Himalayas · Northern Plains · Peninsular Plateau · Desert · Coasts · Islands
India can be divided into 6 major physiographic divisions, each with distinct landforms, climate, soil, and vegetation.
Young fold mountains running in an arc from west to east; form the northern wall of India
Vast alluvial plains formed by the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra river systems; most fertile region
Ancient Gondwanaland landmass; triangular plateau of igneous and metamorphic rocks
Sandy Thar Desert west of Aravalli Hills; hot, arid, low rainfall region in Rajasthan
Narrow strips of land between mountain ranges and the sea; Western and Eastern Coastal Plains
Lakshadweep (coral, Arabian Sea) and Andaman & Nicobar (volcanic/sedimentary, Bay of Bengal)
The Himalayas are the world's highest mountain ranges — young fold mountains formed by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates.
| Range | Also Known As | Avg. Height | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Himadri (Innermost) | Greater Himalayas | ~6,000 m | Northernmost; contains highest peaks (Everest, K2, Kanchenjunga); perennial snow |
| Himachal (Middle) | Lesser/Middle Himalayas | 3,700–4,500 m | Pir Panjal, Dhaula Dhar, Mahabharat ranges; hill stations (Shimla, Mussoorie, Nainital, Darjeeling) |
| Shiwalik (Outermost) | Outer/Sub-Himalayas | 900–1,100 m | Southernmost; less consolidated; forms longitudinal valleys called Duns |
The Northern Plains are formed by the alluvial deposits of three main river systems: the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra.
| Zone | Description |
|---|---|
| Bhabar | Narrow pebble belt (8–16 km) along Himalayan foothills; rivers disappear underground; not suitable for cultivation |
| Terai | Belt south of Bhabar; rivers reappear; marshy, wet, dense forest; good wildlife reserves (Kaziranga, Corbett) |
| Bhangar | Older alluvium; elevated upland called doab; contains kankar (calcareous deposits); less fertile |
| Khadar | Newer alluvium in flood plains; renewed every year by floods; most fertile and productive zone |
The Peninsular Plateau is one of the oldest landmasses on Earth — a remnant of the ancient Gondwanaland supercontinent. It consists of igneous and metamorphic rocks.
| Sub-division | Location | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Central Highlands | North of Narmada River | Part of Vindhyan range; slopes N/NE; drained by Chambal, Sind, Betwa, Ken rivers; Malwa Plateau |
| Deccan Plateau | South of Narmada River | Triangular shape; broadly slopes east; black soil (regur); drained by Godavari, Krishna, Mahanadi, Kaveri |
| Range | Location | Highest Peak |
|---|---|---|
| Aravalli | NW India (Rajasthan) | Guru Shikhar (1,722 m); world's oldest mountains |
| Vindhyan | N of Deccan | Separates N India from S India |
| Satpura | Central India | Between Narmada and Tapti rivers |
| Western Ghats (Sahyadri) | Along west coast | Anai Mudi (2,695 m, Kerala) — highest in peninsular India |
| Eastern Ghats | Along east coast | Mahendragiri (1,501 m); discontinuous ranges |
| Sub-division | Location | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Konkan | Daman to Goa | Rocky cliffs; rugged; small rivers; Mumbai port |
| Kannad | Goa to Karnataka coast | Sandy beach area |
| Malabar | Kerala coast | Backwaters (Kayals); Vembanad Lake; wide sandy beaches; spice trade historically |
| Sub-division | Location | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Circar | Odisha and northern AP | Broader plain; Mahanadi, Godavari deltas |
| Coromandel | Southern AP and Tamil Nadu | Sandy stretches; Krishna and Kaveri deltas; Chennai |
| Feature | Lakshadweep Islands | Andaman & Nicobar Islands |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Arabian Sea (8°–12°N) | Bay of Bengal (6°–14°N) |
| Number of Islands | 32 islands + islets | 572 islands |
| Origin | Coral origin | Volcanic and sedimentary origin |
| Total Area | 32 sq km | 8,249 sq km |
| Capital | Kavaratti | Port Blair |
| Nearest mainland | Kerala coast (~300 km) | Myanmar (~190 km) |
Click on an option to check your answer. All key topics of Chapter 2 — Physical Features of India are covered.
Very short answer questions. Answer in 1–2 sentences only. These are fact-recall questions.
Short answer questions (2 marks). Write in 2–3 sentences, covering 2 key points.
Medium answer questions (3 marks). Write in 60–80 words with 3–4 clear, organized points.
Long answer questions (5 marks). Write 120–150 words. Use: Introduction → 4–5 points → Conclusion.
Introduction: The Himalayas are the world's highest and youngest mountain system, forming India's northern wall and playing a crucial role in shaping its geography.
