Physical Features of India

Karakoram and Himalaya are linked with high mountain and glacial regions in northern India. For exams link the northern mountain system with map reading.

Himadri is the highest inner range and Shiwalik is the outer range. For exams remember the north south order of ranges.

Himalayan rivers get water from both glaciers and rainfall. For exams remember the link between source and flow.

Eastern Himalaya bends in Northeast India to form the Purvanchal Hills. For exams remember Patkai Naga and Mizo hills.

Dun valleys are sedimentary valleys formed between Shiwalik and Lesser Himalaya. For exams take Dehradun as a major example.

Bhabar is porous and in Terai the water table comes near the surface. For exams distinguish the Bhabar Terai sequence.

Khadar is new flood alluvium while Bhangar is older alluvial area. For exams do not reverse the two.

Brahmaputra carries high silt and water causing channel shifts and island formation. For exams remember Majuli.

Ganga and Brahmaputra bring heavy silt and form an extensive delta at the mouth. For exams link delta with deposition.

Sundarbans is a mangrove region in a saline tidal delta. For exams remember the tide salinity and mangrove link.

The Peninsular Plateau is a stable landmass made of hard ancient rocks. For exams remember it as older than the Himalayas.

The slope of the Central Highlands directs many rivers toward the Ganga Yamuna system. For exams remember Chambal Betwa Ken.

Narmada flows westward through a rift valley between Vindhya and Satpura. For exams remember this spatial order.

Deccan Trap is a step like landform made of basaltic lava layers. For exams link Trap with step like form.

Black soil has good water retention and cracks on drying. For exams link it with cotton and Deccan.

Chotanagpur is a plateau region rich in ancient rocks and minerals. For exams remember coal and iron ore.

Meghalaya Plateau appears separated from the main Peninsular Plateau by plains. For exams remember Garo Khasi Jaintia.

Aravalli is very old and eroded while Himalaya is a young fold mountain. For exams remember the age difference.

Moist monsoon winds strike the Ghats causing rain and rain shadow on the other side. For exams remember the term windward.

East flowing peninsular rivers cut across the Eastern Ghats and reach Bay of Bengal. For exams remember Eastern Ghats as discontinuous.

Nilgiri Hills are linked with the contact zone of both Ghats in South India. For exams identify them through maps.

Anamudi is a major high peak of Western Ghats and Doddabetta is linked with Nilgiri. For exams keep southern peaks separate.

Narmada and Tapi are west flowing rivers linked with rift valleys. For exams remember them as exceptions.

Large rivers deposit silt on the eastern coast and form deltas. For exams remember Mahanadi Godavari Krishna Kaveri.

Western Ghats lie close to the sea so the western coastal plain remains narrow. For exams compare western and eastern coasts.