Physical Features of India
Physical Features of India
Physical Features of India
CONCEPTS
Location
z India has all major physical features of the Earth, i.e. mountains, plains, deserts, plateaus and
islands.
z In India the soil colour varies from place to place as it is formed from different types of rocks.
z India has varied physical features whose formation can be explained on the basis of the
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‘Theory of Plate Tectonics’.
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z According to the theory of Plate Tectonics the seven major and minor plates that form the
Earth’s crust keep moving, causing stress and thus leading to folding, faulting and volcanic
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activity.
z The physical features of India can be grouped under the following physiographic divisions :
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(i) The Himalayan Mountains.
(ii) The Northern Plains PR
(iii) The Peninsular Plateau
(iv) The Indian Desert
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z The Himalayas are young-fold mountains which are the loftiest and one of the most rugged
mountain barriers of the world.
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z The Himalayas are 2400 km long, 400 km to 150 km wide from Kashmir to Arunachal
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Pradesh respectively.
z The Himalayas have three parallel ranges in the longitudinal extent namely :
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— Terai — lying next to Bhabar, a wet and marshy area with wildlife and forests.
— Bangar — Older alluvium plain which rises above the level of the flood plains.
— Khadar — Younger alluvium of the flood plains.
The Peninsular Plateau
z The Peninsular Plateau is the tableland formed due to the breaking and drifting of the
Gondwanaland.
z The plateau consists of two broad divisions, namely, the Central Highlands and the Deccan
Plateau.
z The eastward extensions of Peninsular Plateau are locally known as Bundelkhand and
Baghelkhand. The Chhota Nagpur Plateau marks the further eastward extension drained by
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the Damodar river.
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z The Deccan Plateau, a triangular mass, lies to the south of the river Narmada.
z The western and eastern edges of the Deccan Plateau are marked by the Western Ghats and
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the Eastern Ghats respectively.
z The Western Ghats are higher than the Eastern Ghats.
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z A distinct feature of the peninsular plateau is the black soil area known as Deccan Trap.
z On the west the coastal strips are divided into Konkan (Mumbai-Goa), Kannad Plain and the
Malabar coast from northern to southern part.
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z On the east the coastal strip is divided into Northern Circars and the Coromandal Coast from
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z The Lakshadweep Islands were formerly known as Laccadive, Minicoy and Amindive.
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z The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are an elongated chain of islands located in the Bay of
Bengal.
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z The Andamans and Nicobar Islands are an elevated portion of submarine mountains.
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I. SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
A. NCERT TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS
Questions within the Lesson
Q.1. Find out the names of the glaciers and passes that lie in Great Himalayas. (Page 11)
Ans. Glaciers in the Great Himalayas — Gangotri, Chaturangi, Bhagirathi, Kharak, Satopanth,
Kamet, Milam and Pindari.
Passes in the Great Himalayas — Karakoram pass, Shipkila pass, Nathula, Bomdila pass.
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Q.2. Find out the name of the states where highest peaks are located. (Page 11)
Ans. Mountain peaks States
Kanchenjunga Sikkim
Nanga Parbat Jammu and Kashmir
Nanda Devi Uttarakhand
Kamet Uttarakhand
Namcha Barwa Assam
Q.3. Find out location of Mussoorie, Nainital, Ranikhet from your atlas and also name the
states where they are located. (Page 11)
Ans. Mussoorie Uttarakhand
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Nainital Uttarakhand
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Ranikhet Uttarakhand
Questions in the Exercise
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Q.1. Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below :
(i) A landmass bounded by sea on three sides is referred to as
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(a) Coast (b) Island (c) Peninsula (d) None of the above.
Ans. Peninsula PR
(ii) Mountain ranges in the eastern part of India forming its boundaries with Myanmar
are collectively called :
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(a) Himachal (b) Uttaranchal (c) Purvanchal (d) None of the above.
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Ans. Purvanchal
(iii)The western coastal strip south of Goa is referred to as
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(ii) Which continents of today were part of the Gondwanaland? (CBSE - 2010)
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(c) Converging plates cause folds. (c) Diverging plates cause fractures
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in the crust.
