Indian Geography Part 1 PDF

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Geography
CHAPTER - 1
INDIA PHYSICAL
INTRODUCTION
KARKAKORAM RANGES
IMPORTANT MOUNTAIN RANGES
• Extend from the Pamir, east of the Gilgit Rier, 600 km
long and the average width - 120-140 km.
• Ancient name was Krishnagiri.
• Grans Himalaya, originally a part of Eurasian plate.
• Abode of largest glaciers in India.
• Siachen, Baltoro, Biafo, and Hisper glaciers.
• Highest Peak (in India): K2 or Godwin Austen (8611
m).
• Other Important Peaks: Gasherbrum I or Hidden Peak,
Broad Peak and Gasherbrum II.
• In the northern limit of Karakoram Range lies the
Pamir, the Aghil Mountains, and Yarkand River and in
the southern limit lies the River Indus and its tributary
Shyok.
LADDAKH RANGE
• Situated to the north
of the Indus Tsangpo
Suture Zone (ITSZ)
and south of
Karakoram, between
River Indus and
Shyok.
• Highest Peak: Mt.
Rakaposhi (steepest
peak in the world).
1. Great Himalaya or Himadari

• Northern most part of the Himalayan Range is the world’s highest part with an average altitude of 6100 m
above sea level.
• Include the world’s highest peak, Mt. Everest (8,848 m) and other high peaks-Makalu (8,481 m), Mansalu
(8,156 m), Annapurna (8,,078 m) and also the Indian peak Manghenjunga (8,598 m) and Nanga Parbat
(8,126 m).
• Includes some famous passes—Burzil and Zozi La in Kashmir, Shipki La and Bara Lapcha La in Himachal
Pradesh, Thaga La, Niti Pass, and Lipu Lekh in U.P., Jelep La and Nathu La in Sikkim.
ZASKAR RANGE
• Situated on the western part of the Greater Himlaya and to the south of Trans Himalaya.
Nanaga Parbat (8,126 m)
• Forms the north-west part of Zaskar Range but geographically confined to Kashmir-Himachal Pradesh-
Garhwal region.
• Second highest peak of the Himalayan Range in India.
Dhaulagiri (8,172 m)
• Eastern continuation of Nanga Parbat and is located in Nepal.
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Geography
2. Lesser Himalaya or Himachal 3. Siwalik Range

• Lying to the north of Siwalik Range they are • Estends from Jammu & Kashmir
separated from the Siwalik Range by Duns— (150 km wide) to Arunchal Pradesh
Dehradun, Kothridun and Patlidun. (8-15 km) over 2400 km.
(I) PIR PANJAL RANGE • Also known as Sub-Himalaya or
Outer Himalaya.
• Located in Kashmir—Punjab and extends from
the Jhelum River to the upper Beas River for • Northern limit—Main Boundary
over 300 km. Thrust which separates Outer
Himalaya from the Lesser Himalaya.
• Separated from the Zaskar Range by the valley
Its southern limit is Indo Gangetic
of Kashmir.
Plain.
(II) DHAULADHAR
• Youngest part of mountain chain,
• Southern most range of the Lessers Himalaya. stretching from the Brahmputra to
• Rarely attains elevations higher than 4,000 m. the Indus.
• Continue eastward into Mahabharat Range.
CLASSIFICATION OF HIMALAYA ON THE BASIS OF GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION
NAME LOCATION DISTANCE

Punjab Himalaya Between Indus and Satluj 560 km
Kumaon Himalaya Between Satluj and Kali 320 km
Nepal Himalaya Between Kali and Tista 800 km
Assam Himalaya Between Tista and Dihang 720 km

Geography
THE PURVANCHAL
(The North Eastern Highland)
• The Himalaya range after crossing the Dihang gorge in the east, bends southwards, forming a
series of hills in north south trend.
• They are divided into six physiographic region-Purvu-NEFA (Mishmi hills, Patkai Bum), Nagaland,
the Manipur Hills, North Cachar Hills, Mizo Hills and the Tripura Hills.
PURVU NEPA
(i) Mishmi Hills
• The highest range of Purvanchal Hills which is situated in the north-eastern part of
Arunachal Pradesh.
(ii) Patkai Bum
• A synclinal range extending north-south in Arunchal Pradesh and Nagaland.
NAGA RANGES
• Forms the Watershed between Nagaland and Myanmar.
MANIPUR HILLS
• Characterised by ridge and valley type of topography.
• Loktak lake (centripetal drainage) is situated in this hill.
NORTH CACHAR HILLS
• Larger portion of hilly belt lying between Meghalaya and the North eastern ranges.
MIZO HILLS
• Previously known as Lushai Hills
• Characterised by cuesta type of topography.
TRIPURA HILLS
• Characterised by ridge and valley topography.