(1) Formation and Extent: The Himalayas are young fold mountains formed by the collision of the Indian plate with the Eurasian plate. They extend in an arc of 2,400 km from the Indus gorge (W) to the Brahmaputra gorge (E), with widths ranging from 400 km (Kashmir) to 150 km (Arunachal).
(2) Three Parallel Ranges: The Himalayas have three parallel ranges — Himadri (northernmost, highest ~6,000 m, perennial snow, highest peaks), Himachal (middle, 3,700–4,500 m, hill stations like Shimla and Mussoorie, Pir Panjal range), and Shiwalik (southernmost, 900–1,100 m, forms Duns).
(3) Perennial Rivers: The Himalayas are the source of major perennial rivers — Ganga, Yamuna, Indus, Brahmaputra. Fed by glaciers and snowmelt, these rivers flow throughout the year, supporting agriculture and civilization in the plains.
(4) Climate Protection: The Himalayas act as a natural barrier against bitterly cold Central Asian winds, keeping India's climate relatively warm. They also act as a barrier for the monsoon — trapping moisture-laden clouds and causing heavy rainfall on the windward side.
(5) Natural and Economic Importance: The Himalayas provide rich biodiversity, timber resources, medicinal plants, and tourist destinations (hill stations, trekking). They are also of great strategic/defense importance — the high mountain ranges are natural barriers against invasion from the north.
Conclusion: The Himalayas are not just mountains — they are the lifeline of India, providing water, moderating climate, supporting biodiversity, and shielding the country from external threats.
Introduction: The Northern Plains, formed by alluvial deposits of the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra rivers, are one of the world's most fertile and densely populated regions.
(1) Formation: The plains were formed over millions of years by alluvial deposits brought down by three river systems: the Indus (Punjab), Ganga (central plains), and Brahmaputra (Assam). They extend about 2,400 km in length and are 240–320 km wide, covering approximately 7 lakh sq km.
(2) Four Zones: From north to south, the plains consist of: Bhabar (pebble belt, rivers vanish), Terai (marshy, wildlife-rich), Bhangar (old alluvium, upland, kankar deposits), and Khadar (new alluvium, flood plains, most fertile). The Khadar zone is renewed each year, making it ideal for intensive farming.
(3) Agricultural Importance: The plains are the most productive agricultural region in India. Major crops grown include wheat, rice, sugarcane, maize, and pulses. The Punjab Plains are called the "granary of India" for their wheat production. The plains support food security for over a billion people.
(4) Population and Cities: The Northern Plains are the most densely populated region in India. Major cities like Delhi, Lucknow, Varanasi, Patna, and Kolkata are located here. The flat terrain and fertile soil have historically attracted human settlement for thousands of years.
(5) Water Resources: The plains have abundant groundwater accessible by wells and tube wells, making irrigation feasible even in areas away from rivers. This has enabled Green Revolution successes, particularly in Punjab and Haryana.
Conclusion: The Northern Plains are India's agricultural heartland — a product of millions of years of river deposition that now supports the country's food production, largest population, and most important cities.
Introduction: The Peninsular Plateau is an ancient, geologically stable landmass of igneous and metamorphic rocks, remnant of the ancient Gondwanaland supercontinent.
(1) Formation and Features: The plateau is one of the oldest landmasses in the world. It is broadly triangular in shape, lying between the Narmada river in the north and the ocean in the south. It consists of black soil (Regur) in the Deccan, ideal for cotton cultivation.
(2) Two Sub-divisions: The Central Highlands (north of Narmada) slope northward and are drained by Chambal, Betwa, and Sind rivers (Malwa Plateau). The Deccan Plateau (south of Narmada) is broadly triangular, sloping eastward, drained by Godavari, Krishna, Mahanadi, and Kaveri rivers that empty into the Bay of Bengal.
(3) Western Ghats (Sahyadri): Run continuously parallel to the west coast from Tapti river to Nilgiris. They have a steep western face and gentle eastern slope. They act as an important water divide for Deccan rivers. Highest peak: Anai Mudi (2,695 m) in Kerala. They receive heavy rainfall on the windward (western) side.
(4) Eastern Ghats: Run discontinuously parallel to the east coast, dissected by east-flowing rivers (Godavari, Krishna, Mahanadi, Kaveri). They are lower in elevation. Highest peak: Mahendragiri (1,501 m). The junction of the Western and Eastern Ghats forms the Nilgiri Hills (Doda Betta, 2,637 m).
(5) Other Important Ranges: The Aravalli Hills (NW India) are among the world's oldest mountain ranges. The Vindhyan and Satpura ranges separate north India from south India. The Chhota Nagpur Plateau is rich in minerals (coal, iron ore, mica).
Conclusion: The Peninsular Plateau is India's ancient geological core — its diverse topography (ghats, plateaus, ranges) shapes river systems, climate, soil types, and mineral wealth across central and southern India.