(ii) Distinguish between Bangar and Khadar.
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Ans. Bangar Khadar
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(a) Formed of older alluvium (a) Renewed every year.
(b) Lies above flood plains of rivers. (b) Is newer, younger deposit of flood
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(c) Presents a terrace like feature. (c) Contains calcerous deposits locally
known as Kankar.
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(iii) Distinguish between the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats.
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can be crossed through passes only. They have been dissected by rivers
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Thal Ghat provides passage to rails which have made their passages to
and roads. reach the Bay of Bengal.
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(b) This range is a source of many large (b) No big river originates from this
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rivers. range.
(c) It obstructs the monsoon winds coming (c) They are almost parallel to the
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from the Arabian Sea which causes monsoons originating in the Bay
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Q.5. Which are the major physiographic divisions of India? Contrast the relief of the
Himalayan region with that of the Peninsular Plateau.
Ans. The major physiographic divisions of India are :
(i) The Great Mountains of the North. (ii) The North Indian Plain.
(iii) The Peninsular Plateau (iv) The Coastal Plains and
(v) The Islands.
Himalayan Region Peninsular Plateau
(a) This region comprises greatest and (a) Rugged and dissected terrain plateau is
highest mountain ranges a remnant portion of the supercontinent
of the world. the Gondwanaland.
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(b) The ranges have I-shaped (b) It has horsts, rift valleys and troughs.
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and U-shaped valleys.
(c) It is the origin of perennial rivers. (c) It has rainfed, seasonal rivers.
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(d) Young fold mountains made from the (d) Created from igneous and metamorphic
uplift of the strata formed by rocks after splitting of Gondwanaland.
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the sedimentary rocks.
(e) Parallelly arranged mountain (e) Rivers dissect. Faults and vertical
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ranges are separated by movement of the Earth mark the plateau.
valleys and plains.
Q.6. Give an account of the Northern Plains of India.
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Ans. The Northern Plains have been formed from the alluvium that the mountain rivers deposited
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here. This turned the soil on the surfaced land fertile for growing a rich harvest of variety of
crops. This led to the development of the Indus River Valley Civilisation. The rich soil was
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further aided by favourable climate and constant water supply from the rivers. Between the
mouths of the Indus and the Ganga-Brahmaputra, the North Indian Plain covers a distance of
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3200 km. It is 300 to 150 km wide at some places. The North Indian Plains have the Indus
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river system in the west and the Ganga-Brahmaputra river system in the east. The first includes
Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Satluj. The Indus flows into the Arabian Sea.
The second includes Ganga, its tributaries and the Brahmaputra which combine as Meghna as
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they drain into the Bay of Bengal. They form the world’s largest and fastest growing delta.
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The difference in relief has led the North Indian Plains to be divided into four zones :
(i) Bhabhar, (ii) Tarai, (iii) Bangar and (iv) Khadar.
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MAP SKILLS
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On an outline map of India show the following.
(i) Mountain and hill ranges — the Karakoram, the Zaskar, the Patkai Bum, the Jaintia, the
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Vindhya range, the Aravali, and the Cardamom hills.
(ii) Peaks — K2, Kanchenjunga, Nanga parbat and the Anai Mudi.
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(iii) Plateaus — Chhota Nagpur and Malwa
(iv) The Indian Desert, Western Ghats, Lakshadweep Islands.
Ans. PR
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OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS (AS PER CCE PATTERN)
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relief features?
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(a) Geological formations (b) Population density
(c) Weathering (d) Erosion and deposition
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Ans. (b)
Q.3. Which of the following is a plausible theory presented by Earth scientists to explain the
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formation of continents and oceans and the various landforms?
(a) Theory of Motion (b) Theory of Plate Tectonics
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(c) Theory of Evolution (d) Theory of Relativity
Ans. (b)
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Q.4. According to the ‘Theory of Plate Tectonics,’ the earth’s crust is formed of how many
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Ans. (c)
Q.5. According to the ‘Theory of Plate Tectonics,’ the movement of the plates result in some
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geological activity. Which one of the following is not such a geological activity?
