The Great Plains of North India | Geography for UPSC 2024 (Pre & Mains) PDF Download

 Page 1


 
THE GREAT PLAINS OF NORTH INDIA  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Page 2


 
THE GREAT PLAINS OF NORTH INDIA  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FORMATION OF GANGA PLAINS 
The upheaval of Himalayas created a marine depression between the 
mountains and the Indian peninsula.  
This marine depression or trough was filled with detrital material. 
In other words , The Northern plains or the great plains in India were 
formed from the sedimentary deposits - alluvium, brought by the rivers 
from the Himalayas by its erosion. 
The plains were formed in the Pleistocene and Holocene during the 
Quaternary era and are the most recent geological unit of India.  
The deposition of alluvium from the Himalayas commenced after the final 
phase of the Shiwaliks and has continued till now.  
The plains were formed by layers of different sediments of different sizes 
in successive deposits. 
These successive stages are following: 
1) The Bhabhar belt 
2) The Terai belt 
3) The Bhangar belt 
4) The Khadar belt 
 
 
 
Page 3


 
THE GREAT PLAINS OF NORTH INDIA  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FORMATION OF GANGA PLAINS 
The upheaval of Himalayas created a marine depression between the 
mountains and the Indian peninsula.  
This marine depression or trough was filled with detrital material. 
In other words , The Northern plains or the great plains in India were 
formed from the sedimentary deposits - alluvium, brought by the rivers 
from the Himalayas by its erosion. 
The plains were formed in the Pleistocene and Holocene during the 
Quaternary era and are the most recent geological unit of India.  
The deposition of alluvium from the Himalayas commenced after the final 
phase of the Shiwaliks and has continued till now.  
The plains were formed by layers of different sediments of different sizes 
in successive deposits. 
These successive stages are following: 
1) The Bhabhar belt 
2) The Terai belt 
3) The Bhangar belt 
4) The Khadar belt 
 
 
 
 
BASIC INTRODUCTION  
The northern plain has been formed by the interplay of the three major 
river systems, namely– the Indus, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra along 
with their tributaries.  
 
This plain is formed of alluvial soil. 
 The deposition of alluvium in a vast basin lying at the foothills of the 
Himalaya over millions of years, formed this fertile plain.  
It spreads over an area of 7 lakh sq. km  
The plain being about 2400 Km long and 240 to 320 Km broad, is a densely 
populated physiographic division. 
The maximum depth of alluvium deposits varies between 1,000-2,000 m.  
 
Page 4


 
THE GREAT PLAINS OF NORTH INDIA  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FORMATION OF GANGA PLAINS 
The upheaval of Himalayas created a marine depression between the 
mountains and the Indian peninsula.  
This marine depression or trough was filled with detrital material. 
In other words , The Northern plains or the great plains in India were 
formed from the sedimentary deposits - alluvium, brought by the rivers 
from the Himalayas by its erosion. 
The plains were formed in the Pleistocene and Holocene during the 
Quaternary era and are the most recent geological unit of India.  
The deposition of alluvium from the Himalayas commenced after the final 
phase of the Shiwaliks and has continued till now.  
The plains were formed by layers of different sediments of different sizes 
in successive deposits. 
These successive stages are following: 
1) The Bhabhar belt 
2) The Terai belt 
3) The Bhangar belt 
4) The Khadar belt 
 
 
 
 
BASIC INTRODUCTION  
The northern plain has been formed by the interplay of the three major 
river systems, namely– the Indus, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra along 
with their tributaries.  
 
This plain is formed of alluvial soil. 
 The deposition of alluvium in a vast basin lying at the foothills of the 
Himalaya over millions of years, formed this fertile plain.  
It spreads over an area of 7 lakh sq. km  
The plain being about 2400 Km long and 240 to 320 Km broad, is a densely 
populated physiographic division. 
The maximum depth of alluvium deposits varies between 1,000-2,000 m.  
 
 
 
 With a rich soil cover combined with adequate water supply and 
favourable climate it is agriculturally a very productive part of India.  
The rivers coming from northern mountains are involved in depositional 
work. In the lower course, due to gentle slope, the velocity of the river 
decreases which results in the formation of riverine islands . 
 
 
 
Page 5


 
THE GREAT PLAINS OF NORTH INDIA  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FORMATION OF GANGA PLAINS 
The upheaval of Himalayas created a marine depression between the 
mountains and the Indian peninsula.  
This marine depression or trough was filled with detrital material. 
In other words , The Northern plains or the great plains in India were 
formed from the sedimentary deposits - alluvium, brought by the rivers 
from the Himalayas by its erosion. 
The plains were formed in the Pleistocene and Holocene during the 
Quaternary era and are the most recent geological unit of India.  
The deposition of alluvium from the Himalayas commenced after the final 
phase of the Shiwaliks and has continued till now.  
The plains were formed by layers of different sediments of different sizes 
in successive deposits. 
These successive stages are following: 
1) The Bhabhar belt 
2) The Terai belt 
3) The Bhangar belt 
4) The Khadar belt 
 
 
 
 
BASIC INTRODUCTION  
The northern plain has been formed by the interplay of the three major 
river systems, namely– the Indus, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra along 
with their tributaries.  
 
This plain is formed of alluvial soil. 
 The deposition of alluvium in a vast basin lying at the foothills of the 
Himalaya over millions of years, formed this fertile plain.  
It spreads over an area of 7 lakh sq. km  
The plain being about 2400 Km long and 240 to 320 Km broad, is a densely 
populated physiographic division. 
The maximum depth of alluvium deposits varies between 1,000-2,000 m.  
 
 
 
 With a rich soil cover combined with adequate water supply and 
favourable climate it is agriculturally a very productive part of India.  
The rivers coming from northern mountains are involved in depositional 
work. In the lower course, due to gentle slope, the velocity of the river 
decreases which results in the formation of riverine islands . 
 
 
 
 
GEOMORPHOLOGY OF THE PLAINS 
 
From the north to the south, these can be divided into three major zones:  
1) The Bhabar 
2) The Tarai  
3) The Alluvial Plains 
The alluvial plains can be further divided into : 
1) The Khadar  
2) The Bhangar 
BHABAR  
Bhabar is a narrow belt ranging between 8-10 km parallel to the Shiwalik 
foothills at the break-up of the slope.