The Northern Plains

The Northern Plains lie north of the Peninsular Plateau and south of the Himalayas. Exam tip: remember the middle location.

River alluvial deposits are the main basis of Northern Plains formation. Exam tip: study river, alluvium and plains together.

The Northern Plains are extensive, level and fertile plains formed by alluvial deposits brought by the Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra river systems. Therefore, ‘fertile alluvial plains’ is the correct identification. An old hard plateau refers to the Peninsular Plateau, while a sandy desert is associated with the Thar region. Exam tip: river-deposited alluvium is a key clue for the Northern Plains.

Streams sink into the coarse pebbly material of Bhabar. Exam tip: remember Bhabar with pebbles and gravel.

Khadar is linked with new alluvium and flood plains. Exam tip: treat Khadar as new fertile soil.

Bhangar is a relatively higher part with old alluvium. Exam tip: connect Bhangar with old alluvium.

Punjab, Ganga and Brahmaputra Plains are regional parts of the Northern Plains. Exam tip: connect them with river systems.

Doab refers to the land lying between two rivers. In the Northern Plains, such areas are often fertile because rivers deposit alluvium there. A valley between two mountains is not called a doab. Exam tip: remember Doab as land between the waters of two rivers.

Many Doabs in Punjab Plain are lands between rivers. Exam tip: remember the meaning of Doab.

Khadar is linked with flood plains and new alluvium. Exam tip: remember Khadar as an area near rivers.

Flat and fertile land supports settlement and agriculture. Exam tip: remember the relation between fertile plains and population.

The fertile soil of Northern Plains supports high agricultural production. Exam tip: connect agricultural importance with alluvial soil.

The Northern Plains were formed mainly by the deposition of alluvium brought by the Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra river systems. Alluvium includes sediments such as sand, silt and clay, so it is the correct answer. Lava comes from volcanoes, while coral is formed by marine organisms. Exam tip: fertile soil deposited by rivers is called alluvium.

The Northern Plains are fertile alluvial plains south of the Himalayas. Exam tip: remember both location and soil.

Flat land is convenient for farming and irrigation. Exam tip: connect flatness with agriculture.

The Northern Plains have the Ganga, Yamuna, Brahmaputra and many tributaries that provide abundant water. Their broad, level surface also makes it easier to construct canals and carry water to farms. An absence of rivers would make irrigation more difficult, not more developed. Exam tip: link the Northern Plains’ alluvial soil, level relief and perennial rivers with intensive agriculture and irrigation.

Deccan Plateau is part of the Peninsular Plateau, not the Northern Plains. Exam tip: keep plains and plateau separate.

The Northern Plains were formed by deposits of alluvium brought by the Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra river systems. Therefore, alluvial soil is the correct match. A sandy desert is mainly associated with the Thar region, while a lava plateau is associated with the Deccan Plateau. Exam tip: remember the Northern Plains as fertile, river-deposited alluvial plains.

Bhabar is a narrow belt along the Shiwalik foothills where rivers deposit coarse materials such as pebbles, gravel and boulders. Therefore, Bhabar is the correct answer. Terai lies south of Bhabar and is a wet, marshy belt where streams that disappear in Bhabar re-emerge. Exam tip: remember Bhabar for coarse deposits and Terai for marshy land.

Terai is the moist and marshy belt of the Northern Plains. In the pebbly Bhabar belt, streams disappear underground; south of it, they re-emerge in the Terai and create marshy conditions. Khadar is the newer alluvial floodplain, so it is not the correct answer here. Exam tip: remember that Terai lies south of Bhabar.