📘 Chapter 2 – Physical Features of India: Full Notes
🧭 Introduction
India has diverse landforms: mountains, plains, plateaus, deserts,
coasts, and islands.
These were formed by internal (endogenic) and external (exogenic) forces.
Geologically, the Peninsular Plateau is the oldest and most stable, while
the Himalayas and Northern Plains are more recent formations.
Major Physiographic Divisions of India
India can be divided into six major physical divisions:
1️⃣ The Himalayan Mountains
Young, fold mountains stretching over 2,400 km from Indus to
Brahmaputra.
Width: 400 km (Kashmir) to 150 km (Arunachal Pradesh).
Formed by the collision of the Indian Plate and Eurasian Plate.
Longitudinal Divisions:
1. Himadri (Greater Himalayas):
o Highest range, average height: 6,000 m.
o Composed of granite, has permanent snow and glaciers.
o Contains Mt. Everest (Nepal, 8,848 m), Kanchenjunga (India, 8,598
m).
2. Himachal (Lesser Himalayas):
o Height: 3,700–4,500 m.
o Important ranges: Pir Panjal, Dhauladhar, Mahabharat.
o Famous valleys: Kashmir, Kullu, Kangra.
o Hill stations: Shimla, Mussoorie, Nainital.
3. Shiwaliks (Outer Himalayas):
o Lowest, formed by unconsolidated sediments.
o Height: 900–1,100 m, Width: 10–50 km.
o Known for Duns (valleys): Dehra Dun, Kotli Dun.
🧭 Regional Divisions:
Punjab Himalaya (Indus to Satluj)
Kumaon Himalaya (Satluj to Kali)
Nepal Himalaya (Kali to Teesta)
Assam Himalaya (Teesta to Dihang)
📍 Eastern Hills (Purvachal):
Extension of Himalayas beyond Dihang gorge.
Includes: Patkai Hills, Naga Hills, Manipur Hills, Mizo Hills.
Composed of sedimentary rocks, dense forests.
2️⃣ The Northern Plains
Formed by alluvium from Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra rivers.
Area: 7 lakh sq. km, Length: 2,400 km, Width: 240–320 km.
Fertile, agriculturally productive, densely populated.
Divisions:
1. Punjab Plains – Indus and tributaries (in Pakistan).
2. Ganga Plains – From Ghaggar to Teesta (U.P., Bihar, West Bengal).
3. Brahmaputra Plains – Located in Assam.
📉 Relief-Based Divisions:
Bhabar: Pebbly belt at foothills; streams disappear here.
Terai: Marshy, swampy belt just south of Bhabar; good for agriculture.
Bhangar: Older alluvium, contains kankar nodules.
Khadar: Newer alluvium, fertile, ideal for farming.
📌 Fact: Majuli in Assam is the world’s largest inhabited riverine island.
3️⃣ The Peninsular Plateau
Oldest landmass in India – part of Gondwana land.
Composed of igneous and metamorphic rocks.
General slope from west to east.
🧭 Divisions:
1. Central Highlands:
o North of Narmada River, includes Malwa Plateau.
o Rivers: Chambal, Betwa, Ken – flow NE.
o Sub-regions: Bundelkhand, Baghelkhand.
o Chotanagpur Plateau (East) – drained by Damodar.
2. Deccan Plateau:
o South of Narmada.
o Triangular shape, bordered by Satpura, Mahadev, Maikal ranges.
o Includes Meghalaya Plateau (Garo, Khasi, Jaintia Hills).
Ghats:
Western Ghats:
o Continuous, high (900–1600 m), cause orographic rainfall.
o Passes: Thal, Bhor, Pal Ghats.
o Peaks: Anai Mudi (2,695 m), Doda Betta (2,637 m).
Eastern Ghats:
o Discontinuous, lower (avg 600 m), eroded by rivers.
o Highest peak: Mahendragiri (1,501 m).
🟡 Black Soil (Deccan Trap):
Volcanic origin, ideal for cotton farming.
4️⃣ The Indian Desert (Thar Desert)
Located in western Rajasthan near Aravali Hills.
Sandy, low rainfall (<150 mm/year), extreme climate.
River: Luni (seasonal).
Landforms: Barchans (crescent-shaped dunes), longitudinal dunes.
5️⃣ The Coastal Plains
Narrow plains along both coasts of India.
🧭 Western Coastal Plain:
Between Western Ghats and Arabian Sea.
Divided into:
o Konkan (Mumbai–Goa),
o Kannad Plain,
o Malabar Coast.
Narrow and uneven.
🧭 Eastern Coastal Plain:
Between Eastern Ghats and Bay of Bengal.
Divided into:
o Northern Circar,
o Coromandel Coast.
Wide and flat.
Rivers form large deltas: Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri.
Chilika Lake (Odisha) – largest saltwater lake in India.
6️⃣ The Islands
India has two major island groups:
🟢 Lakshadweep Islands:
Located in Arabian Sea, coral origin.
36 small islands, flat, no mountains/rivers.
HQ: Kavaratti.
Pitti Island – bird sanctuary.
🔴 Andaman and Nicobar Islands:
Located in Bay of Bengal, volcanic origin.
Divided into:
o Andaman Islands (north)
o Nicobar Islands (south)
India’s only active volcano is on Barren Island.
Equatorial climate, thick forests, strategic location.
📌 Key Terms and Concepts
Term Meaning
Bhabar Rocky belt at Shiwalik foothills
Terai Marshy land, just south of Bhabar
Bhang
Older alluvium, terrace-like
ar
Khadar Newer alluvium, fertile
Duns Valleys between Shiwalik & Himachal
Term Meaning
ranges
Doab Land between two rivers
Delta Fan-shaped land at river mouth
Map Work Suggestions
Mark the following:
Mountain Ranges: Karakoram, Zaskar, Aravalli, Vindhya, Cardamom,
Patkai.
Peaks: K2, Kanchenjunga, Nanga Parbat, Anai Mudi.
Plateaus: Malwa, Chotanagpur.
Desert: Thar.
Islands: Lakshadweep, Andaman-Nicobar.
Ghats: Western and Eastern.