Class 9 Geography Chapter 1 HOTS Questions - Contemporary India - I

Q1: What are 'distributaries'?
Ans: As rivers reach their lower course, they slow down and deposit the silt they carry. Because of this deposition, the main channel often splits into several smaller channels that flow away from the main river towards the sea or a lake. These branching channels are called distributaries.

Q2: How 'Punjab Plains' formed?
Ans: The Punjab plains were formed by the deposition of alluvium brought by the Indus River and its tributaries — the Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Satluj. A large part of these plains lies in present-day Pakistan. The plains are very fertile and are divided into several doabs, which are tracts of land lying between two rivers.

Q3: What does 'doab' mean?
Ans: Doab is formed from two Persian words:

• "Do" meaning two
• "ab" meaning water

Hence, a doab is a fertile tract of land situated between two converging rivers.

Q4: To which parts Ganga Plains extended?
Ans: The Ganga plain extends from the area between the Ghaggar and the Teesta rivers. It covers parts of several states in north India, including:

• Haryana
• Delhi
• Uttar Pradesh
• Bihar
• Part of Jharkhand
• West Bengal

This region has deep and fertile alluvial soil, which makes it highly productive for agriculture.

Q5: What is 'Bhabar'?
Ans: Bhabar is a narrow belt found at the foothills of the Shiwaliks. It consists of coarse pebbles and coarse sediments deposited by mountain streams. Key features:

• It lies parallel to the Shiwalik foothills and is about 8–16 km wide.
• Because of its coarse, porous material, streams often disappear into the ground in this belt.

Q6: Which region is called 'Terai Region'?
Ans: The Terai region lies immediately south of the bhabar belt. In this area:

• Streams and rivers re-emerge because the soil is finer and less porous.
• The land is wet, swampy and marshy, and supports rich vegetation and wildlife.
• Much of the original forest was cleared for agriculture and to settle migrants after partition; Dudhwa National Park is a notable protected area in the Terai.

Q7: What does 'Bhangar' mean?
Ans: Bhangar refers to the older alluvium that forms the higher parts of the northern plains. Characteristics:

• It lies above the floodplains and has a terrace-like appearance.
• It is less fertile than newer alluvium because it contains more calcareous deposits (kankar).

Q8: What is 'Khadar'?
Ans: Khadar is the newer alluvial soil found on the floodplains of rivers. It is deposited during floods and is:

• Very fine and fertile.
• Replenished periodically, which makes it ideal for intensive agriculture.

Q9: How was the Peninsular Plateau of India formed?
Ans: The Peninsular Plateau is an ancient landmass that was shaped by the breaking and drifting of the Gondwana land. Important points:

• It is one of the world's oldest landmasses.
• The rocks are largely crystalline, igneous and metamorphic.
• The plateau has broad, shallow valleys and rounded hills and is divided mainly into the Central Highlands and the Deccan Plateau.

Q10: Name the two major divisions of the Peninsular Plateau.
Ans: The two major divisions of the Peninsular Plateau are:

• Central Highlands
• Deccan Plateau

Q11: Where are The Central Highlands located?
Ans: The Central Highlands lie to the north of the Narmada River and include the Malwa Plateau. They are bordered by:

• The Vindhyan range to the south
• The Aravallis to the north-west
• The Satpura range to the south-west

They extend eastwards into Bundelkhand, Baghelkhand and further into the Chotanagpur Plateau.

Q12: Which rivers drain Central Highlands?
Ans: The main rivers that drain the Central Highlands are:

• Chambal
• Sind
• Betwa
• Ken

Q13: What is the eastward extension of the Central Plateau known as?
Ans: The eastward extensions of the Central Plateau are known as:

• Bundelkhand
• Baghelkhand
• Chotanagpur Plateau

Q14: Which hill ranges form the Deccan Plateau?
Ans: The Deccan Plateau is bordered by several hill ranges:

• The Satpura range lies to the north.
• The Mahadev hills extend to the east.
• The Kaimur hills also form part of the eastern extensions.
• The Maikal range is another eastern extension.

