Physical Features of India

The Himalayan branches in Northeast India are called Purvanchal. For exams remember Patkai Naga Mizo hills.

Dun valleys are found between Shiwalik and Lesser Himalaya. For exams remember Dehradun as an example.

Terai is a moist and marshy region south of Bhabar. For exams remember the Bhabar Terai sequence.

Bhabar has pebble deposits through which water goes down. For exams remember porous ground.

Bhangar means old and Khadar means new alluvial soil. For exams remember the difference between them.

The Himalayas lie in the north of India like a natural boundary and barrier. For exams remember their location.

Rivers carry sediments such as soil, silt and sand from higher regions. Their deposition in low-lying areas over a long time forms extensive alluvial plains. Erosion wears away and removes material; although it supplies sediments, the actual building of plains mainly occurs through deposition. Exam tip: if a river is shown laying down silt or sand, identify the process as deposition.

A delta forms when deposits collect at the mouth of a river. For exams remember the Ganga Brahmaputra Delta.

Sundarbans is famous for the Ganga Brahmaputra Delta and mangrove forests. For exams remember the Bengal region.

The Peninsular Plateau is a stable landmass made of ancient hard rocks. For exams remember it as an old plateau.

Black soil forms from lava regions of the Deccan Trap. For exams remember its link with cotton.

Western coastal plains are narrow between Western Ghats and Arabian Sea. For exams compare them with the eastern coast.

The eastern coastal plain is broader than the western coast. For exams remember delta formation.

India’s western coastal plain extends along the Arabian Sea from Gujarat to Kerala. Therefore, the Arabian Sea is the correct answer. The Bay of Bengal is associated with India’s eastern coastal plain, while the Red Sea and the Sea of Japan do not border India. Exam tip: remember Arabian Sea in the west and Bay of Bengal in the east.

Eastern coastal plains extend along the Bay of Bengal. For exams remember deltas of east flowing rivers.

Passes are routes of movement and contact in mountain regions. For exams see major passes on maps.

The Thar Desert is India’s major hot desert, with most of it located in Rajasthan. The Sundarbans is a delta region, while the Nilgiris are mountains, so neither is a desert. Exam tip: The Thar Desert is also called the Great Indian Desert.

Andaman and Nicobar are among India's major island groups. For exams remember the Bay of Bengal.

Physical features are understood quickly by identifying them on a map. For exams practice maps a little daily.

Cardamom Hills are considered part of the Western Ghats in South India. For exams connect Nilgiri Annamalai and Cardamom hills with South India.