Chapter 2: Physical Features of India - NCERT Solutions
Exercises
Q1. Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below.
(i) A landmass bounded by sea on three sides is referred to as
(a) Coast
(b) Island
(c) Peninsula
(d) None of the above
(ii) Mountain ranges in the eastern part of India forming its boundary with Myanmar are collectively called
(a) Himachal
(b) Uttarakhand
(c) Purvachal
(d) None of the above
(iii) The western coastal strip, south of Goa is referred to as
(a) Coromandel
(b) Konkan
(c) Kannad
(d) Northern Circar
(iv) The highest peak in the Eastern Ghats is
(a) Anai Mudi
(b) Kanchenjunga
(c) Mahendragiri
(d) Khasi
(i) A landmass bounded by sea on three sides is referred to as
(a) Coast
(b) Island
(c) Peninsula
(d) None of the above
(ii) Mountain ranges in the eastern part of India forming its boundary with Myanmar are collectively called
(a) Himachal
(b) Uttarakhand
(c) Purvachal
(d) None of the above
(iii) The western coastal strip, south of Goa is referred to as
(a) Coromandel
(b) Konkan
(c) Kannad
(d) Northern Circar
(iv) The highest peak in the Eastern Ghats is
(a) Anai Mudi
(b) Kanchenjunga
(c) Mahendragiri
(d) Khasi
Answer - (i) (c) Peninsula
(ii) (c) Purvachal
(iii) (c) Kannad
(iv) (c) Mahendragiri
(ii) (c) Purvachal
(iii) (c) Kannad
(iv) (c) Mahendragiri
Q2. Answer the following questions briefly.
(i) What is the bhabar?
(ii) Name the three major divisions of the Himalayas from north to south.
(iii) Which plateau lies between the Aravali and the Vindhyan ranges?
(iv) Name the island group of India having coral origin.
(i) What is the bhabar?
(ii) Name the three major divisions of the Himalayas from north to south.
(iii) Which plateau lies between the Aravali and the Vindhyan ranges?
(iv) Name the island group of India having coral origin.
Answer - (i) The bhabar is a narrow belt of coarse alluvium found at the foothills of the Shivalik range. Streams disappear into the porous soil of this belt.
(ii) The three major divisions of the Himalayas from north to south are the Himadri (Greater Himalayas), Himachal (Lesser Himalayas), and Shivaliks (Outer Himalayas).
(iii) The Malwa Plateau lies between the Aravali and the Vindhyan ranges.
(iv) The Lakshadweep Islands are the group of coral origin in India.
(ii) The three major divisions of the Himalayas from north to south are the Himadri (Greater Himalayas), Himachal (Lesser Himalayas), and Shivaliks (Outer Himalayas).
(iii) The Malwa Plateau lies between the Aravali and the Vindhyan ranges.
(iv) The Lakshadweep Islands are the group of coral origin in India.
Q3. Distinguish between
(i) Bhangar and Khadar
(ii) Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats
(i) Bhangar and Khadar
(ii) Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats
Answer - (i) Difference between Bhangar and Khadar:
(ii) Difference between Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats:
| Bhangar | Khadar |
|---|---|
| It is the older alluvial soil found in higher areas of the plains. | It is the newer alluvial soil found in the low-lying floodplains. |
| Less fertile due to calcareous deposits like kankar. | More fertile as it receives fresh silt every year. |
| Coarser in texture. | Finer in texture. |
(ii) Difference between Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats:
| Western Ghats | Eastern Ghats |
|---|---|
| Run parallel to the western coast and are continuous. | Run along the eastern coast but are discontinuous and irregular. |
| Higher in elevation with average height between 900–1600 m. | Lower in elevation with average height of about 600 m. |
| Receive more rainfall due to southwest monsoon winds. | Receive less rainfall as compared to Western Ghats. |
| Source of many west-flowing rivers like the Narmada and the Tapi. | Most rivers flowing from here drain into the Bay of Bengal. |
Q4. Which are the major physiographic divisions of India? Contrast the relief of the Himalayan region with that of the Peninsular plateau.
Answer - The major physiographic divisions of India are the Himalayan Mountains, the Northern Plains, the Peninsular Plateau, the Indian Desert, the Coastal Plains, and the Islands.
The Himalayan region is young and has high, rugged mountains with steep slopes and deep valleys, whereas the Peninsular plateau is old, stable, and has gently rising hills and wide valleys made of hard crystalline rocks.
The Himalayan region is young and has high, rugged mountains with steep slopes and deep valleys, whereas the Peninsular plateau is old, stable, and has gently rising hills and wide valleys made of hard crystalline rocks.
Q5. Give an account of the Northern Plains of India.
Answer - The Northern Plains of India have been formed by the deposition of alluvium brought by the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra river systems. These plains are extremely fertile and densely populated. They are flat, ideal for agriculture, and divided into three sections — the Punjab Plains, the Ganga Plains, and the Brahmaputra Plains.
Q6. Write short notes on the following.
(i) The Indian Desert
(ii) The Central Highlands
(iii) The Island groups of India
(i) The Indian Desert
(ii) The Central Highlands
(iii) The Island groups of India
Answer - (i) The Indian Desert is located in the northwestern part of India. It is characterized by arid climate, sandy soil, and very little vegetation. It receives low rainfall and has extreme temperatures.
(ii) The Central Highlands are located to the north of the Narmada River and include the Malwa Plateau and the Bundelkhand and Baghelkhand regions. They are rich in minerals and form part of the Peninsular plateau.
(iii) The island groups of India include the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal and the Lakshadweep Islands in the Arabian Sea. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are volcanic in origin while the Lakshadweep Islands are formed of coral deposits.
(ii) The Central Highlands are located to the north of the Narmada River and include the Malwa Plateau and the Bundelkhand and Baghelkhand regions. They are rich in minerals and form part of the Peninsular plateau.
(iii) The island groups of India include the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal and the Lakshadweep Islands in the Arabian Sea. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are volcanic in origin while the Lakshadweep Islands are formed of coral deposits.