π Topic 03 of 6 Β· Chapter 01 Β· Location & Physiography
Northern Plains β Formation & Features
Formation by Himalayan rivers, Bhabar, Terai, Bhangar, Khadar zones; significance for agriculture and population.
πΎ Northern Plains β Overview
The Northern Plains (also called the Indo-Gangetic Plain or Great Plains of India) are formed by the alluvial deposits of three major river systems β Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra. They extend for about 2,400 km from west to east and are about 240β320 km wide.
- Area: ~7 lakh sq km
- Formation: Alluvial deposits from Himalayan rivers over millions of years
- Depth of alluvium: 1,000β2,000 metres deep
- Most densely populated region of India
- Most fertile agricultural land in India
π Zones of the Northern Plains (North to South)
| Zone | Location | Features | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bhabar | Narrow belt at foothills of Himalayas | Porous, coarse alluvium; rivers disappear underground; width 8β16 km | Not suitable for agriculture; forests; rivers reappear as springs |
| Terai | South of Bhabar | Wet, marshy, forested; rivers reappear; fine alluvium; width 15β30 km | Dense forests; wildlife; after clearing β fertile agricultural land |
| Bhangar | Older alluvial plain (higher ground) | Old alluvium; contains Kankar (calcium carbonate nodules); less fertile | Older settlements; less productive than Khadar |
| Khadar | Newer alluvial plain (flood plains) | New alluvium; renewed every year by floods; very fertile; no Kankar | Most fertile; best for agriculture; rice, wheat, sugarcane |
β Key Difference β Bhangar vs Khadar:
β’ Bhangar = older alluvium = higher ground = contains Kankar = less fertile
β’ Khadar = newer alluvium = flood plains = renewed annually = most fertile
β’ Bhabar = rivers disappear underground (porous gravel)
β’ Terai = rivers reappear as springs = marshy = dense forests
β’ Bhangar = older alluvium = higher ground = contains Kankar = less fertile
β’ Khadar = newer alluvium = flood plains = renewed annually = most fertile
β’ Bhabar = rivers disappear underground (porous gravel)
β’ Terai = rivers reappear as springs = marshy = dense forests
πΊοΈ Regional Divisions of Northern Plains
| Region | States | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Punjab Plain | Punjab, Haryana | Doabs (land between two rivers); 5 rivers of Punjab; wheat bowl of India |
| Ganga Plain | UP, Bihar, WB | Largest part; most fertile; rice-wheat cultivation; most densely populated |
| Brahmaputra Plain | Assam | Eastern part; Brahmaputra river; floods annually; tea gardens |
| Rajasthan Plain | Rajasthan | Western part; Thar Desert; Luni river; arid |
πΎ Significance of Northern Plains
- Agriculture: Most fertile land; produces majority of India’s food grains
- Population: Most densely populated region; ~40% of India’s population
- Flat terrain: Easy to build roads, railways, cities
- Perennial rivers: Year-round water supply for irrigation
- Historical: Cradle of Indian civilisation; most ancient cities
π Exam Tip:
β’ Doab = land between two rivers (e.g., Ganga-Yamuna Doab)
β’ Kankar = calcium carbonate nodules found in Bhangar
β’ Terai = marshy zone south of Bhabar; rivers reappear
β’ Northern Plains = alluvial deposits = 1,000-2,000m deep
β’ Khadar = most fertile = renewed by annual floods
β’ Doab = land between two rivers (e.g., Ganga-Yamuna Doab)
β’ Kankar = calcium carbonate nodules found in Bhangar
β’ Terai = marshy zone south of Bhabar; rivers reappear
β’ Northern Plains = alluvial deposits = 1,000-2,000m deep
β’ Khadar = most fertile = renewed by annual floods