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NCERT Notes Class 9 Geography: Chapter 2: Physical Features of India

Introduction

The geographical features of India are characterized by significant diversity. Geologically, the Peninsular Plateau is one of the oldest landmasses on the planet, known for its stability over millennia. Conversely, the Himalayas and the Northern Plains represent the youngest landforms, with the Himalayan mountain range considered geologically unstable.

The Himalayas exhibit a dynamic topography, boasting towering peaks, deep valleys, and swift-flowing rivers. In contrast, the Northern Plains are predominantly composed of fertile alluvial deposits. The Peninsular Plateau comprises igneous and metamorphic rocks, characterized by gently rising hills and expansive valleys, contributing to its distinct landscape.

Major Physiographic Divisions

Here are the major physiographic divisions of India:

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

The Himalayan Mountains

The Himalayas, geologically young and structurally fold mountains, stretch over the northern borders of India, running from west to east from the Indus to the Brahmaputra. Covering about 2,400 km, they are the loftiest and one of the most rugged mountain barriers globally, with varying width and altitude. The Himalayas consist of three parallel ranges:

1. The Great Himalayas or the Himadri: This northernmost range comprises the loftiest peaks, with an average height of 6,000 meters. It is perennially snowbound and hosts prominent peaks, composed mainly of granite.
2. The Lesser Himalayas or the Himachal: South of the Himadri, this range forms a rugged mountain system mainly composed of highly compressed and altered rocks. Ranges like Pir Panjal, Dhaula Dhar, and Mahabharat are part of this range, hosting famous valleys like Kashmir, Kangra, and Kullu.
3. The Outer Himalayas or the Shiwaliks: Located to the south of the Himachal, these ranges have altitudes varying between 900 and 1,100 meters and are composed of unconsolidated sediments. They are covered with thick gravel and alluvium, with longitudinal valleys known as Duns.

The Himalayas are further divided into regional divisions based on river valleys, such as the Punjab Himalayas, Kashmir Himalayas, Himachal Himalayas, Kumaon Himalayas, and Assam Himalayas. The Brahmaputra marks the eastern boundary, where the Himalayas bend southwards, forming the Purvachal or the Eastern hills and mountains. Comprising ranges like the Patkai, Naga, Manipur, and Mizo hills, these hills are mostly composed of sedimentary rocks covered with dense forests, running parallel to each other.

The Peninsular Plateau

The Peninsular plateau, a tableland composed of old crystalline, igneous, and metamorphic rocks, was formed due to the breaking and drifting of the Gondwana land, making it one of the oldest landmasses. It features broad, shallow valleys and rounded hills, with two main divisions: the Central Highlands and the Deccan Plateau.

• Central Highlands: This region lies north of the Narmada river, including the Malwa plateau. Bounded by the Satpura range to the south and the Aravalis to the northwest, it gradually merges with the desert of Rajasthan. Rivers like the Chambal, Sind, Betwa, and Ken drain this region from southwest to northeast. Wider in the west and narrower in the east, it extends into Bundelkhand and Baghelkhand, with the Chotanagpur plateau further eastward, drained by the Damodar river.
• Deccan Plateau: Located south of the Narmada river, it is flanked by the Satpura range in the north and includes hills like Mahadev, Kaimur, and Maikal to the east. The plateau slopes gently eastwards, with extensions visible in the northeast known as Meghalaya, Karbi-Anglong Plateau, and North Cachar Hills. The Western and Eastern Ghats mark its western and eastern edges respectively.
• Western Ghats: Parallel to the western coast, these continuous, high ranges can be crossed only through passes like Thal, Bhor, and Pal Ghats. They cause orographic rain by facing rain-bearing winds, with peaks like Anai Mudi and Doda Betta.
• Eastern Ghats: Stretching from the Mahanadi Valley to the Nilgiris, they are discontinuous and dissected by rivers draining into the Bay of Bengal. Peaks include Mahendragiri, while Shevroy and Javadi Hills lie to the southeast. Hill stations like Ooty and Kodaikanal are located here.
• Deccan Trap: A distinct feature, it consists of volcanic-origin black soil responsible for fertile agricultural lands. The Aravali Hills, highly eroded and found as broken hills, lie on the western margins of the plateau, extending from Gujarat to Delhi.

The Indian Desert

The Indian desert, located towards the western margins of the Aravali Hills, is characterized by its sandy plain covered with extensive sand dunes. This region experiences very low rainfall, below 150 mm per year, contributing to its arid climate and sparse vegetation cover.

The Coastal Plains

A coastal plain is a flat, low-lying piece of land adjacent to the ocean. In India, two narrow strips of plain lands are found on either side of the peninsular plateau, known as the Eastern Coastal Plain and Western Coastal Plain.

Eastern Coastal Plain

The Eastern Coastal Plains extend between the Eastern Ghats and the Bay of Bengal. The northern part is referred to as the Northern Circar, while the southern part is known as the Coromandel Coast. Large rivers like the Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri have formed extensive deltas along this coast. Lake Chilika is a significant feature of the Eastern Coastal Plain.

Western Coastal Plain

The Western Coastal Plain lies between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. It consists of three sections:

• The northern part, known as the Konkan (spanning from Mumbai to Goa).
• The central stretch referred to as the Kannad Plain.
• The southern stretch known as the Malabar coast.

The Islands

An island is a piece of sub-continental land surrounded by water. The Lakshadweep Islands group consists of small coral islands, formerly known as Laccadive, Minicoy, and Amindive.

The islands are broadly categorized into:

1. The Andaman in the north
2. The Nicobar in the south

Located close to the equator, these islands experience an equatorial climate and are covered with thick forests.

The diverse physical features of India offer immense potential for development due to the following reasons:

• The northern plains are the country’s granaries, supporting early civilizations.
• The plateau is rich in minerals, playing a crucial role in India’s industrialization.
• The coastal regions and island groups provide opportunities for fishing and port activities.

Related Links

• Branches of Geography Class 11 Notes
• India Location| Chapter 1 Class 11 Geography Notes
• Physical Geography and its Importance| Class 11 Geography Notes
• Land Resources and Agriculture| Class 12 Geography Notes

Chapter 2: Physical Features of India- FAQs

What are the major physical features of India?

The major physical features of India include the Himalayan Mountains, Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau, Indian Desert, Coastal Plains, and Islands.

What is the significance of the Himalayan Mountains?

The Himalayan Mountains are geologically young and represent one of the most rugged mountain barriers in the world.

What are the characteristics of the Indian Desert?

The Indian Desert lies to the west of the Aravali Hills. It is characterized by undulating sandy plains covered with sand dunes. The region receives very low rainfall, below 150 mm per year, and has a dry climate with low vegetation cover.

Describe the Coastal Plains of India.

India has two coastal plains: the Eastern Coastal Plain and the Western Coastal Plain. The Eastern Coastal Plain lies between the Eastern Ghats and the Bay of Bengal, while the Western Coastal Plain is sandwiched between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. These plains are characterized by flat, low-lying land next to the ocean and are important for fishing and port activities.

What are the major island groups of India?

The major island groups of India include the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal and the Lakshadweep Islands in the Arabian Sea. These islands are known for their equatorial climate and dense forest cover.