Q15: What is the northeast extension of the Deccan Plateau called?
Ans: The north‑eastern extensions of the Deccan Plateau include:

• Meghalaya plateau
• Karbi Anglong Plateau
• North Cachar Hills

Q16: What is the average elevation of the Western Ghats?
Ans: The average elevation of the Western Ghats ranges between about 900 and 1,600 metres.

Q17: Name the highest peak of Western Ghats.
Ans: The highest peak of the Western Ghats is Anamudi, which rises to an elevation of 2,695 metres.

Q18: Name the highest peak of Eastern Ghats.
Ans: The highest peak of the Eastern Ghats is Mahendragiri, with an elevation of about 1,501 metres.

Q19: What is the role of the Western Ghats in the southwest Monsoon?
Ans: The Western Ghats are important for the southwest monsoon because:

• They force moist south-westerly winds to rise along the western slopes, causing orographic rainfall.
• They act as a barrier that results in heavy rainfall on the western side and a rain shadow on the eastern side.
• They therefore influence regional climate patterns and support rich biodiversity.

Q20: Name the famous hill stations of the Western Ghats.
Ans: Well-known hill stations in the Western Ghats include:

• Udagamandalam (commonly known as Ooty)
• Kodaikanal

Q21: What is Deccan Trap?
Ans: The Deccan Trap refers to the large area of dark, volcanic rock and the black soils derived from it on the Peninsular Plateau. Key points:

• It is of volcanic origin, formed by successive lava flows.
• Weathering of these volcanic rocks has produced the fertile black soil over a wide area.

Q22: Where are Aravali Hills located?
Ans: The Aravali Hills run along the western and north-western margin of the Peninsular Plateau. They extend in a south-west to north-east direction from Gujarat towards Delhi and are among the oldest mountain ranges in India.

Q23: Which is the only large river of the Indian Desert of Rajasthan?
Ans: The Luni River is the only large river in the arid region of the Thar Desert in Rajasthan. It flows through a region of scanty rainfall and often loses much of its water through evaporation and seepage, disappearing into the sand in drier months.

Q24: What are Barchans?
Ans: Barchans are crescent-shaped sand dunes formed by wind action in desert areas. Important features:

• They have a convex side facing the wind and two horns pointing downwind, giving them a crescent shape.
• They form where sand supply is limited and wind direction is fairly constant.
• They are commonly seen in the Thar Desert and other sandy deserts.

Q25: What are the local names of the Western Coastal Plains?
Ans: The Western Coastal Plains are locally known by three main names:

• Konkan: the northern stretch from Mumbai to Goa
• Kannad Plain: the central stretch along Karnataka
• Malabar Coast: the southern stretch in Kerala

Q26: By what names are the Eastern Coastal Plains called?
Ans: The Eastern Coastal Plains are commonly referred to as:

• The Northern Circar (northern part)
• The Coromandel Coast (southern part)

These plains form broad, level tracts along the Bay of Bengal and have extensive river deltas.

Q27: Where is Chilka Lake located?
Ans: Chilka Lake is the largest brackish (saltwater) lagoon in India. It is situated in the state of Odisha, to the south of the Mahanadi delta.

Q28: How are Lakshadweep Islands formed?
Ans: The Lakshadweep islands are small coral islands formed by the growth of corals around submerged volcanic peaks. Many of them are arranged in a ring-like shape called an atoll, resembling a horseshoe in some groups.

Q29: Name the capital of Lakshadweep.
Ans: The capital of Lakshadweep is Kavaratti.

Q30: How are Andaman & Nicobar Islands formed? 
Ans: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are largely formed by tectonic activity and submarine volcanic processes. Key points:

• They form part of an elevated portion of an underwater mountain chain in the Bay of Bengal.
• Volcanic eruptions and tectonic uplift have created the islands over geological time.
• They host rich biodiversity and have strategic significance.

