Mnemonics: Formation and Division of Plains | General Awareness for SSC CGL PDF Download

The Great North Indian Plain

Mnemonic: IGB = India’s Grand Buffet.
Explanation:

• I = Indus
• G = Ganga
• B = Brahmaputra
  

These three rivers filled the depression with alluvium, making it the fertile buffet of India (breadbasket).

Subdivisions of the Indo-Gangetic-Brahmaputra Plain

1. Bhabar Plains

Mnemonic: “Bhabar = Bhaap Ho Gaya (Vanished).”
Explanation:

• Rivers disappear underground because of porous pebbles.
• Not fertile → only big rooted trees survive.

2. Terai Tract

Mnemonic: Terai = Tigers Chill, Rivers Refill.
Explanation:

• Rivers reappear here after vanishing in Bhabar.
• Marshy, forested, home to wildlife (Corbett, Kaziranga).
• Very fertile after deforestation → rice, sugarcane, wheat.

3. Bhangar

Mnemonic: “Bhangar = Buzurg (Old Alluvium).”
Explanation:

• Older alluvium forming terraces, not the floodplain.
• Has Kankar nodules + fossils of animals.
• Variants: Barind (Bengal), Bhur (Doab sandy lands).

4. Khadar

Mnemonic: “Khadar = Khazana of Crops.”
Explanation:

• New alluvium, deposited every year during floods.
• Most fertile soils = best for farming (breadwinner).

5. Reh / Kollar

Mnemonic: “Reh = Rehne de yaar, Namak hi Namak.”
Explanation:

• Salty soils due to irrigation in Haryana and nearby areas.
• Not fertile → salt crust on top due to capillary rise.

One-Flow Story Mnemonic (to remember the order)

Mnemonic: “Bhai Tera Buzurg Khazana Rehne de.”
Explanation:

• Bhai = Bhabar (rivers vanish)
• Tera = Terai (rivers reappear, tigers live)
• Buzurg = Bhangar (old alluvium, fossils)
• Khazana = Khadar (new, fertile alluvium)
• Rehne de = Reh/Kollar (salty, infertile soil)