Physical Features of India

Antecedent rivers keep cutting their old course even after mountain uplift. For exams remember deep gorges of Indus and Brahmaputra.

Young fold mountains commonly have geological activity and steep slopes. For exams link the Himalayas with earthquakes and landslides.

Glaciers of Himadri feed many Himalayan rivers. For exams remember the glacier and perennial river link.

Dun valleys are sedimentary valleys located between mountain ranges. For exams keep Dehradun as the main example.

Bhabar is porous while in Terai water is found near the surface. For exams remember the Bhabar Terai sequence.

A shallow water table increases moisture and creates marshy conditions in Terai. For exams treat Terai as a moist foothill belt.

In flat plains rivers slow down and form meanders and floodplains. For exams remember the link between plains and river forms.

Bhangar is an older higher alluvial surface while Khadar is a newer flood belt. For exams do not reverse this difference.

A doab is alluvial land between two rivers and is useful for agriculture. For exams remember Ganga Yamuna Doab.

Brahmaputra brings high water and silt which can form floods and river islands. For exams remember Assam Valley.

Silt deposition in a delta divides the river into many distributaries. For exams remember deposition and distributary.

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

The Peninsular Plateau is a stable block made of old igneous and metamorphic rocks. For exams treat it as ancient India.

Many Central Highland rivers flow north and east into the Ganga Yamuna system. For exams remember Chambal Betwa Ken.

Due to the eastward slope of Deccan Plateau rivers like Godavari Krishna and Kaveri flow east. For exams study slope and river direction together.

Layered basaltic lava forms the step like landform of Deccan Trap. For exams link the word trap with steps.

Black soil swells with moisture and shrinks on drying. For exams remember black soil cotton and Deccan together.

Ancient rocky plateaus often contain abundant mineral resources. For exams link Chotanagpur with coal and iron ore.

Meghalaya Plateau is a northeastern extension of Peninsular Plateau but appears separated by plains. For exams remember Garo Khasi Jaintia.

Aravalli is an ancient mountain range eroded over a long geological time. For exams remember Aravalli as older than Himalaya.