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Q.6. According to the ‘Theory of Plate Tectonics,’ when some plates come towards each other,
which of the following is formed?
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Ans. (a)
Q.7. According to the ‘Theory of Plate Tectonics,’ when some plates move away from each
other, which of the following is formed?
(a) Convergent boundary (b) Divergent boundary
(c) Transform boundary (d) None of the above
Ans. (b)
Q.8. According to the ‘Theory of Plate Tectonics,’ in the event of two plates coming together,
which of the following is not possible?
(a) The plates may collide and crumble.
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(b) The plates may move horizontally past each other.
(c) The plates may form divergent boundary.
(d) One plate may slide under the other.
Ans. (c)
Q.9. According to the ‘Theory of Plate Tectonics,’ what have been the effects of the movement
of the plates?
(a) Change in position and size of continents.
(b) Formation of ocean basins.
(c) Evolution of the present landforms and relief of India.
(d) All of the above.
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Ans. (d)
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Q.10. A landmass bounded by sea on three sides is referred to as _______.
(a) Coast (b) Island
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(c) Peninsula (d) None of the above
Ans. (c)
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Q.11. Which of the following divisions of India has the oldest landmass?
(a) The Himalayas PR
(b) The Northern Plains
(c) The Peninsular Plateau (d) The Indian Desert
Ans. (c)
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Q.12. The Peninsular Plateau of India is part of which of the following landmass?
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Ans. (b)
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Q.13. Which of the following countries or continents was not a part of the ancient landmass of
Gondwanaland?
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Ans. (c)
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OR
Which continents of today were part of the Gondwanaland ? (CBSE 2010)
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Q.15. Which of the following physiographic divisions of India was formed out of accumulations
in the Tethys geosyncline? (Important)
(a) The Himalayas (b) The Northern Plains
(c) The Peninsular Plateau (d) The Indian Desert
Ans. (a)
Q.16. The Himalayan uplift out of the Tethys Sea and subsidence of the northern flank of the
peninsular plateau resulted in the formation of a large basin. Which of the following
physical divisions of India was formed due to filling up of this depression?(Important)
(a) The Himalayas (b) The Northern Plains
(c) The Peninsular Plateau (d) The Coastal Plains
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Ans. (b)
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Q.17. Geologically, which of the following physiographic divisions of India is supposed to be
one of the most stable land blocks?
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(a) The Himalayas (b) The Northern Plains
(c) The Peninsular Plateau (d) The Indian Desert
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Ans. (c)
Q.18. From the point of view of geology, which of the following physiographic divisions of India
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is considered to be an unstable zone?
(a) The Himalayan Mountains (b) The Peninsular Plateau
(c) The Indian Desert (d) The Islands
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Ans. (a)
Q.19. Which of the following are young-fold mountains? (V. Importnat)
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Ans. (c)
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Q.20. Which of the following physical features forms a natural barrier to the north of India?
(a) Kunlun Mountains (b) Plateau of Tibet
(c) River Brahamaputra (d) The Himalayas
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Ans. (d)
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Q.21. The Himalayas consist of three parallel ranges in its longitudinal extent. Which of the
following is the name of the northern-most range? (Important)
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Ans. (d)
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Q.27. In which division of the Himalayas are the famous valleys of Kashmir, Kangra and Kullu
located? (Important)
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(a) The Himadri (b) The Himachal
(c) The Shivaliks (d) The Duns
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Ans. (b)
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Q.28. Which of the following ranges of the Himalayas are composed of unconsolidated
sediments brought down by rivers?
(a) The Pir Panjal range (b) The Karakoram range
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Ans. (c)
Q.29. The longitudinal valleys lying between lesser Himalayas and Shivaliks are known
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as _______.
(a) Kangra Valley (b) Patkai Bum (c) Passes (d) Duns
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Ans. (d)
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Q.30. From west to east, the divisions of the Himalayas are demarcated by river valleys. The
part of the Himalayas lying between the Satluj and Kali rivers is known as ________.