Geography
The Northern Plains of India

East-west east 2,400 km • Largest alluvial tract of the world, extending from the mouth
(3,200 km if the Indus plains of Indus to the mouth of Ganga between Peninsular plateau
are included and the northern are of the mountains.
Average width: 150-300 km. • Alluvial in nature, and are composed or Bhangar (old
alluvium), Khadar (new alluvium) in river bed, Bhabar
(porous gravel ridden plains at the foot of Himalaya) and
Terai (dam, thickly forest area, where bhabar stream reappears.
SUBDIVISION OF GREAT PLAINS

THE RAJASTHAN PLAIN • Thar of Great Indian Desert is the wasternmost region of Great
Extent : 650 km long. Indian Plains in the western Rajasthan.
Average width : 250-300 • A semi and plain, lying to the east of Thar desert is known as
km wide Rajasthan Bagar.
• The Luni si the only southwest flowing river of this region.
• The Sambhar (largest), the Kuncman, and the Didwana are
important lakes situated to the north of Luni Basin.
THE PUNJAB HARYANA PLAINS • Extends from Punjab in the west to Yamuna River (Haryana) in
the east.
Extent : 640 km from north- • Land of five rivers-is primary made up of ‘doabs’-the land between
west to southeast and 300 two rivers’.
km in east west direction. • They are composed by Bets (Khadar plains) and Dhaya (Heavily
gullied bluffs).
THE GANGA PLAINS • The largest Great Plain stretching from Delhi to Kolkata across
the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal.
• The Ganga and its tributaries like Yamuna, Ghagra, Gomti, Kosi,
Son deposit large amount of alluvium and make this extensive
plain more fertile.
• They comprise of Ganga Yamuna Doab in the west, to the east of
this Doab are the Rohilkhan plains which merges with Avadh
plain in the east.
THE BRAHMPUTRA PLAIN • The low level plains formed by the Brahmaputra river system is
sitated between Eastern Himalaya (Arunchal Pradesh) in the
north, Patkai and Naga hills in the east, Garo-Khasi-Jaintia and
Mikir Hills and lower Ganga Plain and Indo-Bangaledesh border
in the west.

Geography
Peninsular Mountains
THE ARAVALLI RANGE • Extending from the north east to the sout-west of India and
separates the semi-deset regions of Rajasthan from the fertile
Udaipur and Jaipur region.
Total length : 700 km. • It is an example of relict mountain.
Highest peak : Guru Shikhar One of the Most oldest fold mountains in the world.
(1,722 m) on the Abu Hills.
VINDHYAN R ANGE • A block mountain which separates northern Indian from the
southern mainland.

Geography
• Composed of sandstones, shales and quartzites.

• Western part of the range is chiefly composed of Basalt.
• South of it, Narmada River flows in the rift valley.
• Acts s a natural watershed between north and south India.
SATPURA RANGE • Extending in east west direction, to the south of Vindhyans.

Highest peak : Dhupgarh • Starting from Rajpipala hills in the west through Mahadeo hills
(1,350 m) near Pachmarhi. to Maikal ranges.
Average elevation : 1,030 m
above sea level.
MAIKAL R ANGE • Eastern part of Satpura system is situated in Madhya Pradesh.

• Mount Amarkantak is the highest peak.
AJANTA RANGE, BALAGHAT RANGE, • Extending in east west direction, are all spurs of Western Ghats
AND HARISH CHANDRA RANGE forming local watershed.
• Kalsubai (1,646 m), the highest peak of Western Ghat, is located
in Harish Chandra Range.
NILGIRI HILLS • It is the meeting point of Western and Eastern Ghats.

• Doba Betta (2,637 m) is the highest peak of Nilgiri Hills.
• The hills are separated from southern hills by a gap called
Palghat Gap.
ANNAIMALAI HILLS • Anai Mudi (2,695 m), the highest peak of South India is in
Annaimalai Hills.
CARDAMOM HILLS • It is situated in the extreme south of Peninsular India.

• Formed of gneisses and schists.
RAJMAHAL HILLS • Extends in north south direction and is situated in the

northeastern edge of Chhotanagpur Plateau.
SAHYADRIS (WESTERN GHATS) • Runs along the western coastal plain from the south of valley
of Tapi to Kanniyakumari, the southern most point of mainland
India.
Total length : about 1600 km. • The northern section is made up of horizontal sheets of lava,
producing a typical trappean like landscape.
Average height : 1200 m. • The Western Ghats meet with Eastern Ghats in the Nilgiri
hills.
Highest Peak : Kalsubai • Acts as a main watershed of Peninsular rivers.
(1646 m).
EASTERN GHATS • Runs along the eastern coast of India from northern Orissa to
the Nilgiri Hills.
• Characterised by unbroken hills between Mahanadi and
Godavari.
• Mahendragiri (1501 m) is the highest peak of Eastern Ghats.
• Nallamalai Hills and Velikonda are other prominent ranges.

