Chapter 2: Physical Features of India

Questions and Answers

EXERCISE QUESTIONS

Question 1: Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below.
(i) A landmass bounded by sea on three sides is referred to as

(a) Coast

(b) Island

(c) Peninsula

(d) None of the above

Answer: (c) Peninsula

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

(a) Himachal

(b) Uttarakhand

(c) Purvachal

(d) None of the above

Answer: (c) Purvachal

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

(a) Coromandel

(b) Konkan

(c) Kannad

(d) Northern Circar

Answer: (c) Kannad

(iv) The highest peak in the Eastern Ghats is

(a) Anai Mudi

(b) Kanchenjunga

(c) Mahendragiri

(d) Khasi

Answer: (c) Mahendragiri

Question 2: Answer the following questions briefly.

(i) What is the bhabar?

Answer: The Bhabar is a narrow belt of about 8 to 16 km width lying parallel to the slopes of the Shiwaliks at
the foothills. This belt is covered with pebbles and is laid down by numerous streams descending from the
mountains. All the streams disappear in this Bhabar belt due to the porous nature of the deposits.

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

Answer: The three major divisions of the Himalayas from north to south are:

1. The Himadri (Great or Inner Himalayas) - The northernmost range which is the most continuous range
consisting of the loftiest peaks with an average height of 6,000 metres. It contains all prominent Himalayan
peaks.

2. The Himachal (Lesser Himalayas) - The range lying to the south of the Himadri. The altitude varies
between 3,700 and 4,500 metres and the average width is 50 km. The Pir Panjal range forms the longest and
most important range in this division.

3. The Shiwaliks (Outer Himalayas) - The outermost range of the Himalayas extending over a width of 10-
50 km and having an altitude varying between 900 and 1,100 metres. These are the foothill ranges.

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

Answer: The Malwa Plateau (also known as the Central Highlands) lies between the Aravali and the Vindhyan
ranges.
(iv) Name the island group of India having coral origin.

Answer: Lakshadweep Islands is the island group of India having coral origin. This group of islands is
composed of small coral islands lying close to the Malabar coast of Kerala in the Arabian Sea.

Question 3: Distinguish between

(i) Bhangar and Khadar

Answer:

Bhangar Khadar

Bhangar is the older alluvium or old soil. Khadar consists of newer and younger deposits.

It forms the largest part of the Northern Plains. It is found in the floodplains of rivers.

It lies above the flood plains of rivers and presents a terrace-like

It lies in the low-lying areas near rivers.
structure.

The soil contains calcareous deposits locally known as kankar. The soil does not contain kankar nodules.

It is more fertile as it is renewed almost every

It is less fertile compared to Khadar.
year.

Ideal for intensive agriculture due to high

Not ideal for intensive agriculture.
fertility.

(ii) Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats

Answer:

Western Ghats Eastern Ghats

Situated on the western edge of Deccan Plateau along the Arabian Situated on the eastern edge of Deccan Plateau along
Sea. the Bay of Bengal.

Continuous, can be crossed through passes only. Discontinuous, irregular and dissected by rivers.

Higher elevation: 900-1,600 metres. Highest peaks: Anai Mudi Lower elevation: 600 metres. Highest peak:
(2,695 m), Doda Betta (2,637 m). Mahendragiri (1,501 m).

Enclose wider Eastern Coastal Plain (maximum

Enclose narrow Western Coastal Plain (maximum width 64 km).
width 120 km).

Receive heavy orographic rain in summer; hot and moist climate. Receive less rain in both summer and winter.

Highly fertile soil. Crops: rice, spices, rubber, coconuts, cashew Less fertile soil. Crops: rice, groundnuts, cotton,
nuts. tobacco, coconuts.
Question 4: Which are the major physiographic divisions of India? Contrast the relief of the
Himalayan region with that of the Peninsular plateau.
Answer:

Major Physiographic Divisions of India:

1. The Himalayan Mountains

2. The Northern Plains

3. The Peninsular Plateau

4. The Indian Desert

5. The Coastal Plains

6. The Islands

Contrast between Himalayan Region and Peninsular Plateau:

Himalayan Region Peninsular Plateau

Young fold mountains of recent origin. Part of the oldest landmass of Indian subcontinent.

Highest mountains in the world (average 6,000 metres). Low hills with no high peaks of worldwide fame.

Major rivers like Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra originate here. Few rivers like Narmada and Tapti originate here.

Formed of sedimentary rocks. Formed of igneous and metamorphic rocks.

Formed due to collision of Indian and Eurasian plates. Formed due to breaking and drifting of Gondwana land.