(a) Punjab Himalayas (b) Kumaon Himalayas
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Ans. (b)
Q.31. Which two hills are located in the south-east of Eastern Ghats ? (CBSE 2010)
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(a) Mizo Hills and Naga Hills (b) Javadi Hills and Shevroy Hills
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(c) Patkoi Hills and Manipuri Hills (d) Mizo Hills and Patkoi Hills
Ans. (b)
Q.32. Which islands of India are called Coral Islands? [2010 (T-1)]
(a) Lakshdeep (b) Andman and Nikobar
(c) both (d) None of these
Ans. (a)
Q.33. A narrow gap in a mountain range providing access to the other side is : [2010 (T-1)]
(a) Mound (b) Pass (c) Strait (d) Valley
Ans. (b)
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Q.34. The wet and swampy belt of the Northern Region is known locally as : [2010 (T-1)]
(a) Bhabar (b) Terai (c) Doab (d) Bhangar
Ans. (b)
Q.35. Find the odd one out : [2010 (T-1)]
(a) Kanchenjunga (b) Nanga Parbat
(c) Namcha Barwa (d) Anai Mudi
Ans. (d)
Q.36. The largest delta in the world is : [2010 (T-1)]
(a) Ganga Delta (b) Mahanadi Delta
(c) Sunderban Delta (d) Godavari
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Ans. (c)
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C. SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (3 MARKS)
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Q.1. Describe the Theory of Plate Tectonics.
Ans. A plausible theory presented by earth scientists to explain the formation of continents and
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ocean basins and the various landforms is the ‘Theory of Plate Tectonics’. According to the
theory, the crust of the earth has been formed out of seven major and some minor tectonic
plates.
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According to the earth scientists, millions of years ago, the world comprised of a super-
continent ‘Pangaea’ surrounded by the primeval ocean ‘Panthalasa’. The present continents and
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intervening oceans were formed due to splitting of the crust into plates due to convection
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(Important)
Ans. Most volcanoes and earthquake zones in the world are located at plate margins.
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According to the ‘Theory of Plate Tectonics’ presented by earth scientists, the crust of the earth
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has been formed out of seven major and some minor plates.
The movement of these plates due to convection currents results in the building up of stresses
within the plates and continental rocks above. This leads to folding, faulting and volcanic
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activity along the zones of maximum stress, i.e., mostly along the margins of the plates.
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volcanoes and frequent earthquakes – lies along the margin of tectonic plates.
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Q.3. Name the different major physiographic divisions of India. Write a note on any one of
the physiographic divisions of India. (Important)
Ans. The major physiographic divisions of India are as follows :
(i) The Himalayan Mountains
(ii) The Northern Plains
(iii) The Peninsular Plateau
(iv) The Indian Desert
(v) The Coastal Plains
(vi) The Islands
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The Coastal Plains : The Peninsular Plateau of India is flanked by a stretch of narrow coastal
plains to its west and east. The Western Coastal Plain is a narrow strip of plain stretching along
the Arabian Sea lying to its west and flanked by the Western Ghats to its east. The northern
part of the West Coast is called the Konkan (Mumbai to Goa), the central stretch is called the
Kannad while the sourthern part is called the Malabar Coast.
The Eastern Coastal Plain is comparatively wide and level stretch running along the Bay of
Bengal lying to its east with the Eastern Ghats rising to its west. It is known as Northern Circar
in the north, while its southern part is referred to as the Coromandal Coast.
Q.4. How was the Great Northern Plains of India formed? Give a brief description.
Ans. The formation of the Himalayas due to upliftment of sediments out of the Tethys Sea and
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subsidence of the northern flank of the Peninsular Plateau resulted in the formation of a
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large basin.
Over millions of years this depression gradually got filled up with alluvium deposited by the
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three major river systems – the Indus, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra flowing from the
Himalayas in the north. Sediments were also deposited by the tributaries of these rivers
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rising from the mountains in the north as well as the Peninsular Plateau to its south. As a
result, the fertile Indo-Gangetic or Northern Plains, and the Brahmaputra Plain in the
northeast, were formed. PR
As the Himalayas gained in height, the rivers, glaciers and other agents of denudation
became increasingly active in erosion. As a result, large amount of silt got deposited in the
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shrinking Tethys.