Geography
The Indian Plateau
BUNDELKHAND BHANDER, BAGHEL AND MALWA PLATEAU M EGHALAYA P LATEAU

• These highlands are situated to the north of • It comprises of Garo, Khasi and
Narmada rift vallye. Jaintia Hills.
• Bundelkhand Plateau is a part of central • Originally a part of Peninsular
highlands and is composed of granite and plateau.
gneisses. • Garo-Rajmahal Gap separates it from
• Malwa plateau is an example of dissected lava the main block of peninsular plateau.
plateau, which is covered with black soil.

Geography
CHOTANAGPUR PLATEAU D ECCAN PLATEAU

Highest Peak - Parasnath (1,366 m) in the • South of the Satpura Range in the peninsula is
Hazaribagh Plateau. called the Deccan Plateau.
• Situated in the north eastern part of (1) The Deccan Lava Plateau Region
Indian Plateau includes the region of • Northwestern part of Deccan Plateau is the region
Jharkhand, adjoining Chhattisgarh and of basaltic lava.
West Bengal.
• It includes the Western Ghats north of 160 north
• It consists of the Ranchi Plateau in the latitude, plateau of Maharashtra (except the east
south, the Hazaribagh Plateau in the of Nagpur) and the adjoining parts of Madhya
north, and the Rajmahal Hills in the Pradesh, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
northwest.
(2) Telengana Plateau
• Described as the “Ruhr of India”
• Part of the Deccan Plateau, comprises of the
• Pat lands are one of the chief interior region of Andhra Pradesh.
characteristics of Chotanagpur Plateau.
• North of Krishna River is the plateau of Telangana.
• Very rich in mineral resources.
• South of the Krishna River, lying in the Rayalseema
plateau region.
(3) The Karnataka Plateau

• Situated to the south of Deccan Lava Region.
• Malnad and Maidan are two physiographic regions of Karnataka Plateau.
(i) Malnad
• Hilly and dissected plateau region about 35 km wide lying close to the Western Ghats. The
highest hills is the Bababudan group.
(ii) Maidan
• Situated in the eastern part of Malnad, relatively large rolling plains with low granitic hills.
THE WEST COASTAL PLAIN THE EAST COASTAL PLAIN

• Runs from Rann of Kachchh to • Extends from the deltaic plains of the Ganga in the
Kanniyakumari and are confined to a north to Kanniyakumari in the south for 1100 km
narrow belt about 10-15 km wide. with an average width of 100 to 130km.
KATHIAWAR COAST (I) UTKAL COAST
• Extends from Rann of Kuchchh to • Extends for about 400 km from a little north of
Daman in the south. Subarnarekha river of the Ganga of the Mahanadi
KONKAN COAST (Total length : 500 km) delta.
• The West Coastal Plain between Daman
(II) ANDHRA GOASTAL PLAINS
in the north and Goa in the south in
example of coast of submergence due • Extends from the southern limit of Utkal plains to
to vertical movements, and is Pulicat lake (Andhra Pradesh).
consequently dissected. • It has large deltas of the Krishna and the Godavari
Malabar Coast rivers.
• Extends from Goa in the north to (III)TAMIL NADU PLAINS
Kanniyakumari in the south is a
coastline of emergence. • Extends about 675 km, from the north of Chennai
to Kanniyakumari in the south.
• Southern coastal region receives more
rainfall during summer monsoon • It has the deltaic plains of Cauvery and is popularly
season. called, the Granary of South India.

Geography
Important Gulfs
NAME SEPARATES LOCATION INFORMATION
Gulf of Kachchh Kachchh and Kathiawar West of Gujarat Region with highest potential of tidal
Peninsula energy generation.
Gulf of Cambay Kathiawar Peninsula Gujarat Tapi, Narmada, Mahi and Sabarmati
and Gujarat river drain into the Gulf.
Gulf of Mannar Sri Lanka and Southern South east of Asia’s first marine biosphere
India reserve.
Important Lagoons and Lakes

