Chapter 2.1 THE PENINSULAR PLATEAU and The Great Plain of India.

 

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THE PENINSULAR PLATEAU :

Overview:

• Part of the ancient Gondwanaland.

• Roughly triangular in shape.

• Average height: 600–900 m.

• Extends from the alluvial plains of Uttar Pradesh & Bihar towards the south.

• Covers almost the entire peninsular India.

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 Import Ranges:

 Aravalli Range:

• One of the oldest mountain ranges (Precambrian period).

• Length: about 700 km.

• Comparable to the Appalachian Mountains (USA).

• Highly eroded → called Relict Mountains.

• Known as “Museum of Minerals”.

• Extends from Gujarat to Delhi.

• Final extension: Raisina Hills (Delhi) — location of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

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 Gir Mountains:

• Located in Kathiawar region, Gujarat.

• Famous for Asiatic Lions (Gir Lions).

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 Western Ghats (Sahyadris):

• Extend from Tapti River valley to Cape of Kanyakumari.

• Length: about 1600 km.

• Average height: 1200 m.

• Geologically a rift-side mountain, not a true fold mountain.

 Important Features:

• Height increases from North to South.

• More continuous than Eastern Ghats.

 Major Hills in Western Ghats:

(a) Nilgiri Hills:

• Also called Blue Mountains.

• Located in Tamil Nadu.

• Highest peak: Doddabetta (2637 m).

• Famous hill station: Udhagamandalam (Ooty).

(b) Annamalai Hills:

• South of Nilgiris.

• Highest peak: Anamudi (2695 m) — highest in Western Ghats & South India.

(c) Cardamom Hills:

• Southernmost hill range of India.

• Contains Shencottah Gap.

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 Eastern Ghats:

• Located along the east coast in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh & Odisha.

• Average height: ~600 m.

• Less continuous than Western Ghats.

 Important Hills:

• Stanley Shevaroy Hills – Tamil Nadu

• Javadi Hills – Tamil Nadu

• Palkonda Range – Andhra Pradesh (Tirumala hills located here)

• Nallamala Hills – Andhra Pradesh.

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 Vindhyan Range:

• Lies between Narmada and Son rivers.

• Located mainly in Madhya Pradesh & Bundelkhand (UP).

• South of Malwa Plateau.

• Separates North India and South India.

• Average height: 700–1200 m.

• Type: Block Mountains.

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 Satpura Range:

• Located in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.

• Example of block mountains.

• Between rift valleys of Narmada and Tapti.

• South of and parallel to Vindhyas.

• Highest peak: Dhoopgarh (1350 m) near Pachmarhi.

• Called Sunset Point.

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Other Important Hills:

• Ajanta & Satmala Hills – Maharashtra

• Mahadeo Hills – Madhya Pradesh

• Harishchandra Hills – Maharashtra

• Balaghat Hills – Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka

• Rajmahal Hills – Jharkhand & West Bengal

  • Highest peak: Parasnath (famous Jain temple)

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Exam Tip:

• Western Ghats → continuous & higher in south

• Eastern Ghats → discontinuous & lower

• Aravalli → oldest mountain

• Anamudi → highest in Western Ghats

  The Great Plain of India:

  • Also called the Indus–Ganga–Brahmaputra Plain.

  • Length: about 3200 km.

  • Width: 150–300 km.

  • Formed by deposition of alluvium in a large basin.

  • Developed after the upliftment of the Himalayas.

  • Soil type: Alluvial soil (very fertile).

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   Divisions of the Northern Plains:                           

  
  
  

  (i) Bhabar Region:

  • Width: 8–16 km.

  • Lies along the foothills of Himalayas.

  • Made of pebbles and coarse materials.

  • Highly porous.

  • Rivers disappear underground here.

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  (ii) Terai Region:

  • Width: 15–30 km, south of Bhabar.

  • Marshy and swampy region.

  • Dense forests and rich biodiversity.

  • Rivers reappear → flood-prone area.

  • Very suitable for rice cultivation.

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  (iii) Bangar Region:

  • Higher part of the plains.

  • Made of old alluvium.

  • Contains pebbles and coarse sediments.

  • Less fertile than Khadar.

  • Locally elevated patches called Bhur.

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  (iv) Khadar Region:

  • Made of new alluvium.

  • Floodplains renewed every year.

  • Very fertile.

  • Also called Kachhar region.

  • Found along river banks.

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  (v) Deltaic Plains:

  • Formed by river deltas.

  • Soil: very fine alluvium (clayey).

  • Extremely fertile.

  • Best suited for rice and jute cultivation.

  • Example: Ganga–Brahmaputra Delta (India & Bangladesh).

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   Importance of the Indian Plains:

  • Supports a large population of India.

  • Provides fertile land for agriculture.

  • Helps in growing food crops and fodder.

  • Base for agro-based industries.

  • Supplies raw materials to industries.

  • Dense transport and settlement network.

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  Quick Revision:

  • Bhabar → pebbles, rivers disappear

  • Terai → marshy, flood-prone

  • Bangar → old alluvium

  • Khadar → new alluvium, most fertile

  • Delta → clayey, rice & jute                                                                                            Disclaimer:

    This content is prepared for educational and informational purposes only. The notes are simplified for better understanding and exam preparation (UPSC and State Exams). Readers are advised to refer to standard textbooks and official sources for detailed study