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Q.5. Where are the Western and the Eastern Ghats situated? Write a small note on each.
Ans. The Western and the Eastern Ghats are situated in the Peninsular Plateau region. The Western
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Ghats mark the western edge of the Deccan Plateau and lie parallel to the Western Coast.
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The Eastern Ghats mark the eastern edge of the Deccan Plateau. They stretch from the
Mahanadi Valley to the Nilgiri Hills in the south. The eastern coastal plain runs to its east.
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The Western Ghats are continuous and regular and can be crossed only through passes like the
Thal, Bhor and the Pal Ghats. They are comparatively high in elevation (average 900 to 1600
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The Eastern Ghats are discontinuous and irregular. They are of relatively lower elevation
(average 600 m). They are dissected by rivers draining into the Bay of Bengal.
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Q.6. Write a note on the Indian desert describing its location and relief. (V. Important)
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Q.8. Which plateau lies between the Aravali and the Vindhya range? Write a brief note on this
plateau.
Ans. The Malwa Plateau lies between the Aravali hills and the Vindhya range. The Aravali hills lie
to the west of the plateau and the Vindhya range lies to its south.
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 Malwa plateau lies in Madhya Pradesh. It is composed of extensive lava flows. There are
rolling plains separated by flat-topped hills. The plateau is largely broken in form of ravines
near the Chambal Valley in its east.
Q.9. What do you understand by 'duns'? Where are they situated in our country? Give any
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two examples of duns. [2010 (T-1)]
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Ans. The longitudinal valleys lying between Lesser Himalaya and the Shivaliks are known as duns.
Dehradun and Kotli Dun are two examples of duns.
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Q.10. What are corals? Name and describe the island group which is of coral origin.
[2010 (T-1)]
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Ans. Corals are shortlived microscopic organisms, which lives in colonies. They flourish in shallow,
mud-free and warm waters. They secrete calcium carbonate. The coral secretion and their
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skeletons form coral deposits.
Lakshadweep islands group lying close to the Malaber Coast of Kerala is composed of small
coral islands.
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Himalayan region.
Terai is a sloping land at the foothills of the Nepal Himalayas. The Terai receives heavy
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Q.12. Name any three divisions of Himalayas on the basis of regions from West to East and also
write one main feature of each. [2010 (T-1)]
Ans. The Himalayas have been divided on the basis of regions from west to east. These divisions
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(i) The part of Himalayas lying between Indus and Sutlej has been traditionally known as
Punjab Himalayas. It is also regionally known as Kashmir Himachal Himalaya from west
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to east respectively.
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(ii) The part of Himalayas lying between Sutlej and Kali rivers is known as Kumaon
Himalayas.
(iii) The Kali and Tista rivers demarcate the Nepal Himalayas and the part lying between Tista
and Dihang rivers is known as Assam Himalayas.
Q.13. Why are the Himalayas called young fold mountains? [2010 (T-1)]
Ans. The Himalayan mountain is geologically young and structurally fold mountains stretch over the
northern parts of India. It was uplifted from the 'Tethys Sea' during the Tertiary period. The
whole mountain represents a very youthful topography with high peaks, deep valleys and fast
flowing rivers. That is why it is called an young-fold mountian.
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Q.14. The relief of India displays a great physical variation. Explain. [2010 (T-1)]
Ans. India is a vast country with varied landforms. It has high mountains, plains, plateaus, islands,
deserts etc. This varied large landmass formed during different geological periods which has
influenced her relief. Besides geological formations, a number of processes such as weathering,
erosion and deposition have created and modified the relief to its present form. It is, therfore,
India displays a great physical variation.
Q.15. What is the Great Himalaya? Write two characteristics of it. [2010 (T-1)]
Ans. The northernmost range of the Himalayas is known as the Great or Inner Himalayas or the
Himadri.
