2 TER

CHAP Physical Features

e
of India
Important Terms.
Lagoon:A shallow area of salt or brackish Khodar : The younger alluvnum of the flood
coastal water
from the
completely or partly separated plains are known as the khadur
open sea
by some more or less An Escarpment : An escarpment elers to
effective obstacles.
wall-ike steep slope of a ridg, foming9 a long
Tectonic plates :
Due to internal heat of the the sunounding land
earth, the
curents
of the
semi-molten rocks barrier rising above
Coral polyps : Coral polyps are short lived
move towards the crust, and tear it
dividing it into large frag1nents which apart, microscopic organisns which live in colonies
tectonic plates.
are called A Delta :lt is a
triangnular deposition of uxlmens
tiver The mver becomes slow
Theory of Plate Tectonics: It at the mouth of a
which is a theory at the mouth of the sea, so mud and silt settle
explains the fomation
the earth.
of physical features down and fom the delta. Deltas are letle land.
on
According
this theory, the crust
to An
Estuary : lt is
a narow deep valley at the
of the earth has been
formed out of seven of where
major and minor plates. The stress of the mouth or the
a river, cunents or ticdes are

results in the building up of stresses plates sirong cument of the nver itsell is swift

plates and the continental rocks above,

within the A Tributary : A tributary is that riveT which joris
the main iver, and imcreases the
folding, faulting and uolcanic actiuity. leading
voBume of waler
to
A Distributary :A
Gondwanaland:It was an ancient
distributary
is that T which
originates from a main river It is fomed near
supercontinent located in southern
hemisphere the river's mouth belore it fals into the
sea
which included the present
day South America, Gorge: he steep-sicded nairow and deep valley
Africa, Australia and Antarctica. ot a
Teral zone
river forned in ils upper course is termed
: lt is a zone next to the bhabar as a Gorge or a Canyon
which is wet and marshy.
It has a thick forest A Rift Valley : A
and a
valley formed as a of
result
cover
variety of wildlife. the subsidence
(sinking) of the land mass
Bhangar: The older alluvium of the Northerm between fwo blocks due to
laulting.
plain is called the bhangar. Sand dune : A mound or ndge low hill of
loose, windblown sand

Multiple ChoiceQuestions Mark

a1. The Theory of Plate Tectonic' is related to:
(a) Formation of sun a.2. The northern plain is
(a)
formed due to
(6) Formation of earth lgneous and metamorphic rocks
(c) Formation of atmosphere (b) Alluvial deposits
d) Fornation of universe (c) Volcanic eruplion
Ans. (b) (d) Plate tectonic movements
Ans. (b)

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 Which iis
s
a . 5 . w h i c h
thee ouremost
ange ol Hin
rang
a.5.
Q3. thegreat (b) Hirmadn
Whlch is the northernmost
(a) Shiwalik

range of
Himalayas ? (c) Makalu (d) Dhaulgn
(al Himadn (b) Himachal O.14
c) Shiwalik (d) Purvanchal Ans. (a) Ans.

Which of
the following plat a.1
Ans. a.6. river Narmada ?
south of
w h i c h is the highest peak of India ? (a) Deccan Plateau
Ans
(al Mt. Everest (b) Kanchenjunga Nagpur Plateau
(b) Chhota
tc) Makalu (d) Dhaulgin (c) Malwa Plateau a.1t
Ans. (b) (d) Central Plateau

Ans. (0 Ans
a.t

Question Bank
Questions (1 Mark each) Ans
Very Short Answer Type
Q.1, Name any four factors which are o.7. What is transtormed boundary?
Teponsible for creating and modifying the Ans. It is a boundary which is formed when h
relief to its move horizontally Passing each other"
present
form.
Ans. (a Weathering
i) Erosion o.8. What is divergent boundary ?
(i) Deposition Ans. Itis a boundary which is tormed when
{io)
move away from each other. An
Geological activities like earthquake, volcanic
erupion. etc. a.9. Name the seven major tectonicplata
Q2 What is the
theory of Plate Tectonics? Ans. () The Pacific plate.
Ans. tis a theory which
explains the tormation o () The North American plate.
physical teatures on the earth. Accorcding this (ii) The South American plate.
trieory, the crust of the earth has been formed
out of seven (iv) The Eurasian plate.
major and minor plates. The stress
ot the plates results in the (u) The African plate.
building up ol stresses
within the plates and the continental rocks above, (ui) The Indo-Australian plate.
leading to foiding. faulting and volcanic (ui) The Antarctic plate.
O.3. Which are the two main causes of rock
activity a.10. What was the Gondwanaland ?
displacement ? [CBSE 2013) Ans. It was an
ancient super
Ans. Falding, faulting and volcanic activity. continent locatæ
southem hemisphere which
Q.4. What is folding ? included the pr
day South America, Africa,
Ans. Foiding process that produces folds, or
is a Antarctica. Australia
bends, in rocks due to
compressional (sideways) Q.11.
Which is the northernmost rangi
forces acting on layers of rock in the earth's crust. Himalayas ?
a.5. What is faulting ? Ans. The Himadari.
Ans. When the rocks are subjected to tensional Q.12.
forces, Which is the outermost
they are stretched in opposite direction Due to Ans.
range of Himals
The
Shiwalik.
this
stretching the
rocks get Iractured. Such a.13. Why are the
fracturing of the rocks is called faulting. Jold mountains?
Himalayas called the
Q6. What is convergent boundary ?
Ans. The
Ans. It is a boundary which
formed due is
to the
Himalayas
recent birth. So
are not very
old, tney
movement of plates towards each other. they are called the
you
mountains.
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*****************n*sasse******************ss .EVERGREEN
Self-Study in Socisl S
 Which is the
highest peak of India ?
Kanchenyunga (8,598,m). a 26 What is the Teral Zune?
which is
thesitualed
highest? peak of the world ? Ane. Iisamne nert the Bhatar 9 e w i s s