NAME STATE INFORMATION
Kayals Kerala Popularly called backwaters in Kerala, on the
Malabar coast.
A chain of lakes which are connected with each
other by canals.
(Peaty soils of backwaters are called Kari in Kerala).
Vembnad Lake Kerala Large sized backwater of Kerala, have fertile
(Largest Kayal alluvial islands. It is 75 km long and 5-10 km wide
enclosed by a spit.
Chilka Lake Orissa Situated to the south west of the Mahanadi Delta.
Maximum length - 64 km Enclosed by the sand pit, has an opening which
permits sea-connection.
Maximum breath - 20 km Largest brackish water lake in Asia.
Average width - 150 km
Fresh Water Lakes
Wullar Lake Jammu and Largest fresh water lake of India.
Kashmir
Kolleru Lake Andhra Pradesh A part of the southern border of Andhra Pradesh.
60 km long and 60 km Lagoon formed due to enclosure by sand spit now
in the widest part. called Sriharikota islands.
Jaisamand Lake Rajasthan Largest fresh water lake of Rajasthan.
Nakki Lake Rajasthan A small natural lake near Mt. Abu surrounded by
hills, important as tourist place.
Loktak Lake Manipur Site of hydroelectricity power generation.
An example of centripetal drainage.
Saline Water Lakes
Sambhar Lake Rajasthan Largest Lake of Rajasthan lies on the border of
Jaipur and Nagaur District.
Sodium chloride (common salt) and sodium sulphate
are produced fainly by the Hindustan Salt Ltd.
Deedwana Lake Rajasthan Situated near Deedwana Town of Nagaur District.

Geography
INDIA—THEMATIC MAPS
INDIA GEOLOGY

Geography
Geology Time Scale

HOLOCENE
PLEISTOCENE From upper Pliocene to Upliftment of Outer Himalays (Siwalik).

Plistocene.
Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) formed.
CENEZOIC ERA
PLIOCENE From Miocene to Plioceen. Main Central Thrust (MCT) formed.

MIOCENE Upliftment of Lesser Himalaya (Second
Phase).
OLIGOCENE From Eocene to Oligocene. Upliftment of Central Himalaya.
EOCENE
PALAEOCENE From late Cretaceous Collision of Indian and Eurasion plate
to Eocene. begins. (Continent collision)— Indus
Tsangpo Suture Zone formed (ITSZ)
formed.
MESOZOIC
CRETACEOUS Extensive eruption of basalt leading to

(LATE) formation of Deccan Lava Plateau.
ERA
Enclosure of Tethys which started

shrinking.
UPPER From Caboniferous to Deposition in three great graben like

PALAEOZOIC
Permian. basin-Mahanadi, Damodar and Godavari

known as Gondwana deposits. (Region
ERA
with rich cola reserves).
LOWER From Cambrian to Formation conspicusouly absent.

Carboniferous (Early).
UPPER Vindhyan syneclise - devoid of

PROTEROZOIC metalliferous minerals.
Vindhyan Mountain — formed of shales,
slates, clay and limestone.
MIDDLE Satpura, Shillong Plateau.

PRECAMBRIAN
PROTEROZOIC
Formation and deposition in Cuddapah
depression.
EARLY
PROTERZOIC Delhi and Aravalli orogeny took place.
CLOSE ARCHEAN Dharwar system—cover whole length of

Karnataka.
(Region with iron ore reserves).
LATE ARCHEAN Peninsular Gneiss and Eastern Ghat

formation.
MIDDLE Singhbhum and Keonjhar Orogeny (rich

ARCHEAN iron ore reserves).


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1. Great Himalaya or Himadari

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2. Lesser Himalaya or Himachal 3. Siwalik Range

CLASSIFICATION OF HIMALAYA ON THE BASIS OF GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION

NAME LOCATION DISTANCE

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The Northern Plains of India

SUBDIVISION OF GREAT PLAINS

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• Composed of sandstones, shales and quartzites.

SATPURA RANGE • Extending in east west direction, to the south of Vindhyans.

MAIKAL R ANGE • Eastern part of Satpura system is situated in Madhya Pradesh.

NILGIRI HILLS • It is the meeting point of Western and Eastern Ghats.

CARDAMOM HILLS • It is situated in the extreme south of Peninsular India.

RAJMAHAL HILLS • Extends in north south direction and is situated in the

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The Indian Plateau

BUNDELKHAND BHANDER, BAGHEL AND MALWA PLATEAU M EGHALAYA P LATEAU

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CHOTANAGPUR PLATEAU D ECCAN PLATEAU

(3) The Karnataka Plateau

THE WEST COASTAL PLAIN THE EAST COASTAL PLAIN

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Important Lagoons and Lakes

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Geology Time Scale

PLEISTOCENE From upper Pliocene to Upliftment of Outer Himalays (Siwalik).

PLIOCENE From Miocene to Plioceen. Main Central Thrust (MCT) formed.

CRETACEOUS Extensive eruption of basalt leading to

Enclosure of Tethys which started

UPPER From Caboniferous to Deposition in three great graben like

Permian. basin-Mahanadi, Damodar and Godavari

with rich cola reserves).

LOWER From Cambrian to Formation conspicusouly absent.

UPPER Vindhyan syneclise - devoid of

MIDDLE Satpura, Shillong Plateau.

CLOSE ARCHEAN Dharwar system—cover whole length of

LATE ARCHEAN Peninsular Gneiss and Eastern Ghat

MIDDLE Singhbhum and Keonjhar Orogeny (rich

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