Youthful topography with high peaks, deep valleys, fast-flowing Broad and shallow valleys, rounded hills with gentle
rivers. slopes.

Famous hill stations: Shimla, Mussoorie, Darjeeling, Nainital. No well-known hill stations in Central Highlands.

Unstable zone with ongoing geological activity. One of the most stable land blocks.

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

Answer:

Formation: The Northern Plains were formed by the interplay of three major river systems — the Indus, the
Ganga, and the Brahmaputra along with their tributaries. The deposition of alluvium at the foothills of the
Himalayas over millions of years formed this fertile plain.

Extent:
 Extends from Punjab Plain (west) to Brahmaputra valley (east)

Area: 7 lakh sq. km; Length: 2,400 km; Width: 240-320 km

Densely populated physiographic division

Importance: Rich soil, abundant water supply and favourable climate make this region agriculturally very
productive. It is called the "granaries of the country" and has the highest population density.

Three Main Sections:

1. Punjab Plains - Western part formed by Indus and its tributaries (Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Satluj).
Dominated by doabs. Larger part lies in Pakistan.

2. Ganga Plain - Largest part extending between Ghaggar and Teesta rivers. Spreads over Haryana, Delhi,
UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.

3. Brahmaputra Plain - Eastern part in Assam. Narrower than Ganga Plain and flood-prone.

Four Relief Features:

1. Bhabar - Narrow belt (8-16 km) with pebbles; streams disappear here.

2. Terai - Wet, swampy, marshy region where streams re-emerge.

3. Bhangar - Older alluvium with terrace-like structure; contains kankar deposits.

4. Khadar - Newer floodplain deposits; renewed yearly; very fertile; ideal for intensive agriculture.

Special Features:

Ganga-Brahmaputra delta in southeast is the world's largest delta

Rivers form distributaries and riverine islands in lower course

Question 6: Write short notes on the following.

(i) The Indian Desert

Answer:

Location: Lies towards the western margins of Aravali Hills in northwestern India (mainly Rajasthan).

Physical Features: Undulating sandy plain with sand dunes. Barchans (crescent-shaped dunes) cover larger
areas; longitudinal dunes near Indo-Pakistan boundary.

Climate: Very low rainfall (below 150 mm/year); arid climate with low vegetation cover.
Drainage: Streams appear only during rainy season and soon disappear into sand. Luni is the only large river.

Significance: Despite harsh conditions, supports human habitation; important for mineral resources and unique
ecosystem.

(ii) The Central Highlands

Answer:

Location: Part of Peninsular Plateau lying north of Narmada River, covering major area of Malwa Plateau.
Bounded by Vindhyan range (south), Aravali Hills (northwest), and Satpura range (south).

Characteristics: Composed of old igneous and metamorphic rocks; part of oldest landmass from Gondwana
land. Has broad valleys and rounded hills; wider in west, narrower in east.

Extensions: Westward extension merges with Rajasthan desert. Eastward extensions are Bundelkhand and
Baghelkhand. Chotanagpur Plateau is further eastern extension.

Rivers: Chambal, Sind, Betwa, and Ken flow from southwest to northeast.

Importance: Rich in mineral resources; important for agriculture and source region for rivers.

(iii) The Island Groups of India

Answer:

1. Lakshadweep Islands:

Located in Arabian Sea, close to Malabar coast (southwest of mainland)

Small coral islands; area: 32 sq. km

Renamed from Laccadive, Minicoy, and Amindive in 1973

Kavaratti is administrative headquarters

Great diversity of flora and fauna; Pitti Island has bird sanctuary

2. Andaman and Nicobar Islands:

Located in Bay of Bengal (southeast of mainland)

Bigger, more numerous and scattered

Divided into Andaman (north) and Nicobar (south)

 Elevated portion of submarine mountains

Lie close to equator; equatorial climate with thick forest cover

Great biodiversity; India's only active volcano on Barren Island

Significance: Both groups are strategically important, rich in biodiversity, and provide sites for fishing, port
activities, and tourism.

MAP SKILLS
On an outline map of India show the following:

(i) Mountain and hill ranges:

The Karakoram

The Zaskar

The Patkai Bum

The Jaintia

The Vindhya range

The Aravali

The Cardamom hills

(ii) Peaks:

K2

Kanchenjunga

Nanga Parbat

The Anai Mudi

(iii) Plateaus:

Chotanagpur

Malwa

(iv) Other features:

The Indian Desert

Western Ghats
 Lakshadweep Islands

Note: Students should locate and mark these features on a physical/outline map of India for practice.