es In t Where 1s t and murshiy I has a tick loet o e ard

willlife
Mount Everest (sis
highest peak the worldlocated
in Nepal the
the in is
is oa27.
What is
y ol
a Bhangor
ame the part of Ans.
i
Tista and the Himalayas Iylng The older
called the Blhagar
alluvium vl of t e rorttezn pieins
betwec Dihang rivers.
a28. What is Khudur ?
CBSE 2013)
Assam FHimalayas. Ans The youner alluviun of the f i l iains is kreui
Which part
Rall
of
Hmalayas ls located
as the Khaclar
between and a.29. What
Satluj rlvers ? is the local name ol the
w**tern
(CBSE 2013 Ghats in
as Kumaon limalayas.
9 Maharashtra and Karnotaka.
18 Which is the
most important and longest () Along Kerala-Tamil Nadu border.
mountain range of Himachal Hima (n Tamil Nadu.
ala ya
TCBSE2013 Ans. Sahyad
The Pir Panjal range
lorms the longest and the () Anairnalai and Cardarnon hills
most important range.
plate (i) Nikgiri
19. Name the iimalayan range lying between 0.30. Which is the
Himadri and Shiwaliks. highest peak of the Deccan

ns. Himachal or lesser Himalaya.

[CBSE 2013] plateau?
Plale The Anairnudi hill in Kerala.
20. In
are
which state Garo, Khasi and Jaintia hills Ans.
located ? Q.31. Mention any two characteristics of the
(CBSE 2013] Aravalli Hills.
Ans. Meghalaya.
Ans. () The Aravalli Hills are eroded hills
21. What duns made up of ?
are
Give an
example of the duns. (i) They extend from Gujarat to Delhi in a
Southwest-northeast direction.
ns. Duns are made up of
gravel and alluvial
The Dehradun valley is an
soil. 0.32. What is 'barchan'?
example of duns.
Ans. It is crest
022 Why are the shaped sand dune with cusp of
agricultural belt ?
Northern Plains primarily an
crescent pointirig downward.
the

a.33. By which name, the coastal plain

Ans. The Northern Plains have a thick soil cover
as in:
is known
composed of fine silt
or alluvium
brought down
by the Himalayan rivers. (0 Northern part
D23. How the northerm plain
is (I) Southern part
nd basis of the differences in the reliefon
?
the
divided Ans. () Northern part Northern Circar -

Ans. 1. Bhabar 2. Terai (i) Southern part Coromandal Coast

of 0.34. What Coral
3. Bhangar 4. Khadar. are polyps ?
024. What is distributary ? Ans. Coral polyps are short-iived microscopic
CBSE 2015 organisms which live in colories
Ans. The rivers intheir lower
course split into Q.35. Where the
numerous channels due to the deposition of silt.
situated ?
are
Lakshadweep Islands
These channels are known CBSE 1999]
distributaries.
example, Hoogly, Meghna is a distributary ol
as
ror Ans. the Arabian Sea. In

Ganga. nvEra.36. Name the mountain range which bounds

3. What is meant by doab ? Central Highlands on the northwest.
"Ans. The land between two rivers is locally knOw d CBSE 2015)
the doab. Ans. Aravali Hills.

ERGREEN Self-Study In Soctal Sclence-9...

******************a*aansa**asaa****** *********************************************eee
 Questions (3 Mark each)
ShortAnswer Type
characterised by
02 The land of India is or
physi
a Explain the theory of plate tectonic. great diversity nthets reet
statement.
cal
(CBSE 2013] Justify
Teatures.
or north,
there
s
a
vast
eparise of r u p
Ans. (0 In the
made o edihenitary
Explain the plate movenents
CBSE Sept. 2010 terrai
terrain
ocks. There
is a serles
metgmo ins with lofty
lofty peaks er o
or
nountain
chains with
pears. ereloed
and
nartoW arnd deep valleys
the types of tectonic plate plaleaus

