Class 11 Geography: Physiography of India
A. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) - 1 Mark Each (Total: 15 Marks)
Which of the following is the youngest mountain range in India?
a) Aravalli Range
b) Vindhya Range
c) Satpura Range
d) Himalayas
Answer: d) Himalayas
Hint: These mountains are still rising due to ongoing plate tectonics.
Rationale: The Himalayas are young fold mountains, formed relatively recently by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates, while the Aravallis, Vindhyas, and Satpuras are older fold/block mountains.
The Bhabar, Terai, Bhangar, and Khadar are features associated with which physiographic division of India?
a) The Himalayan Mountains
b) The Northern Plains
c) The Peninsular Plateau
d) The Coastal Plains
Answer: b) The Northern Plains
Hint: These are distinct relief features found in the Gangetic plains.
Rationale: Bhabar (pebble-strewn belt), Terai (wet, marshy region), Bhangar (old alluvium), and Khadar (new alluvium) are all characteristic features of the vast alluvial plains of North India.
The Western Ghats are known by different local names. Which of the following is NOT a local name for a part of the Western Ghats?
a) Sahyadri
b) Nilgiri Hills
c) Anaimalai Hills
d) Mahendragiri Hills
Answer: d) Mahendragiri Hills
Hint: Mahendragiri is a prominent peak in a different mountain range.
Rationale: Mahendragiri Hills are part of the Eastern Ghats. Sahyadri (northern part), Nilgiri Hills (where Eastern and Western Ghats meet), and Anaimalai Hills (southern part) are all parts of the Western Ghats.
The highest peak in the Western Ghats is:
a) Doddabetta
b) Anai Mudi
c) Kanchenjunga
d) Guru Shikhar
Answer: b) Anai Mudi
Hint: This peak is located in the Anaimalai Hills.
Rationale: Anai Mudi (2,695 m) is the highest peak in the Western Ghats, located in Kerala. Doddabetta is the highest peak in the Nilgiri Hills, Kanchenjunga in the Himalayas, and Guru Shikhar in the Aravallis.
The 'Deccan Trap' region of the Peninsular Plateau is characterized by:
a) Granite rocks and infertile soil
b) Volcanic rocks and black soil
c) Metamorphic rocks and red soil
d) Sedimentary rocks and alluvial soil
Answer: b) Volcanic rocks and black soil
Hint: Think about the origin of black cotton soil in peninsular India.
Rationale: The Deccan Trap is a large igneous province, formed from massive volcanic eruptions, which resulted in layers of basaltic lava. The weathering of these basaltic rocks forms the fertile black (regur) soil.
Which physiographic division of India is the storehouse of minerals like iron ore, coal, and manganese?
a) The Northern Plains
b) The Coastal Plains
c) The Peninsular Plateau
d) The Indian Desert
Answer: c) The Peninsular Plateau
Hint: This is one of the oldest and most stable landmasses.
Rationale: The Peninsular Plateau is rich in mineral resources, particularly the Chota Nagpur Plateau, which is known for its vast deposits of coal, iron ore, bauxite, and mica.
The Longitudinal valleys lying between the Lesser Himalayas and the Shiwaliks are known as:
a) Bugyals
b) Doabs
c) Duns
d) Passes
Answer: c) Duns
Hint: Dehra Dun is a famous example.
Rationale: These flat-bottomed valleys, formed by the deposition of river sediments, are locally known as 'Duns' (e.g., Dehra Dun, Kotli Dun, Patli Dun).
The narrow coastal plain between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea in Maharashtra and Goa is called the:
a) Malabar Coast
b) Konkan Coast
c) Coromandel Coast
d) Utkal Plain
Answer: b) Konkan Coast
Hint: This is the northern part of the Western Coastal Plain.
Rationale: The Konkan Coast extends from Mumbai to Goa. The Malabar Coast is further south (Kerala), and Coromandel Coast and Utkal Plain are on the Eastern Coastal Plain.
Which of the following islands are of coral origin?
a) Andaman and Nicobar Islands
b) Lakshadweep Islands
c) Barren Island
d) Narcondam Island
Answer: b) Lakshadweep Islands
Hint: These islands are characterized by atolls.
Rationale: The Lakshadweep Islands are low-lying coral atolls, built up on submarine ridges. Andaman & Nicobar and Barren/Narcondam are primarily volcanic.
The highest peak in the Eastern Ghats is:
a) Anai Mudi
b) Mahendragiri
c) Kanchenjunga
d) Armakonda
Answer: d) Armakonda
Hint: While Mahendragiri was long considered the highest, recent surveys identify a higher one.
