Lecture Notes: Indian Himalayas and Related Topics

Introduction

• Lecture number: 15
• Main Topic: Formation and characteristics of the Himalayas

Formation of the Himalayas

• Collision between the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate
• Resulted in the formation of the Himalayas

Ranges within the Himalayas

• Trans Himalayas
  • Includes Karakoram, Ladakh, Zanskar
• Great Himalayas (Himadri)
  • Highest peaks: Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga (India's highest peak)
  • Average height: 6000 meters
  • Kanchenjunga is worshipped in Sikkim
• Lesser Himalayas (Himachal)
  • Known regionally as Pir Panjal, Dhauladhar in Himachal, Nagatibba in Uttarakhand, Mahabharata Range in Nepal
  • Average height: 4000 meters
  • Kashmir Valley located between Great and Lesser Himalayas
• Shivaliks (Outer Himalayas)
  • Known for longitudinal Doon valleys like Dehradun

Peaks and Festival Information

• Dhaulagiri: Peak height 8167 meters
• K2 (8611 meters) and Kanchenjunga (8598 meters)
• Mount Lothse: Height 8516 meters
• Sikkim Festivals: Losar, Fung Lapsol

Indus River System

• Originates near Kailash Mansarovar
• Right Bank Tributaries: Shok, Gilgit, Shigar, Drass
• Left Bank Tributaries: Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej (Panjnad)
• Indus Water Treaty: Water-sharing agreement with Pakistan

Agricultural Practices

• Subsistence Agriculture: Primarily for self-consumption
• Intensive Subsistence Farming: High productivity from small land areas
• Other types: Commercial, Organic, ZBNF, Hydroponics

Disqualification of MPs

• Absence for 60 days from Parliament without permission leads to disqualification
• Details in Article 102 of the Indian Constitution
• Defection laws under the 10th Schedule

Question Hour in Parliament

• Question Hour: 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
  • Types of Questions: Starred, Unstarred, Short Notice, Private Member
• Zero Hour: 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
• Privilege Motion: Deals with parliamentary privileges under Articles 105 and 122

Historical Context

• Battle of Buxar (1764): Key figures - Hector Munro, Shah Alam II, Shuja-ud-Daula
• Treaty of Allahabad (1765): Established British dominance

Social Reform

• Key figures: Raja Rammohan Roy, D.K. Karve, Savitribai Phule, Swami Vivekananda
• Contributions in women's education and social reforms

Scientific Concepts

• Mendelian Genetics: Laws of Dominance, Segregation, Independent Assortment
• Newland's Law of Octaves: Similar properties every eighth element

Institutions and Infrastructure

• National Institute of Oceanography: Located in Goa
• Border Roads Organization (BRO): Developed under the Ministry of Defense

Notable Achievements

• Grammy Winner: Ricky Cage for "Winds of Samsara"
• BAFTA Awards: Best film awarded to "Conclave"

This summary captures the key points discussed during the lecture, including the formation and characteristics of the Himalayas, river systems, agricultural practices, parliamentary procedures, historical events, social reformers, scientific concepts, notable institutions, and achievements in arts and culture.