There is a noritier plain wnich is drained

Explain
the lormation ()
movements responsible for ard
the 5rahmaptr
of relief features. fCHSE Sept. 2011, 12) the Indius. the Gang soil.
aiuviun
is m a d e up of
There are basically three lt
Ans Movemest of plates: south, there Peninsular Plte
is a
movernents af the plates au) In the
v s of which is made-up o grieous
0 Divergemit ( Cornvergernt metamorphic rocks

g Transform lauit
(i) India is bordered by codsta plains to its ean
() Divergent move
and west
ments: When the
have
plates move away a.3 What are factors which influenced and
modified the relief f e a t u r e s of India ?
from each other
the movement is Ans. () India is a large ana mass tomed durite
different geological periods. For examp
krvtwT as divergerit
the Peninsular Piateau, the oldest land ma
Fnvetnen
was formed due to the breaing and drifting
) Convergent move Mate L
of the Gondwanaland whereas the
ments: When the Himalayas and the Northern Plains are the
piates come touwards
most recent landtorms.
each other, the
novernient is krnown (n) Besides geological formations. a nuiber
processes such as weathering. eros.one
as corivergent
deposition have cTeated and moditied the
novement When
reliet to its present lorm.
two plates come
to Gomver o (it) The plate movement has also played a
gethr the'y may e important role in changing the position ard
ther colide and
size of India.
Crumbie, or one may a.4. Write four points to explain the extent
siide under the
length, width and height of the Himalayas
other At times, they
Or
rmay also move hori-
20Titally past over
Write any four features of the Himalayas.
or
one another Diver
gence and conver
Transfom Fault Boundan Write a short note on the Himalayan mou
gerice cause the crust to fracture or fald The
tains. CBSE Sept. 2010
movements of these crustal plates have Ans. () The Himalayas extend from the Indus in t
west to the Brahimaputra in the east.
chariged the position and size of the conti
rerits over millions of years. The evolution of it) The length of the Himalayas is abou
the present lardform features or relief of In- 2.400 km.
dia is a part of this process. (i) lts width vanes from 400 km in the west
(i) Transform fault boundary: Plates slide past 150 km in the east.
each other, scraping and () The height of the mountains in the
deforming as theyy
nail is greater than that in the westem a
ease
pass
 How are the Himalayas divided in the.east- Or
west direction ? (CBSE Sept. 2010,
2011] Write a short note on coral polyps.
Or
Ans. () They lourish in shallow, mud-free and warm
Name the divisions of the Himalayas on the
walers.
basis of regions irom west to east and also
() They are mainly of three kinds
write one main feature of each.
1.Barrier reet
ICBSE 2011)
The Himalayas divided into four sections 2. Fringing reef
are
in the east
west direction Atolls
the
(a Punjab Himalayas lt includes area
: (4i) The Great Burrier Reef of Australia was

between the
lying first kind of coral reejs.
lndus and the
covering
large parts of Janmu and Kashmir and
Sutlej
(iu) Atolls are circular or horseshoe shaped
parts of Himachal Pradesh. a.9. Name two water bodies lying on the east

(un Kumaon Himalayas It includes the and west coast of India. Also n a n e
two
section between the Sutej and the Kali. beautiful valleys located in Himalayas and
(un Nepal Himalayas: It includes
the section their Imporlance.
betueen the Kali and the Tista Ans. (i) The Bay ofl Bengal lies on the east coast.
(ie) Assam Himalayas : It includes the section (u) The Arabian Sea lies on the west coast.
betueen the Tista and the
Dihang Two valleys:
What is the 'bhabar ? State its two (0) Kashmir valley
Characteristics.
() Kulu valley.
(0 t is a naow belt covered with
pebbles Importance
lying along the foot of the Shiwaltks from
() These valleys are known for their fruit
the Indus to the Tista.
orchards.
( ) They are laid down by numerous streams
(1) They draw a large number of tourists every
descending down the hilis
year from all over the world. India e a m s
a
I) The pebbled beds are parallel to the slope
lot of foreign exchange ihrough them.
of the river bed
a.10. Write three facts which prove that
o) This belt is about 8 to 16 km in width.
physiographic divisions of India are
Write any four major characteristics of the
northem plains of India.
complementary to each other. [CBSE 1999]
Or Or
Describe the Northern Great plains of "Each physiographic region of India
India. ICBSE Sept. 2010) complements to other and makes the
plains have been formed of alluvial country richer in its natural resources.
Aas. () These
Explain this statement with four examples.
sol which have been deposited by the river
system comprising9 the Ganga. the ICBSE 2010, 2011, 12]
Brahmaputra and the Indus and their Or
tributaries
The land of Indla displays great physical
ol about
(u) These pBairs spread over an area
variations", Justify by glving examples.
7 lakh square kilormetres.
) It is a dersely populated phiysiogaphic unit. ICBSE Sept. 2011)
With reference to corals, answer the Or
The diverse physical features of India are
following questions: of Immense value'. Justify the statement by
Where do they flourish ?
(n What are their three kinds 7 giving suitable examples.
in) Give an example of the barrier reef CBSE Sept. 2011]
kind of coral reefs. Ans. ) The northern mountains are the major
(h) What is the shape of the atolls ? sources of water and forest wealth.

ERGREEN Sef-Seudy In Socil Science-9. ******** de *********a** **********

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 Delhi. U P. Bihar, partly
Jharkhas
.