(i) It is the most continuous range consisting of the loftiest peaks with an average height of
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6000 metres. It contains all the prominent Himalayan peaks.
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(ii) Its folds are asymmetrical in nature and its core is composed of granite rock. It is
perenmially snowbound and contains many glaciers.
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D. LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (4 MARKS)
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Q.1. Give a brief description about how the Himalayas were formed. (V. Important)
Ans. See NCERT Q. No. 4 PR
Q.2. Write a note on the different parts of the Great Himalayan range.
Ans. The Himalayas are the one of the loftiest and most rugged mountain systems of the world. The
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mountain ranges of the Himalayas run in a west-east direction from the Indus to the
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Brahmaputra, stretching along the entire northern boundary of India. Geologically they are
young and structurally fold mountain system.
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The Himalayas consists of three sections comprising parallel ranges running from west to east.
The nothern-most section is known as the Greater or Inner Himalayas. On account of its
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permanent snow cover and glaciers the section is also termed as Himadri. It is the most
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continuous section. The average height of these ranges is 6000 metres. All the prominent and
loftiest peaks of the Himalayas are located here. Some of prominent peaks are the Everest
(8848 m) in Nepal, Kanchenjunga (8598 m in Sikkim), Nanga Parbat (in Kashmir), Nanda
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Devi (Uttarakhand) and Namcha Barwa (in Tibet, near Arunachal Pradesh) and Dhaulagiri and
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Annapurna in Nepal.
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To the south of Himadri lie the rugged ranges of the Lesser Himalayas or the Himachal. Their
average width is 50 km. The average height ranges between 3700 and 4500 metres. The Pir
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Panjal range, the Dhaula Dhar and Mahabharat ranges are important ranges. The famous valley
of Kashmir, the Kangra and the Kullu Valleys in Himachal are located in this range.
The outermost range of the Himalayas is called the Outer Himalayas or the Shivaliks. They
extend over a width of 10-50 km. They are discontinuous ranges. Their average height is
between 900 and 1100 metres. They are composed of unconsolidated sediments, gravel and
alluvium brought down by the rivers that rise in the northern ranges. Hence, they are the
youngest section of the Himalayas.
Longitudinal valleys known as duns lie between the Lesser Himalayas and Shivaliks, e.g.,
Dehra Dun, Kotli Dun, Patli Dun.
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Q.3. Describe the formation of India from Gondwanaland.
Ans. According to the ‘Theory of Plate Tectonics’ presented by earth scientists, the earth’s crust is
composed of tectonic plates. The movement of these plates have influenced the evolution of
present landforms of India.
The southern part of the ancient super-continent Pangaea is known as Gondwanaland. It
included India, Australia, South Africa and South America as one single landmass.
Geologically, the Peninsular Plateau, which is one of the oldest landmasses of the earth’s
surface, was part of the Gondwanaland.
Tectonic forces split the crust into a number of plates. A part of the Gondwanaland, the Indo-
Australian plate, drifted northwards. This resulted in the collision of this plate with the much
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larger Eurasian plate. The intervening portion between Angaraland in the north and
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Gondwanaland in the south was occupied by Tethys Sea. Due to this collision, the sediments
that had accumulated in the Tethys geosyncline was uplifted and folded. This resulted in the
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formation of the lofty Himalayas.
The Himalayan upliftment out of the sediments of the Tethtys Sea and subsidence of the
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northern flank of the Peninsular Plateau resulted in the formation of a large basin. Over
millions of years the depression gradually got filled with deposition of sediments by the rivers
flowing from the mountains in the north and the Peninsular Plateau in the south. The interplay
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of three major river systems – the Indus, the Ganga, the Brahmaputra and their tributaries
formed a fertile, flat land of extensive alluvial deposits known as the Northern Plains.
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Q.4. Distinguish between the Northern Plains and the Peninsular Plateau. (Important)
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2. Northern Plains are the most recent 2. The Peninsular plateau is part of oldest
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landform. landmass.
3. They are being formed and reshaped 3. It is one of the most stable land blocks.
by the river systems.
