Physical Features of India

The Himalayas act like a high natural wall and affect winds and climate. For exams link the Himalayas with climate and river sources.

Shiwalik is the outermost and southern range of the Himalayas. For exams remember the north to south order Himadri Himachal Shiwalik.

The Lesser Himalaya lies between Himadri and Shiwalik. For exams remember the name Himachal and its relation with Dun valleys.

Dun valleys are found between Shiwalik and Lesser Himalaya. For exams keep Dehradun as the main example.

Bhabar lies at the Himalayan foothills and Terai lies south of it. For exams remember Bhabar as pebbly and Terai as moist.

Terai is a moist and marshy belt where underground water comes near the surface. For exams remember the Bhabar Terai difference.

The Northern Plains are formed by deposits of the Indus Ganga and Brahmaputra systems. For exams remember the alluvium agriculture link.

Bhangar is old alluvium and Khadar is new alluvium. For exams remember Khadar as more fertile.

Rivers form deltas by depositing silt at their mouths. For exams link Sundarbans with the Ganga Brahmaputra Delta.

The Peninsular Plateau is a landmass of very old hard rocks. For exams remember it as older than the Himalayas.

Central Highlands lie north of the Narmada and Deccan Plateau lies south of it. For exams remember Narmada like a dividing line.

Deccan Trap formed from lava flows and its weathering forms black soil. For exams remember the black soil and cotton link.

The Deccan Plateau generally slopes eastward so many rivers drain into the Bay of Bengal. For exams study slope and river direction together.

Chotanagpur Plateau is famous for coal iron ore and other minerals. For exams remember Jharkhand and mineral resources.

Meghalaya Plateau is considered the northeastern extension of the Peninsular Plateau. For exams remember Garo Khasi Jaintia hills.

Aravalli is an old eroded range and the Himalayas are young mountains. For exams remember old versus young ranges.

Western Ghats cause orographic rainfall on the windward slope. For exams remember the Western Ghats monsoon link.

Rivers like Godavari Krishna Kaveri and Mahanadi cut across the Eastern Ghats. For exams remember river and Ghat relationship.

Narmada and Tapi are west flowing rivers and drain into the Arabian Sea. For exams remember them as special peninsular rivers.

Narmada flows through a faulted rift valley. For exams remember the valley feature of Narmada and Tapi.