() The northem plains are the granaries ol he Bengal

cOuntry They provide the base for e a y ( The Branmapua iein parti.
mainly in H5sa. t lorms
civilisations ne
ine islands in the s
world.
h e plateau is a storehouse of minerals, which
a.14. Mention any es of
the p
eninaud
crucial role in the industrialisation
uaeda
S plateau.

of the country tableland compose

It is a
ot
(u) The coastal region and island groups provVae Ans rUstalline, igneouS and metamon
C y s t a i
the r
the h i c
siles for fishing and port activities () It
was lormed due to
Gondwanaleaki

me the
What is dun ? Give examples from of

at a
dritting
part of the oldest
Himalayan region. making it
à
land r
DrOad and sholle
Ans. A dun is a narow longitudinal valley lying
befveen the Shwaliks and the lesser Humalayas
in The plaleau nas
(if) and rounded hills allow ualle
Ihese are tomed by the deposition of sedimenis. (iv) The plateau consists of two broa
i
he Kashmir ualey and the Kathmandu aliey namely, the central Highland. and
of dun
Deccan Plateau.
t
Bre exampies valleys
the formation of the
Northern a.15. What is Purvanchat
Explain ICBSE Sept. 2011,
Plains.
Doundary of b 2013
Himalayan uplift out of the Tethys sea
Ans. e e
Mountains along Purvanchal. Theof
Ans. (
The of the called the re
subsidence of the northem flank
are
and
medium height. Some
of the
Peninsular Plateau resulted in the tormalion
mountains of the Purvanchal are
of a large basin. mounte
The Patkai Bum and the Naga
1) In due course of time this depression, ()
north.
Hls in te
gradually got filled with deposition o
Hills in the south.
sediments by the rivers flowing from the (it) The Mizo
(ii) The Jaintia, the nasi and the Garo hils
mountains in the north and the Peninsular
from east to west.
Plateau in the south.
(in) A flat land of extensive alluvial deposits led 1o
Q.16. Write three
facts about Lakshadwees
ot India Islands. CBSE 2000
the formation of the northern plains
a.13. Which three river systems form the norihem Ans. (a) These lie opposite to the coast of Kerala.
(b) They are the product of a very quiet wor
Mention main leafures.
plains of India ?
ICBSE 2013,15) of the short-lived miCrOScopic species-the
coral polyps.
Or (c) They are 27 in number and abou
into which Northem
Name the three sections 17 1slands are
uninhabited.
one feature
has been divided. Write
plain capital of te
of each.
ICBSE 2015) (d) The Kavaratti island is the
Union Territory of Lakshadweep.
has been formed by the
Ans. The northem plain the formation of the Peninsular
three systems-the a.17. Explain
interplay of the major river Plateau.
Indus, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra.
Ans. (i) The Peninsular Plateau
is the oldest land
Features mass of India.
and its tmbutaries form
(i) The nver Indus due to the breaking and
thewesterm of the northern plain
part
(i) It was formed
the Gondwanaland.
the Punjab plains. drifting of
which is refemed to as importan
(i) Volcanoes have also played
an
The part of
larger
this plain lies in
role in shaping the Plateau.
Pakistan. between (iv) Weathering, erosion, and
deposition ha
extends
(t) The Ganga plain to t5 p r e
modified the relief
Ghaggar and Teesta rivers. It spreads CTealed and
India; Haryana, lorm.
over the states of North

*EVERGREEN
Self-Study in Socal Sc
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 Haw did
the northern plains
come to
nistence? write two points briefly. Also
a21. Write a note on
corals.
CBSE 1998 C, Sept. 2010]
meaion heo features of these plalns.
or
CBSE 2000, Sept. 2012] Name two

The northem pians have been formed

How are coral formed?
reetfsreefs.
by examples of coral
the interplay of the three major river [CBSE Sept. 2010. 2011)
indus, the Ganga and the animals
SSrahmaputa.
e Ans. Corals are smal.
with a calcareous homy skeleton.
sedentary marine
a The northem pian s fomed of the alluvial
(10) These thrive in warm shallow water and
sol ancught by these rivers. grow into large colonies called coral reefs.

Fearurts (ii) They secrete hard rock like substance. The

These piains coral sectetion and their skeletons form coral
are very fertile.
Thest deposits in the form of reefs.
are densely polulated
mainly of three kinds: bamer
What is the difference between a tributary (iu) They are

and a distributary ? reet, fringing reef and atolis.