Rationale: Recent surveys indicate Armakonda (1,680 m) in Andhra Pradesh is the highest peak in the Eastern Ghats, though Mahendragiri (1,501 m) in Odisha is still commonly cited as a prominent high peak.
The only active volcano in India is found in:
a) Lakshadweep Islands
b) Andaman and Nicobar Islands
c) Diu
d) Pamban Island
Answer: b) Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Hint: It's located on Barren Island.
Rationale: Barren Island, located in the Andaman Sea, is India's only active volcano.
Which of the following is an example of an old fold mountain in India?
a) Himalayas
b) Pir Panjal Range
c) Aravalli Range
d) Shivalik Range
Answer: c) Aravalli Range
Hint: This range is highly eroded and much older than the Himalayas.
Rationale: The Aravalli Range is one of the oldest fold mountain systems in the world, having undergone significant erosion over geological time, unlike the young and still rising Himalayan ranges.
The largest desert in India is:
a) Gobi Desert
b) Thar Desert
c) Sahara Desert
d) Atacama Desert
Answer: b) Thar Desert
Hint: It is located in the western part of Rajasthan.
Rationale: The Thar Desert (also known as the Great Indian Desert) is the largest desert in India and the 17th largest desert in the world.
The Peninsular Plateau is broadly divided into two major parts: the Central Highlands and the:
a) Northern Plains
b) Eastern Ghats
c) Deccan Plateau
d) Western Ghats
Answer: c) Deccan Plateau
Hint: This division forms the large triangular landmass to the south.
Rationale: The Peninsular Plateau is divided into the Central Highlands (north of the Narmada river) and the Deccan Plateau (south of the Narmada river).
The largest delta in the world is formed by which rivers in India and Bangladesh?
a) Indus
b) Ganga and Brahmaputra
c) Mahanadi
d) Godavari
Answer: b) Ganga and Brahmaputra
Hint: This delta is often called the Sunderbans.
Rationale: The Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta (also known as the Sunderbans Delta) is the largest delta in the world, formed by the deposition of sediments from these two major river systems.
B. Short Answer Questions (2-3 Marks Each) - (Total: 20-30 Marks)
Name the three parallel ranges of the Himalayas and briefly state a characteristic of each.
Answer: The three parallel ranges of the Himalayas are:
Greater Himalayas (Himadri): Northernmost and most continuous range, with the highest peaks (e.g., Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga), and perpetually snow-bound.
Lesser Himalayas (Himachal): South of Himadri, known for hill stations (e.g., Shimla, Kullu, Manali) and highly compressed and altered rocks.
Shiwaliks (Outer Himalayas): Southernmost and youngest range, composed of unconsolidated sediments brought down by rivers, characterized by Duns (longitudinal valleys).
Differentiate between 'Bhangar' and 'Khadar' in the context of the Northern Plains.
Answer:
Bhangar: Refers to the older alluvial soil found in the Northern Plains. It forms terraces higher than the floodplains, is coarser in texture, contains calcareous deposits called 'kankar', and is less fertile than Khadar.
Khadar: Refers to the newer, younger alluvial soil found in the floodplains of the rivers. It is renewed almost every year by flood deposits, is finer in texture, more fertile, and ideal for intensive agriculture.
Briefly explain the formation of the Himalayas.
Answer: The Himalayas are young fold mountains formed due to the collision of two continental tectonic plates: the northward-moving Indian Plate and the larger Eurasian Plate. Around 50-60 million years ago, as the Indian plate subducted beneath the Eurasian plate, the sediments accumulated in the Tethys Sea (which lay between them) were folded, uplifted, and intensely compressed, forming the towering mountain ranges of the Himalayas. This process is still ongoing.
List any three significant features of the Peninsular Plateau.
Answer:
Oldest Landmass: It is the oldest and most stable landmass of India, composed of ancient crystalline, igneous, and metamorphic rocks.
Rich in Minerals: It is a storehouse of valuable minerals like iron ore, coal, manganese, bauxite, etc., particularly in the Chota Nagpur Plateau.
Black Soil Region (Deccan Trap): Large parts of the plateau (especially in Maharashtra) are covered by black (regur) soil, formed from the weathering of volcanic basaltic rocks, which is highly fertile for cotton cultivation.
Distinct Hill Ranges: Bounded by the Aravalli, Vindhya, Satpura ranges, and the Western and Eastern Ghats.
River Systems: Rivers like Narmada, Tapi, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri flow through it.
What are 'Duns'? Give an example.
