Physical Features of India

Introduction

• Focus: Physical features of India for Class IX.
• Delayed start, celebrating 100,000 subscribers.
• Chapter schedule: 1 hour, with important questions and revision.

Main Physical Features of India

1. Himalayan Mountains
2. Northern Plains
3. Peninsular Plateau
4. Indian Desert
5. Coastal Plains
6. Islands

Himalayan Mountains

• Three parallel ranges: Himadri (Great Himalayas), Himachal (Lesser Himalayas), Shivalik (Outer Himalayas)
• Formation: Collision of Eurasian Plate and Indo-Australian Plate
• Himadri (Greater Himalayas): Northernmost and innermost, average height 6000m, includes peaks like Mount Everest, K2.
• Himachal (Lesser Himalayas): Middle range, 3700-4500m height, includes hill stations.
• Shivalik (Outer Himalayas): Southernmost, composed of unconsolidated sediments, low heights, easily crossable.

Longitudinal Divisions of Himalayas

• Divided into four sections: Punjab Himalayas, Kumaon Himalayas, Nepal Himalayas, Assam Himalayas.
• Includes Purvanchal Ranges (Eastern Hills) like Patkai Hills, Manipur Hills, etc.

Northern Plains

• Spread over states: Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal.
• Size: 7 lakh sq km, very fertile and agriculturally rich.

Features of Northern Plains

• Divisible into regions like Bhabar, Terai, Bhangar, Khadar.
• Bhabar: Narrow belt close to Shivaliks, composed of pebbles.
• Terai: Marshy land, re-emergence of rivers.
• Bhangar: Older alluvium, slightly elevated.
• Khadar: Newer alluvium, fertile.
• Important river systems: Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra.

Peninsular Plateau

• Oldest landmass, triangular area.
• Divided into Central Highlands and Deccan Plateau.
• Central Highlands: North of Narmada, includes Malwa Plateau, Bundelkhand, Chhota Nagpur Plateau.
• Deccan Plateau: South of Narmada, flanked by Western and Eastern Ghats.
• Western Ghats: Continuous range, high peaks like Anaimudi.
• Eastern Ghats: Discontinuous range, Mahendragiri as significant peak.

Indian Desert

• Located in Western margins of Aravallis.
• Sandy terrain, low rainfall (<150mm/year).
• Thar Desert: Dominated by sand dunes (Barchans).
• Luni River: Major river of this region.

Coastal Plains

• Western Coastal Plain: Narrow, divided into Konkan Coast (Mumbai to Goa), Kannad Plain, Malabar Coast.
• Eastern Coastal Plain: Wide, divided into Northern Circars and Coromandel Coast.

Islands

• Lakshadweep: Coral islands, close to Malabar Coast.
• Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Elevated parts of submerged mountain ranges, divided into Andaman (north) and Nicobar (south).

Significance of Diversity in Physical Features

• Mountains: Source of rivers, forest wealth, strategic importance.
• Plains: Agricultural productivity, dense population.
• Plateaus: Mineral resources, industrial base.
• Deserts: Unique ecosystems, potential for mining.
• Coastal plains and islands: Fishing, trade, tourism.
• Rivers: Water resources, hydroelectric power, cultural significance.

End of Lecture: Summary and next steps. Encouragement for further reading.