, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra, along with their tributaries. This plain is formed of alluvial soil. The deposition of alluvium in a vast basin lying at the foothills of the Himalaya over millions of years formed this fertile plain. It spreads over an area of 7 lakh sq. km. The plain being about 2400 km long and 240 to 320 km broad, is a densely populated physiographic division. With a rich soil cover combined with an adequate water supply and favourable climate, it is agriculturally a productive part of India. The Northern Plain is broadly divided into three sections. The Western part of the Northern Plain is referred to as the Punjab Plains. Formed by the Indus and its tributaries, the larger part of this plain lies in Pakistan. The Indus and its tributaries — the Jhelum, the Chenab, the Ravi, the Beas and the Satluj all originate in the Himalaya. This section of the plain is dominated by the doabs. The Ganga plain extends between Ghaggar and Teesta rivers. It is spread over the northern states of Haryana, Delhi, U.P., Bihar and partly Jharkhand. The Ganga plains also extend towards Bengal to it’s east. Further east, in Assam lies the Brahmaputra plain. The northern plains are generally described as flatlands with no variations in their relief. However, this is not exactly true. These vast plains also have diverse relief features. According to the variations in relief features, the Northern plains can be divided into four regions. The rivers, after descending from the mountains, deposit pebbles in a narrow belt of about 8 to 16 km in width lying parallel to the slopes of the Shiwaliks. This region is known as bhabar. All the streams disappear in this bhabar belt. South of this belt, the streams and rivers re-emerge and create a wet, swampy and marshy region known as terai. This was once a thickly forested region, full of wildlife.

6. Write short notes on the following.

(i) The Indian Desert

The Indian desert lies towards the western margins of the Aravali Hills. It is an undulating sandy plain covered with sand dunes. This region receives very low rainfall. The average rainfall is below 150 mm per year. It has an arid climate with low vegetation cover. Streams appear during the rainy season. Soon after they disappear into the sand as they do not have enough water to reach the sea. Luni is the only large river in this region.

(ii) The Central Highlands

Central Highlands and the Deccan Plateau. The part of the Peninsular plateau lying to the north of the Narmada river, covering a major area of the Malwa plateau, is known as the Central Highlands. The Central Highlands are wider in the west but narrower in the east. The eastward extensions of this plateau are locally known as the Bundelkhand and Baghelkhand. The Chotanagpur plateau marks the further eastward extension, drained by the Damodar river.

(iii) The Island groups of India

Lakshadweep Islands

The Lakshadweep group of islands is composed of small coral islands. Earlier they were known as Laccadive, Minicoy and Amindive. In 1973, these were re-named as Lakshadweep. It covers a small area of 32 sq km. The Kavaratti Island is the administrative headquarters of Lakshadweep. This island group has a great diversity of flora and fauna. The Pitti island, which is uninhabited, has a bird sanctuary.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The elongated chain of islands located in the Bay of Bengal extending from north to south. These are the Andaman and Nicobar islands. They are bigger in size and are more numerous and scattered. The entire group of islands is divided into two broad categories – The Andaman in the north and the Nicobar in the south. It is believed that these islands are an elevated portion of submarine mountains. These island groups are of great strategic importance for the country. There is a great diversity of flora and fauna in this group of islands too. These islands lie close to the equator and experience equatorial climate, and have thick forest cover.

Physical Features of India Summary

NCERT Geography Class 9 , Chapter 2 – Physical Features of India discusses the major physical features of the country, which includes land, plateau, mountains, deserts and islands. The major physiographic divisions of India have been discussed in detail. These include:

• The islands

The above-mentioned major geographical divisions and their features have been discussed in detail in this chapter. This chapter will help students understand India in terms of its geographical locations and their longitudinal and latitudinal extent on the world map.

Apart from this chapter, the full set of NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Social Science is also provided for students preparation.

Frequently Asked Questions on NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Geography Chapter 2

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