Answer: 'Duns' are longitudinal valleys that lie between the Lesser Himalayas (Himachal) and the Shiwaliks (Outer Himalayas). They are formed by the accumulation of gravel and alluvium carried down by Himalayan rivers. They are flat-bottomed and relatively wide. A famous example is Dehra Dun in Uttarakhand.
How do the Western Ghats differ from the Eastern Ghats in terms of continuity and average elevation?
Answer:
Continuity: The Western Ghats are continuous and can be crossed only through passes. The Eastern Ghats are discontinuous and highly eroded, intersected by rivers flowing into the Bay of Bengal.
Average Elevation: The Western Ghats are higher with an average elevation of 900-1600 meters. The Eastern Ghats are lower with an average elevation of about 600 meters.
Briefly describe the significance of the Northern Plains for India.
Answer: The Northern Plains are of immense significance to India due to:
Fertile Alluvial Soil: Formed by the deposition of rich alluvial soil by the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Indus river systems, making it highly fertile and productive for agriculture.
Agricultural Hub: Supports intensive agriculture, especially for food grains like wheat and rice, making it the 'granary' of India.
High Population Density: The fertile land, abundant water, and favorable climate support a very high population density.
Well-developed Infrastructure: Supports extensive network of roads, railways, and canals due to flat terrain.
Name the two major island groups of India and state their origin.
Answer: The two major island groups of India are:
Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Primarily of volcanic and tectonic origin, representing the elevated portions of submarine mountains, with some coral fringes.
Lakshadweep Islands: Primarily of coral origin, being low-lying coral atolls built up on submarine ridges.
What are 'barchans' in the context of the Indian Desert?
Answer: Barchans are crescent-shaped sand dunes with horns pointing in the direction of the wind. They are typically found in the Indian Desert (Thar Desert), especially in the western parts of Rajasthan, and are constantly shifting, reflecting the depositional work of wind.
Explain the 'rain shadow effect' with reference to the Western Ghats.
Answer: The rain shadow effect is clearly observed with reference to the Western Ghats. During the monsoon season (June to September), the moisture-laden southwest monsoon winds strike the Western Ghats from the Arabian Sea. The winds are forced to rise, cool, condense, and cause heavy orographic rainfall on the windward (western) side of the Ghats. By the time these winds descend on the leeward (eastern) side of the Ghats, they have lost most of their moisture, becoming dry and warm. This results in the eastern slopes and the Deccan Plateau lying in a 'rain shadow' zone, experiencing much lower rainfall and often arid or semi-arid conditions.
C. Long Answer Questions (5-6 Marks Each) - (Total: 10-12 Marks)
Describe the major physiographic divisions of the Peninsular Plateau of India. Highlight their key characteristics and economic significance.
Answer:
The Peninsular Plateau is the oldest and most stable landmass of India, a tabletop structure composed of old crystalline, igneous, and metamorphic rocks. It is roughly triangular in shape. It is broadly divided into two main parts: the Central Highlands and the Deccan Plateau.
1. The Central Highlands:
Location: Lies to the north of the Narmada River, covering a major portion of the Malwa Plateau. It is bounded by the Aravallis in the northwest, the Vindhya Range in the south, and extends eastward to merge with the Chota Nagpur Plateau.
Characteristics:
Relatively wider in the west but narrower in the east.
Composed of metamorphic rocks like marble, slate, and gneiss.
Rivers like the Chambal, Sind, Betwa, and Ken flow from southwest to northeast, indicating the slope.
The Aravalli hills, an example of highly eroded old fold mountains, form its northwestern boundary.
The eastern extension includes the Bundelkhand, Baghelkhand, and the mineral-rich Chota Nagpur Plateau.
Economic Significance: The Chota Nagpur Plateau region is immensely significant as it is India's most mineral-rich belt, containing vast reserves of coal, iron ore, bauxite, mica, and other minerals, forming the industrial heartland of India. It also has black soil in parts for agriculture.
2. The Deccan Plateau:
Location: A triangular landmass that lies to the south of the Narmada River. It is bordered by the Satpura Range in the north, the Western Ghats in the west, and the Eastern Ghats in the east.
Characteristics:
It slopes gently from west to east, which is evident from the eastward flow of most major Peninsular rivers (Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri).
The Deccan Trap region (mostly in Maharashtra) is a distinctive feature, characterized by black soil (regur) of volcanic origin, formed from basaltic lava flows. This soil is excellent for cotton cultivation.
