Question

Which are the major physiographic divisions of India? Contrast the relief of the Himalayan region with that of the Peninsular plateau.

Answer 1

The major physiographic divisions of India are

1. The Himalayan Mountains
2. The Northern Plains
3. The Peninsular Plateau
4. The Indian Desert
5. The Coastal Plains
6. The Islands

Peninsular Plateau

The Peninsular Plateau in India is broadly divided into the Deccan Plateau and Central Highlands. The peninsular plateau contains metamorphic and igneous rocks. It is the oldest landmass, it was formed by breaking and drifting away from Gondwana land.

Central Highlands

• The Eastward extensions of Central Highlands are known as the Baghelkhand and Bundelkhand.
• The Central Highlands are narrower in the East, but wider in the West.
• Aravallis on the northwest and the Central Highlands on the south bounds the Vindhya range.
• Central Highlands are the major area of the Malwa plateau, to the North of the Narmada river, one can find the Peninsular Plateau.

Deccan Plateau

• To the south of the river Narmada, there is a triangular landmass and it is known as the Deccan plateau.
• The Deccan Plateau slopes gently eastwards, it is higher in the West.
• Its Eastern extensions are the Maikal range, the Kaimur hills, the Mahadev while its broad base in the North is flanked by the Satpura Range.
• Even in the Northeast, one can kind find the extension of this plateau known as the North Cachar Hills, Karbi-Anglong Plateau.
• It is separated from the Chotanagpur plateau by a geological fault.

Himalayan Mountains

• The Himalayas are spread over the northern borders of India. Himalayas are structurally folded mountains and geologically young mountains.
• Along the longitudinal extent of the Himalayas, there are three parallel ranges, and these ranges have many valleys in between them.
• Himadri or the Inner Himalayas or the Great Himalayas is the Northernmost range of the Himalayas.
• All the prominent Himalayan peaks can be found in the Himadri. With an average height of 6000 metres, Himadri has the loftiest mountain peaks and it is the most continuous mountain range.
• The Lesser Himalayas, also known as the Himachal, is the most rugged mountain system. This mountain range lies to the South of the Himadri.
• The width of this Himalayan mountain range is 50 Km and the altitude varies between 4500 Metres and 3700 Metres.
• Shiwaliks are the outermost ranges of the Himalayas. Their altitude varies from 1100 metres to 900 metres and their width ranges from 10 km to 50 km.