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Q.5. Which part of the Himalayas is known as Purvanchal? Write a short note on the
Purvanchal Himalayas. (Important)
Ans. The eastern hills and mountains of the Himalayas running along the eastern boundary of India
are known as Purvanchal. They are located in the northeastern states of India.
The river Brahmaputra marks the easternmost boundary of the Himalayas. Beyond the Dibang
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gorge, the Himalayas bend sharply to the south and spread along India’s eastern border. They
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are known as Purvanchal. They run mostly as parallel ranges with valleys in between. They
are mostly composed of strong sandstone, a sedimentary rock. The Purvanchal are less
spectacular than the Himalayas and are of medium height. The hills and ranges are covered
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with dense forests.
Some important hills of the Purvanchal are :
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(i) the Patkai Bum and Naga hills
(ii) the Mizo hills and Manipur hills PR
(iii) the Garo, Khasi and Jaintia hills along Meghalaya-Bangladesh border.
(iv) the Dafla hills in the north.
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Ans. The Peninsular Plateau of India lies to the south of the Northern Plains and extends up to the
tip of the Indian peninsula. The Peninsular Plateau is a tableland with gently rising rounded
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hills and broad, shallow valleys. It is roughly triangular in shape. It is the oldest and the most
stable landmass of India. The plateau is formed of old crystalline igneous and metamorphic
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rocks. The Peninsular Plateau consists of two broad divisions – the Central Highlands and the
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Deccan Plateau. The part of the Peninsular plateau lying to the north of the Narmada river is
known as Central Highlands. It comprises of Malwa Plateau, Bundelkhand and Baghelkhand
plateaus, the Vindhya Range and extends as Chhota Nagpur Plateau. The Aravalis are highly
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denuded old hills that lie on the western and northwestern margins of the Peninsular Plateau.
YA
The part of the Peninsular Plateau lying to the south of river Narmada is known as Deccan
Plateau. It is a triangular landmass with broad base in the north and tapers southward. It is
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formed due to lava flows, so a greater part of it is composed of basaltic rocks of volcanic
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origin. It is flanked by the Satpura range in the north. The Mahadev, the Kaimur hills and
Maikal range form its eastern extensions. The Deccan Plateau is flanked by the Western Ghats
in the west and Eastern Ghats in the east. The Western Ghats have comparatively higher
elevation of average 900 to 1600 metres. The Eastern Ghats have an average elevation of 600
metres. So the plateau is higher in the west and slopes gently eastwards. The black soil area
of the Deccan Plateau is known as Deccan Trap.
Q.7. Write a note on the Central Highlands of India. Name the various parts of the Central
Highlands. (V. Important)
Ans. See NCERT Q. No. 7 (ii)
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E. MAP WORK (4 MARKS)
Q.1. In the following map of India, mark and label the following:
a. The Himadri range b. The Shivaliks
c. The Purvanchal d. The Malwa Plateau
Ans.
N
HA
AS
AK
PR
S
ER
Q.2. In the following map of India, mark and label the following:
TH
Ans.
L
YA
O
G
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Q.3. In the following map of India, mark and label the following:
a. The Eastern Ghats b. The Khasi Hills
c. The Thar Desert d. The Deccan Plateau
Ans.
N
HA
AS
AK
PR
S
ER
TH
A. PROJECT WORK
BR
Q.1. Construct a three dimensional map of Physical India. Use the following materials.
(a) Thermocol [1-2 kg] (b) Plaster of Paris [1/2 kg]
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Ask the students to collect rock samples and soil types from different physiographic divisions
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of India. They can take help from relatives to acquire the samples. On the table place placards
depicting the different physiographic divisions. Ask the students to place the rock or soil
sample according to the division.
Next, divide the class into groups representing different physiographic divisions. Tell them to
explain how and why such samples are found in the following regions :
(i) The Himalayan Mountain (ii) The Northern Plain — Khadar, Bangar
(iii) The Peninsular Plateau — Basalt rocks, Black soil, Red soil
(iv) The Indian Desert — Sand (v) The Coastal Plain—Sand, rock, soil
(vi) The Islands—Soil, rocks, seashells the four essays.
