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Tag: Chapter 2: Physical Features of India

  • Chapter 2: Physical Features of India, Class 9th, Geography, NCERT

    NCERT Questions & Answers

    Q1. Choose the right answer:
    (i) A landmass bounded by sea on three sides → Peninsula (c)
    (ii) Eastern mountain ranges forming boundary with Myanmar → Purvachal (c)
    (iii) Western coastal strip, south of Goa → Kannad (c)
    (iv) Highest peak in the Eastern Ghats → Mahendragiri (c)

    Q2. Answer briefly:

    (i) What is the bhabar?
    → A narrow belt (8–16 km wide) of pebbles lying parallel to the Shiwaliks, where rivers disappear into permeable soil.

    (ii) Three major divisions of the Himalayas from north to south?
    → Himadri (Great Himalayas), Himachal (Lesser Himalayas), Shiwaliks (Outer Himalayas).

    (iii) Which plateau lies between the Aravali and Vindhyan ranges?
    → The Malwa Plateau.

    (iv) Name the island group of India having coral origin.
    → Lakshadweep Islands.

    Q3. Distinguish between:

    (i) Bhangar and Khadar

    • Bhangar: Older alluvium, terrace-like, less fertile, contains kankar (lime nodules).

    • Khadar: Newer alluvium, renewed annually by floods, very fertile.

    (ii) Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats

    • Western Ghats: Continuous, higher (900–1600 m), cause orographic rainfall, include Anai Mudi and Doda Betta.

    • Eastern Ghats: Discontinuous, lower (600 m), cut by rivers into Bay of Bengal, include Mahendragiri.

    Q4. Major physiographic divisions of India. Contrast Himalayas & Peninsular Plateau.
    → Six divisions: Himalayas, Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau, Indian Desert, Coastal Plains, Islands.

    • Himalayas: Young fold mountains, rugged, high peaks, glaciers.

    • Peninsular Plateau: Oldest landmass, igneous & metamorphic rocks, broad valleys, rich in minerals.

    Q5. Account of Northern Plains.
    → Formed by alluvium of Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra. Area: 7 lakh sq. km, length 2400 km, width 240–320 km. Fertile soils, flat land, densely populated. Divisions: Punjab Plains, Ganga Plains, Brahmaputra Plains. Relief features: Bhabar, Terai, Bhangar, Khadar. Known as “Granary of India.”

    Q6. Short notes:

    (i) Indian Desert: West of Aravalis, sandy plain, dunes, arid climate, <150 mm rainfall, sparse vegetation, only Luni river.
    (ii) Central Highlands: North of Narmada, includes Malwa Plateau, Bundelkhand, Baghelkhand, Chotanagpur. Rivers flow SW–NE.
    (iii) Island Groups: Lakshadweep (coral, 32 sq. km, HQ Kavaratti) and Andaman & Nicobar (volcanic, equatorial climate, biodiversity, strategic location).

    Long Answer Questions

    Q1. Describe the Himalayas in detail.
    → Himalayas stretch 2400 km from Indus to Brahmaputra, width 150–400 km. Divided into Himadri (loftiest, perennially snow-bound), Himachal (valleys, hill stations), Shiwaliks (duns, sediments). Regional divisions: Punjab, Kumaon, Nepal, Assam Himalayas. Eastern extension = Purvachal (Patkai, Naga, Manipur, Mizo Hills).

    Q2. Discuss the importance of Northern Plains for India.
    → Alluvial, fertile, agriculture-based, supports high population. Rivers provide irrigation, transport, hydroelectricity. Flat land allows industrialisation and urbanisation. Historically, cradle of civilisation. Known as “food bowl” of India.

    Q3. Explain physiographic divisions of the Peninsular Plateau.
    → Two main parts: Central Highlands (Malwa, Bundelkhand, Baghelkhand, Chotanagpur) and Deccan Plateau (triangular, slopes eastwards, flanked by Ghats). Meghalaya Plateau (Garo, Khasi, Jaintia) part of NE extension. Black soil (Deccan Trap) from volcanic origin. Rich in minerals, crucial for industries.

    Q4. Describe Coastal Plains of India.
    → Narrow coastal strips flanking plateau.

    • Western Coast: Narrow, divided into Konkan (Mumbai–Goa), Kannad Plain, Malabar Coast.