() The Great Barier Reef of Australia and
Atbutary s tnat nver
which joins the main
me and nCTeases Lakshadweep Islands are a good example
the voiume of water. It is
gemeral tourd in the upper or the middle course of the first kind of coral reefs
of a uer For example-the Yamuna is the main 2 Write about the main features of the Greater
ibutary of the river Himalayas or the Himadri.
Ganga
A distributary It is that river which ICBSE Sept. 2011, 12]
orginares rom a main river. It is formed near Ans. lt is the loftiest ot all.
he river s mauth betore it falls into the
sea. lt () All the high peaks of the Himalayas belong
s tound in the lower course of the to this range. Mt. Everest (5848 m) and
river. For
enampie. the Hooghly is the main distributary Kanchenjunga (8598 m) both are in this
of the Ganga pan.
A Name the three parallel ranges of the (13) his always remains covered with snow with
Hinalayas. and state one typical an average height of about 6000 m.
characteristic of each. [CBSE 1997, 2012] (ru) The core of this range is
made-up of granite
pr and metamorphic rocks.
which are the three main ranges of the 0.23. Write about the main features of the
Himalayas ? Describe briefly. Himachal ICBSE Sept. 2010, 2011]
CBSE Sept. 2010, 2011) Ans. 0 They have an average height of around
The Himadn (Greater Himalaya) 3.700 m to 4.500 m above the sea level.
and extend over a width of 50 km.
The Himachal (Lesser Himalaya
(4) The ranges are mainly cornposed of highly
The Stiwaliks Outer Himalaya).
compressed and altered rocks.
Tgpical character of each:
(ii) All the important hill stations such as
The Himadri: The Himadri is the loftiest of Daihousie, Dharamshala, Shimla, Mussoorie,
a Athe igh peaks belong to this range Nainital and Darjeeling belong to this range.
T h e Himachal : Al the important hil stations (iv) Pir Panjal. Dhaula Dhar and Mahabharat
uch as Dahousie, Dharamshaia and Shimla ranges are the most important
beiong to this ranges.
range a 24. Write about the main
features of the
T h e Shiwalik range: Th are made-up Shiwaliks.
unconsolidated [CBSE Sept. 2011]
of river deposits, and are Ans.
( It is the outermost range of the
prone to erthquckes and ndsides Himalayas.
(u) The average altitude of the Shiwalik range

EVERCagEN Seif-Scady in Social Sclence-. ss***************** ***************************************************

17-G
 befween Northern
Nor
rn plalne n
(CBSE 201010
Distinguish
Peninsular plateau.

027
ve

and 1.100
m above
between 900 m
aries
he
sea level, and
about 1050 km.
extends

derial such as nud, sihofand soff ocks and

over a
wan Ans.
A ns.

The
N o r t h e r m

The Northern piai"

Plains
The

h
PeninsularPlale.
The Peninsular plate
covers
e Penins
the southe
unconsolidarea
is made
nis
range of the
south
extends,
and landslicles
sprone to earthquakes Himalayas, from part ol India.
lound between
tn
u
ome narow valleys
are

Shiwaliks and the Himachal They arecaled

Punjab to the
roughly iriangular
duns. Dehradun, for example,
sifualeu
is Brahma valley in shape with its
in one such valley differences
the north and
base t
between
A S s a m

top in
25 State any three
Himadri range and Shiwalik range.
south. nth
(CBSE 2012)
It comprises
() drainage
hree
t comprises
Ans. basins, viz.,
divisions. The Cent
Himadri Range Shiwalik Range
the
Indus
and

and
the

the
Highlands cover i
northern part. I
( It is the innermost or 0 It is the outermost Ganga plains

northernmost range Tange of Himalayas. Brahmaputra valley. southern part

of Himalayas
Deccan plaleau, the
() ts average height is) Its
6,000 metres
height900varies has perennial rivers (1i) It has rivers
between and (i) It which a
1100 metres. which are both only rainied.
(i)) The core of this part i ) These ranges are snowfed and rainfed.
They a
seasonal in characte
of Himalayas is compased of uncon-
composed of granite The land is largely |iu) lt is a tableland
solidated sediments plain or undulating,
brought down by
rivers from the main
composed of old
covered with fertile
Himalas
ocated fa n
nges alluvial soils. The
crystalline, igneous and
located tarther north.
general slope of land
metamorphic rocks
The terrain is
a26. How is Himadri range different from is very less. very
Himachal range ? Mention any three uneven.

ns.
differences. (CBSE2011] h e rivers provide (u) Irigation facil

water for good

limited. Tank imigationm
Himadri irrigation facilities and
Himachal is important. River
()
This range is the () navigation. Irrigation
highest of Himalayas Himachal high as Himadri. lts
is
not so is by wells and canals.
courses do not
pem
with an average much navigation.
height of 6,00po average height is (i) These river
between 3.700 and valleys or
(ui) This region is general
metres.
4,500 metres basins are very
(i)
This range
thickly moderately populated
loftiest contains (i) This range contains populated and It has some
peaks. hil stations. Example: agriculturally deve- pocket d
Example:Kanchen
Junga and Nanda Shimla and Nainital.
loped.
dense population.
Deu. Agriculture is importa
(40) This range is in the
covered
always (ii) It snows
delta regions
here in
with show. winler
18-G
**.EVERGREEN Self-Study In Socdal Sden
 Distinguish befween the Himalayas and
the Purvanchal Hills by Or
points. giving any thre Explain any three features ol Decan
TCBSE 2011]
Plateau. (CHSE Sept. 2011, 2013
Himalayas Or
Purvanchal Hlls Which is the oldest land mass of Indi?
H ies in the
northem (It lies along the broad divisions and expiain
part of the country
north-eastem par of Name its two
any three features ol cach.
the country
t lies tn the west ICBSE Sept. 2012)
to (4) lt lies the north to
in
east diecTHon.
SOuth diection
Ans. The Great Peninaular Piateai lies