Western Ghats: Form the western edge, running parallel to the Arabian Sea. They are continuous, higher (average 900-1600m), and cause orographic rainfall on their western slopes. Prominent peaks include Anai Mudi and Doddabetta.
Eastern Ghats: Form the eastern edge, parallel to the Bay of Bengal. They are discontinuous and much lower (average 600m), dissected by eastward-flowing rivers. Prominent peaks include Armakonda and Mahendragiri.
The Satpura Range (north), the Mahadev Hills, the Kaimur Hills, and the Maikal Range (eastward extensions) form its northern boundary.
Economic Significance: The Deccan Trap provides fertile black soil for cotton and sugarcane. The plateau, in general, has significant mineral resources (though less concentrated than Chota Nagpur). The rivers originating here are crucial for irrigation and hydroelectric power. The Western Ghats also act as a biodiversity hotspot.
In essence, the Peninsular Plateau is a mosaic of ancient hills, plateaus, and river basins, forming the geologically stable core of the Indian subcontinent, rich in resources and diverse in terrain.
Describe the major characteristics and sub-divisions of the Himalayan mountain range. Explain its significance for India.
Answer:
The Himalayan Mountains are young, fold mountains stretching over 2,400 km in an arc from west to east, forming the northern boundary of India. They are geologically young, tectonically active, and structurally fold mountains formed by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates.
Major Characteristics:
Young Fold Mountains: Still rising due to ongoing plate tectonics.
Loftiest and Most Rugged: Contain the world's highest peaks, including Mt. Everest and Kanchenjunga.
Asymmetrical in Profile: Steeper on the northern (Tibetan) side and gentler on the southern (Indian) side.
Diverse Relief: Exhibits great variations in altitude, landforms, climate, and vegetation.
Glaciated Peaks: Many high peaks are perpetually snow-bound and source of numerous glaciers.
Sub-divisions of the Himalayas (Based on Altitude/Parallel Ranges):
The Greater Himalayas (Himadri):
Location: The northernmost and most continuous range, with an average height of over 6,000 meters.
Characteristics: Contains the loftiest peaks of the world (e.g., Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga, Nanga Parbat). Composed of highly metamorphosed and crystalline rocks. Perpetually snow-bound, source of major glaciers (Gangotri, Siachen). Characterized by high passes like Zoji La, Shipki La.
The Lesser Himalayas (Himachal):
Location: South of the Himadri, running parallel to it. Average altitude ranges from 3,700 to 4,500 meters.
Characteristics: Composed of highly compressed and altered rocks. Famous for hill stations like Shimla, Kullu, Manali, Mussoorie, Nainital, and Darjeeling. Includes ranges like Pir Panjal (longest), Dhaula Dhar, and Mahabharat Lekh. Known for beautiful valleys like Kashmir Valley.
The Shiwaliks (Outer Himalayas):
Location: The southernmost and youngest range of the Himalayas, lying parallel to the Lesser Himalayas. Average altitude varies from 900 to 1100 meters.
Characteristics: Composed of unconsolidated sediments (gravel and alluvium) brought down by rivers from the higher ranges. Known for longitudinal valleys called 'Duns' (e.g., Dehra Dun, Kotli Dun, Patli Dun) formed by sediment deposition.
Significance of the Himalayas for India:
Climatic Barrier: They act as a formidable climatic barrier, protecting India from the cold, dry winds originating from Central Asia during winter. They also trap the monsoon winds, forcing them to shed their moisture as rain in India, crucial for agriculture.
Source of Perennial Rivers: The Himalayas are the source of major perennial rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, Indus, and Brahmaputra. These rivers provide fertile alluvial plains, water for irrigation, and hydroelectric power potential.
Fertile Plains: The rivers originating from the Himalayas deposit vast amounts of alluvium, forming the highly fertile Northern Plains, the 'granary of India'.
Forest Wealth: They are home to a rich variety of forest types, providing valuable timber, medicinal plants, and various forest products.
Biodiversity Hotspot: The diverse climatic zones within the Himalayas support a wide range of flora and fauna, making it a significant biodiversity hotspot.
Defence: Historically, they have provided a natural northern frontier for India, making invasions difficult.
Tourism and Pilgrimage: Known for their scenic beauty, hill stations, trekking routes, and numerous pilgrimage sites (e.g., Badrinath, Kedarnath, Amarnath), attracting tourists and pilgrims.
Hydroelectric Power: The steep gradients and numerous rivers offer immense potential for hydroelectric power generation.
In essence, the Himalayas are not just a physical barrier but a vital geographical entity that profoundly influences India's climate, economy, agriculture, and culture.