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B. ASSIGNMENTS
Q.1. Location Arrangement
The following places are located in one of the Indian physiographical divisions. Put the
respective places in the right column.
(a) Shivaliks (b) Chilika (c) Himachal (d) Brahmaputra Plains
(e) Bhabar belt (f) Malwa Plateau (g) Nilgiris (h) Northern Circars
(i) Coromandel Coast (j) Terai (k) Konkan (l) Anai Mudi
(m) Patkai Hills (n) Chhota Nagpur (o) Bundelkhand (p) Satpura Range
Plateau
(q) Malabar Coast (r) Dhaula Giri (s) Nathula (t) Doab
N
HA
Ans. Himalayas Northern Plains Peninsular Plateau Coastal Plains
Shivaliks Brahmaputra Plains Malwa Plateau Chilika
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Himachal Bhabar belt Nilgiris Northern Circars
Dhaula Giri Terai Anai Mudi Coromandel Coast
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Nathula Doab Chhota Nagpur Plateau Konkan
Patkai Hills
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Bundelkhand Malabar
Satpura Range
Q.2. Find the odd one out and circle it with red colour.
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[Hint : Except one, all the others are connected with the Theory of Plate Tectonics.]
(ii) Erosion, folding, faulting, volcanic activity.
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[Hint : Except one, all the others are result of movement of crystal plates].
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[Hint : Only one is part of ancient Angaraland, all others are parts of the ancient
Gondwanaland.]
(iv) Tethys Sea, young-fold mountains, Himadri, Terai, Purvanchal.
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YA
[Hint : Only one is connected with Northern Plains, all the others are connected with the
Himalayas.]
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[Hint : Only one is part of Peninsular Plateau, all others are sections or belts of the
Northern Plains]
C. GROUP DISCUSSION
Discuss with your friends in your classroom about the advantage of having the Himalayas as our
natural border.
D. DEBATE
Divide the students of your classroom into two halves and debate on the advantage and
disadvantage of having a long coastline.
Team A: The advantages of a long coastline
Team B: The disadvantages of a long coastline
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E. PUZZLES/QUIZZES
Q.1. Word Jumble
Find the missing letters from the following words by using the hints provided :
a. STEHYT (Ancient sea over which the present Himalayas are situated)
b. WAGODNNA (Oldest landmass of which India was earlier a part)
c. DMIAHIR (Northernmost part of the Himalayas)
d. LMAJIU (Largest inhabited River Island in the world)
e. GMAHNEDARIIR (Highest peak in the Eastern Ghats)
f. KLHDASAEPWE (Coral Islands)
N
Ans. a. TETHYS b. GONDWANA c. HIMADRI d. MAJULI
HA
e. MAHENDRAGIRI f. LAKSHADWEEP
Q.2. Missing Letters
AS
Find the missing letters from the following words (take help from the hints provided)
Ans. a. PURVANCHAL (The eastern boundary of the Himalayas)
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b. HIMACHAL (Lesser Himalayas)
c. BARCHAN PR
(Crescent shaped sand dunes)
d. CHILIKA (Largest salt lake in India)
e. MALABAR (Coast of Kerala)
S
Ans.
L
YA
O
G
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Q.4. Word Grid :
In the word grid below are the names of at least 5 Indian rivers and 5 Indian relief features.
They are located both horizontally and vertically. Can you find them?
Ans. Indian Rivers Indian Relief Features
KOSI ARAVALI
ZASKAR PATKAI
RAVI DECCAN
CHAMBAL DEHRADUN
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KRISHNA DAFLA HILLS
HA
AS
AK
Q.5. Find My Group Leader :
Given below are names of some mountains. Circle them where it belongs.
PR
Ans. 1. Kanchenjunga — Himadri, Himachal, Western Ghats.
2. Dhaula Dhar — Himadri, Himachal, Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats.
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6. Anai Mudi — Central Highlands, Satpura range, Eastern Ghats, Western Ghats.
7. Mahendragiri — Purvanchal, Eastern Ghats, Western Ghats, Central Highland.
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