the great plains and is the oldest lated matis

t is tormed by
high (n) These hills are mostly
India. It is triangular in sthate. The river arnade
Tanges. sow covered composed of strong
peaks. deep valleys
and tas Dung nvers
sand stones which are divides it into two parts
sedimentary rocks. (0) The Central Highiands t) The Derzan Paieau
inchades ranges Such () lt
incdudes ranges such T h e Central Highlands is made up f tard
as Himadri, lesser
as Naga hills, Mizo gneous ard meamiophic rocs
Himalayas and hills and Patkai hills. I t comprises the Malwa Plateau, the smal
Shtwaliks. plateau of Bundelkhar.d and the Chhota
Differentiate between Western
Himalayas Nagpur Plateau while the Western Ghats
and Easterm Himalayas. (CBSE Sept. 2010] extend to the west of the Deccar Pateau
Western Himalayas Eastern Himalayas Chambal, Sind and Betwa are tree mpprart
(0 These ivers which flow through the Ceritral Hgtiards
over
are
Jammu
spread
&
These are spread
over Bengnl Sikkim. The Deccan Plateau :
Kashmir, Himachal Bhutan
Pradesh. Uttara ana
Arunachal Pradesh. Itis atriangular landmas that lies to the south
khand and Uttar of river Narmada
Pradesh. I t is higher in the west and siopes genly
The Western() These are odf medium eastwards.
Himaiayas are veryy height. I t is the largest urit of the Perirsuler Platea
high of India.
i) The Indus and the| () The Brahmaputra is
Sutlej are main the
main niver which a.31. Distinguish between Central highlands and
rivers which pass passes thrOugh these Deccan plateau on the basis of rivers that
thiough the Western and lalls into the Bay
flow through hill ranges. [CBSE Sept. 2013]
Himalayas and fall of Bengal
into the Arabian
Ans.
Sea.

) ihe average annual(u) The average annual Central Highlands Deccan Plateau
raintall is less than rainfall is more than (i) The Central Highlands (i) The Deccan piateau is
100 cm. 200 am. are wider in the west a triangular iand
() Srinagar, Shimla. ) Darjeeling and but narrower in the mass.
Shillong are the
Manali are the east
famous hil stations famous hil stafions () The rivers draining this () The nvers draining this
found in the Westerm found in the Easterm Tegion are the region are the Tap
Himalayas. Himalayas
Chambal, the Sind, the the Krishna. the
five main features of the Great Betwa and the Ken.
a30. Explain
Peninsular Plateau of Indla.
Godavari. the Kaven.
ii) The hills lying n this ui) The hills lying in ths
(CBSE 1998 (D)) region are the region are he
or Vindhya range and Mahade: the Kaim
Describe the Peninsular Plateau of India. the Aravalli hills and the Makal
CBSE Sept. 2010

EMERGREEN Self-Scudy In Socal Sclence-9.. aere*a********** ************************************************ 19-G

 oy How would you divide he
plains It wet arnd marshy t has a thick
on the basis of reliet ?
onhem () Tarai : is
10rest and a varnety ol widi.te
CBSE Sept. 2010, 2011,
(Bhabar : it is narow belt covered2013
lt composed of old
with (in The Bhangar: is

ailuviurn. it s torrned igher uP in the pains

pebbles ya aong the toot of the Shiwaliks at river teraces It is less fertile as compared
from the naus 1o the Tista
down by
They are laid to KRhadar.

down the
numerous streams descending (lo) Khadar : i is composed of new alluium
hills. he
pebbled beds are is formed in the lower levels in the plairs
parallel to the slope ol the rver bed. This near the nvers It is very lertiie
belt is about 8 to 16 kn in width

NCERT EXERCISE
Choose 1he right from the four
answer
alternatives glven below. (to) Name the three major of
divisions the
from the north to the south.
(0 A Himalayas
land mass bounded by sea on three
sides is relerred fo as Ans. (a) The Himadri (b) The Himachal
(a) Coast (c) Peninsula (c) The Shiwalik
b) Island (d) None of the three (o) Which plateau lies between the Aravalli
Ans. Peninsula and the Vindhyan ranges ?
)Mountain ranges In the eastem part of India Ans. The Malwa Plateau
foming its
boundary with Myanmar are
collectively called as (e) Name the island group of India having a
(a) Himachal coral origin.
(b) Uttarakhand
Ans. The Lakshadweep
(c) Purvanchal (d) None of the above
0.3. Distinguish between
Isands
Ans. Purvanchal
() The
western
is referred to as
coastal strip, south of Goa (0 Converging and diverging tectonic
plates. ICBSE 2015]
(o) Coromandal (b) Konkan
() Kannad (d) Northen Clircar
(1) Khadar and Bhangar
CBSE Sept. 2010, 12]
Ans. Konkan GHn Western Ghats and Easterm Ghats.
(to) The highest peak in the Eastern Ghats is CBSE Sept. 2010, 2011, 12)
(a) Anaimudi (b) Kanchenjunga Ans. )
(c) Mahendragiri (d) Khasi Converging piares Diverging plates
Ans. Mahendragiri ) If the plates are f the plates move
0.2 Ansuwer the following questions brieffy. pusned toether to away trom each
each oher,. hey are other, they are
What are
tectonic plates? calied the called the dhverging
Ans. The crust of the earth has been formed out convergng plates
the
plates
and some
ofThese plates majorbeen
seven have minor plates.
named as tectonic
() These plates fom ) These
spread the
nountAiris.
plates.
(u)
(0 Which continents of today were pat of Converging plates (i) Drerant plates are
the Gondwanaland ? are destructive said to be

