Class 9 Social Science - Geography: Northern Plains

Welcome and Introduction

• Instructor: Shweta Chakku, Social Science Educator
• Platform: Magnet Brains
  • Provides video courses for Kindergarten to Class 12
  • Offers courses for various boards (CBSE, Bihar, UP, MP, Rajasthan, Delhi)
  • Free of cost
  • Includes daily practice papers, e-books, e-notes (link in description)

Recap: Himalayan Mountains

• Himalayan system is geologically the youngest
• Divided into three categories (longitudinal extent):
  • Himadri (Greater/Inner Himalayas)
  • Lesser Himalayas (Himachal)
  • Shivalik (Outer Himalayas)

Today's Topic: Northern Plains

• Formed by the interplay of three major river systems and their tributaries:
  • Indus River
  • Ganga River
  • Brahmaputra River
• Made of alluvial soil (Jalod Mittee), which is very fertile
• Key Details:
  • Spread over 7 lakh sq. km
  • Length: ~2400 km
  • Width: 240-320 km

Key Plain Areas

• Punjab Plains (Indus Plains)
  • Western part of the Northern Plains
  • Formed by Indus and its tributaries (Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Satluj)
  • Larger part lies in Pakistan
  • Known as Punjab because 'Panj' means five and 'aab' means water (5 rivers)
• Ganga Plains
  • Area between Ghaggar and Teesta rivers
  • Covers parts of:
    • Haryana
    • Delhi
    • UP
    • Bihar
    • Jharkhand
    • West Bengal
• Brahmaputra Plains
  • Located east of the Ganga Plains
  • Covers most of Assam and parts of North-East states
  • Drained by Brahmaputra River

Unique Feature: Majuli Island

• Majuli: Largest inhabited riverine island
  • Formed by Brahmaputra River

Variations in Northern Plains

• Contrary to belief, they are not entirely flat
• Divided into four regions based on relief features:
  • Bhabar
    • Narrow belt (8-16 km) parallel to Shivalik slopes with pebbles and boulders
    • Streams disappear underground
  • Terai
    • South of Bhabar
    • Marshy and swampy area
    • Re-emergence of rivers
    • Highly forested, rich in wildlife
  • Bangar
    • Larger part of Northern Plains
    • Made of older alluvium (Old deposits)
  • Khadar
    • Newer alluvial soil (younger deposits from flood plains)
    • Highly fertile, renewed annually
    • Ideal for intensive agriculture

Conclusion

• The Northern Plains are diverse in relief and highly fertile
• Himalayas end, making way for the formation of these plains through the river systems
• Video courses on Magnet Brains available for various subjects and boards, along with e-notes and e-books