    • Eastern Coast: Wide, level, divided into Northern Circar and Coromandel. Formed deltas of Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri. Important ports, fishing, Chilika Lake (saltwater lagoon).

    Q5. Discuss the Islands of India.
    → Lakshadweep (Arabian Sea): coral origin, 36 islands, small area, Kavaratti HQ. Rich marine life.
    Andaman & Nicobar (Bay of Bengal): volcanic origin, larger and numerous, divided into two groups. Equatorial climate, biodiversity, strategic naval location. India’s only active volcano (Barren Island).

    MCQs

    1. India’s physical features divided into ___ divisions.
      (a) 5 (b) 6 (c) 7 (d) 8
      Answer: (b) 6

    2. Himalayas length is:
      (a) 1500 km (b) 2400 km (c) 2000 km (d) 2500 km
      Answer: (b)

    3. Himalayas average width in Arunachal Pradesh:
      (a) 150 km (b) 200 km (c) 250 km (d) 400 km
      Answer: (a)

    4. Highest peak in India:
      (a) Mt. Everest (b) Kanchenjunga (c) Nanda Devi (d) Kamet
      Answer: (b)

    5. Longitudinal valleys between Lesser Himalaya & Shiwaliks:
      (a) Doabs (b) Duns (c) Khadar (d) Terai
      Answer: (b)

    6. Largest inhabited riverine island:
      (a) Sriharikota (b) Majuli (c) Lakshadweep (d) Pitti
      Answer: (b)

    7. “Doab” means:
      (a) Two mountains (b) Two rivers (c) Two waters (d) Two valleys
      Answer: (c)

    8. Old alluvium plain =
      (a) Khadar (b) Bhangar (c) Terai (d) Bhabar
      Answer: (b)

    9. Black soil of Deccan =
      (a) Alluvium (b) Volcanic origin (c) Marine (d) Desert soil
      Answer: (b)

    10. Highest peak in Eastern Ghats:
      (a) Anai Mudi (b) Doda Betta (c) Mahendragiri (d) Shevroy
      Answer: (c)

    11. Indian desert receives rainfall below:
      (a) 250 mm (b) 200 mm (c) 150 mm (d) 100 mm
      Answer: (c)

    12. Only large river of desert:
      (a) Ghaggar (b) Sabarmati (c) Luni (d) Chambal
      Answer: (c)

    13. Largest saltwater lake in India:
      (a) Sambhar (b) Chilika (c) Pulicat (d) Wular
      Answer: (b)

    14. Coral islands of India:
      (a) Andaman (b) Nicobar (c) Lakshadweep (d) Maldives
      Answer: (c)

    15. India’s only active volcano:
      (a) Popa (b) Krakatoa (c) Barren Island (d) Narcondam
      Answer: (c)

    16. Konkan coast lies between:
      (a) Mumbai–Goa (b) Goa–Kerala (c) Gujarat–Goa (d) Kerala–TN
      Answer: (a)

    17. Khasi, Garo, Jaintia Hills belong to:
      (a) Deccan Plateau (b) Meghalaya Plateau (c) Aravali Hills (d) Vindhya Hills
      Answer: (b)

    18. Chotanagpur plateau rich in:
      (a) Agriculture (b) Minerals (c) Desert (d) Fisheries
      Answer: (b)

    19. Which desert lies west of Aravallis?
      (a) Thar (b) Sahara (c) Kalahari (d) Gobi
      Answer: (a)

    20. Kavaratti is capital of:
      (a) Andaman (b) Lakshadweep (c) Nicobar (d) Maldives
      Answer: (b)

    Fill in the Blanks

    1. The Himalayas are divided into Himadri, Himachal, Shiwaliks.

    2. The Northern Plains are formed by Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra rivers.

    3. Older alluvium is called Bhangar, newer alluvium is Khadar.

    4. The Deccan Plateau is of volcanic origin.

    5. The Western Ghats cause orographic rainfall.

    6. The Indian Desert lies to the west of Aravallis.

    7. The only large river of desert is the Luni.

    8. The eastern coastal strip is called Northern Circar & Coromandel.

    9. India’s largest saltwater lake is Chilika.

    10. India’s only active volcano is found on Barren Island.