Ans. Asia, Australia, Africa and South America because they resuit
in tre removal of a
onstructive
because they add
( ) What is the 'bhabar' ? part ot ihe surface. materials to the
Ans. The zone of soil which spreads along the crust
crustal surtace
Shiwalik foothills. The soil in the region is
coarse with lots of pebbles.

eERGREEN Sell-Study in Soclal Sclence-... s************nsssnete*******************************************************

 of the
a.35. Compare the main features western
of the Indian Coastal Plain and Eastern Coastal Plain
Give a brief description
a.32. ICBSE Sept. 2010, 2011
Desert.
Or Ans. Western Coastal PlainEastern Coastal Plain
Indian
features of the
Describe the four (0) The plain is located 0 The plain is loxalo
CBSE Sepl. 2010)
desert. between the Westem between the Eaten
the
lies towards the
western margin of
Ans. () t Ghat and the Ghats end the coaut
Aravalli Hills. of Bay of rnl
Arabian Sea coast.
covered with
(i) It is an undulating sandy plain () It
sand dunes
(i) It is a narrow plain is
comparatively
with an average broader plain with
climate with little rainfal
(i) The region has harsh width of about average width of
areas but
(iu) The Barchans cover larger around BO 100 kan
more prominent
64 km.
longitudinal dunes become
(iti) There are several( Very lew lagoors are
near Indo-Pakistan border.
the
lagoons especially in formed
a.33. Differentiate between the Lakshadweep
Islands and the Andaman and Nicobar the southern part.
ICBSE Sept. 2012) (iv) Kandla, Mumbai. (i) Tuticorin, Cherrai,
Islands.
Ans. Andaman & Nicobar Marmagao, Cochin Parackep, Veshakh
Lakshadweep are the main patnarn are the
located in ) They are located in
0 They are Tiajor ports on Ihe
the Arabian Sea. the Bay of Bengal. ports.
eastem coast.

(i) They are located (i) They are localed far (o) No big delta is (o) Large deltas are
near the Indian away from the Indian
lomed. fomed
coastline. coastline
(ii) They are very much
(in) They are
compara a.36. Give a brief discription about two Island
tively less scattered. scattered
groups ot India. [CBSE Sept. 2010
(itv) They are small. (iv) They are compa-
Or
ratively bigger
Which group of islands is located in
a.34. Analyse is the difference between a gorge Arabian Sea ? Write any four features of
and a rift valley. these Islands. [CBSE Sept. 2011, 12)
Ans. Ans. () Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar
Gorge Rift Valley Islands are the main islands of India.
() A deep steep sided ) A rift valley is the (i) Lakshadweep is located 300 km west of the
and valley which is lomed coast of Kerala in the Arabian Sea.
narow
valley of
a niver fomed in its as a result of the
(ii) The Lakshadweep Islands are a group of 36
upper course. subsidence (sinking) of islands.
the landmarks
(iv) The Lakshadweep lslands were fommertly knoum
between two blocks. as Laccadive, Minicoy and Amindivie Islands.
) A gorge is formed i) Arift valley is formed they were renaned Lakshadweep in 1973.
due to erosion. due to faulting (o) The Lakshadweep is the tiniest Union
(Gi) g., the
e
Brahma-j(i) eg. the Grvat Rift valley lerritory in terms of area.
putra and the Indus of Africa or the
region (ui) Kavaratti Island is the headquarter of
Gorge between Satpura and Lakshadweep Islands.
Vindhya range. (uii) Andaman and Nicobar Islands are located in
the Bay of Bengal.
(viil) The southermmost point of India. called the
Indira point, is located in the great Nicobar
3OSIsland.
2
*********************************************************************** EVERGREEN Self-Study In Socal Sclence-
 Or
Bhangar Compare the rellel
of
Himalayas with tha
Khalar of Peninsular Paleau. TcBSE Sept. 2010
allhavnun 0 i an
okl allvium Great Mountains of
the Noth.
(0 tis Ans. () The
a nw

contain ( ) i
contains
the kankur Indian Plain.
() The North
not
() Ir does nodules with calcaun

the kunkur nohules

Peninsular Plateau.
(i) The
cabonals

Itis less ertie Plains.

i) t s vwry lertile () (iu) The Coastal
e upper (u) The Islands.
() It is lound in
the o) his
kouncd in
lower levels in h e
cOure of the n e r
Q.6. Give an account of the Northern Plalns of
plais India.
pr
Eastern Ghats Explain the major characteristics of the
Western Ghats
(H) Northern Plains of India.
localed
(0) They a r e
() They are
located on
east coast ICBSE Sept. 2013
the west coast f on the or
of India
India much Which three river systems form the
() They are less wide. (i) They are

wIde.
Northern Plains ? Explain
the diverse relid
areand broken by features of the Northem Plains.
(n) They are unbrokem (ii) They
small fast
[CBSE Sept. 2011]
flowing rivers. Ans. () Formation: The Northen Plain has been lormed
is
(Go) The highest peak is (iu) The highest peak by the interplay of the three major mver systems
the Mahendragin. and the
theAnaimudi namely-the Indus, the anga
Brahmaputra along with their tmibutanes.
(o) They are the source (u) No major rivers
originate Irom the
orivers like (1) Area covered : lt spreads over an area of
Eastern Ghats.
Godavari, Krishna, 7 lakh sq. km. The plain, being about
ana
Kaveri. 2400km long and 240 to 320 km broad, is
a densely populated physiographic divison.
Q.4. Describe how the Himalayas were formed.
ICBSE Sept. 2010, 2011) (in Economic importance : With a rich sol
cover combined with adequate water supply
Ans. The conuection currents and the lateral
and favourable climate it is agricuturally a very
were responsible for the
compressional forces productive part of India.
of the Himalayas or the Great
formation (o) Division of Plain : The plain is broadly
Himalayan Range. divided into three sections:
of the an
(4) India was a part Gondwanaland, (i) Punjab plains
ancient supercontinent, crores of years ago.

(i) The covection currents of the mante fractured (in) The Ganga plains
the Gondwanaland intoa number of pieces. (ii) The Brahmaputra plains.
On the basis of the difference in the relief, the
(ii) The Indo-Australian plate after getting
plain is divided into four sections:
separated from the Gondwanaland drifted
(i) Bhabar () Tarai
slowly towards the north which cllided with
ii) Bhangar (iv) Khadar
the Eurasian plate in the northem hemisphere.
Q.7. Write short notes on the following:
(iv) The northern edge of the Indo-Australian (o) The Indian Desert ICBSE Sept. 2011
plate was pushed beneath the Eurasian plate. (b) The Central Highlands
(u) Under the impact of collision, the (c) The Island groups of India.
sedimentary rocks of the enclosed ocean Ans. (a) The Indian Desert:
were folded to form the Himalayas. (i) It lies to the west of the Aravalli Range.
Q.5. Which are the major physiographic () It occupies a major part of the state of
divisions of India ? Contrast the relief of Rajasthan, and extends upto Sind in

the Himalayan region with that of the Pakistan as the Thar Desert.
Peninsular Plateau. Textbook Q.4]

22-G ******************************************************************************************
EVERGREEN Self-Study In Soclal Sclence
 (ari The lancl is geerally sundy and covered srnal coral islands
Thee are composed ol
with sand soil compared to the
b These are small in size as

(o) The ejon s dry with harndly Andaman and Nicobar Islands
any rive
(o) Luni 1s the only iver in this region Andaman and Nicobar Islands :

(b) For answer eler Q. No 30, Short Answer Type »These are located in the Bay of Bengal
Questions. and more
These are
bigger in size, are

(e) Lakshadweep Islands: These lie close to umerou5 and scattered.

the Malabar coast of Kerala in the Arabian These islands are an elevated portion of the
Sea. submarine mountains

Creating, Analysing and Evaluation Based Questions-

o Explain how the Himalayas act as a boon thus helping India in prospering in peace
for India.
CBSE Sept. 2011] times.
Aps. () The Hinalayas act like a natural wall that in the north are
(iv) The mountain regions
keeps the fertile Indo-Gangetic plains sale climatic role also.
from the cold, bleak winds from the north.
important due to their
These mountains play a pivotal role in
(t) The Himalayas cause the monsoon winds to causing rains in the northern plains by
shower the life giving rains on the valleys and the m o n s o o n winds. In the
the plains to their south.
obstructing
absence of this barrier, much of northern
(ii) These are the sOurces of inportant rivers like India would have been a desert. This
the Ganga,
the Indus, etc region is important for large forest and
waler power resources.
(iv) The Himalayas are covered with thick forests
the source of numerous 0.3. What is the importance of Northern plains ?
which are
materials.
raw
Or
a "Each physiographic reglon of Indla Why is the Northem plain densely populated?
Glve any three reasons.
complements to other and makes the
country icher in Iis nafural resources."Ans. () With their fertile alluvial soils, flat surface, slow
Explain this statement with four examples. moving perennial rivers and favourable
Ans. () The northem plains are among the rmost fertile the Great Plains of North India are
climate,
ol great economic and social
agricultural areas in the world. Due to fertile
soil and abundant water supply these plains
significance
() The fertile soil and assured water resources
are the most important producers of have made these plains a rich agricultural
agriculture products. Besides loodgrains, land. These plains are the granaries of India.
these plains are a source of industrial rauw (4i) The plains have a good network of roads and
materials such as cotton, jule and sugarcane. railways which has led to large-scale
(i) The Peninsular Plateau is important for the industrialisation of the region.
mineral resources. It has large reserves of (iv) As the region has sufficient
minerals such as coal, iron ore and many employment
opportunities, so the density of population is
other important minerals. The plateau region
also produces many crops
high. More than 50% of the total population
such
as oilseeds, of India lives in these plains.
pulses and millets. The coastal plains are also
important for agricutural products. (u) The Northern Plains are the site where the
(iu) The mountains of the north have, in the past, ancient civilisation of Mohenjodaro and
prolected lndia from invasions from the north Harappa developed.

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