Q31: What is the contribution of the northern chain of mountain blocks?
Ans: The northern mountain chains contribute to India in several ways:

• Water resources: They are the source of many important rivers that provide water for irrigation and drinking.
• Forest wealth: These mountains contain extensive forests that supply timber and support wildlife.
• Natural barriers: They act as protective barriers against harsh climatic conditions and historically served as defence barriers.

Q32: What is the importance of plateaus in India?
Ans: Plateaus are important for India because:

• They are rich storehouses of minerals such as iron ore, bauxite, and coal.
• These minerals have been crucial for the country's industrial development.
• Plateaus support various economic activities, including mining and agriculture, and thus aid regional development.

Q33: Name the major physiographic divisions of India.
Ans: The major physiographic divisions of India are:

• The Himalayan mountains
• The Northern Plains
• The Peninsular Plateau
• The Indian Desert
• The Coastal Plains
• The Islands

Q34: Give a brief description of the Himalayan Mountains.
Ans: The Himalayan mountains are a young, rugged mountain system that runs roughly west to east along India's northern border, stretching from the Indus to the Brahmaputra. They are characterised by:

• Very high peaks and deep valleys
• Fast-flowing rivers originating from glaciers
• A geologically unstable or youthful topography

Q35: Describe the three parallel ranges of the Himalayas.
Ans: The three parallel ranges of the Himalayas are:

Great Himalayas (Himadri):

• They contain the highest peaks, with average heights around 6,000 metres.
• They are largely snow-covered and include many famous mountains.

Lesser Himalayas (Himachal):

• These ranges have altitudes between about 3,700 and 4,500 metres.
• They are made of compressed rocks and include ranges such as the Pir Panjal.

Shiwaliks:

• They are the lowest range, with heights between roughly 900 and 1,100 metres.
• They are formed of unconsolidated sediments carried by rivers and feature broad valleys called duns.

Q36: Name the highest peaks of the Himalayas with their heights.
Ans:

• Mt. Everest – 8,848 metres, Nepal
• Kanchenjunga – 8,598 metres, India
• Dhaulagiri – 8,172 metres, Nepal
• Nanga Parbat – 8,126 metres, India
• Annapurna – 8,078 metres, Nepal
• Nanda Devi – 7,817 metres, India
• Kamet – 7,756 metres, India
• Namcha Barwa – 7,756 metres, India
• Guria Mandhata – 7,728 metres, Nepal

Q37: Why are the Shiwalik ranges prone to earthquakes?
Ans: The Shiwalik ranges are prone to earthquakes because:

• They are still undergoing folding and tectonic movement, indicating active geology.
• They are the youngest part of the Himalayan system.
• They consist largely of unconsolidated sediments, which are less stable and more likely to shift during seismic activity.

As a result, the Shiwaliks frequently experience earthquakes and landslides.

Q38: Classify the Himalayas on the basis of regions from the West to East.
Ans: From west to east, the Himalayas are commonly divided into:

• Punjab Himalayas – between the Indus and Satluj rivers; also referred to as Kashmir and Himachal Himalayas.
• Kumaon Himalayas – between the Satluj and Kali rivers.
• Nepal Himalayas – between the Kali and Teesta rivers.
• Assam Himalayas – between the Teesta and Dihang rivers.
• Purvachal – the easternmost extension beyond the Dihang gorge.

The eastern boundary of the range is broadly marked by the course of the Brahmaputra.

Q39: What do you know about 'Purvanchal'?
Ans: Purvanchal refers to the group of hills in the easternmost part of India. Key features:

• They are mainly composed of sandstone and are densely forested.

• The region includes ranges such as Patkai Bum, the Naga Hills, Manipur Hills, Mizo Hills, and the Garo, Khasi and Jaintia Hills.

• They are formed by the extension of the Himalayan system beyond the Dihang gorge.

Q40: Why are the Northern Plains the agriculturally productive parts of India?
Ans: The Northern Plains are highly productive for agriculture because:

• They are fed by three major river systems: the Indus, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra, along with their many tributaries.
• These rivers bring and deposit deep layers of fertile alluvial soil over wide areas.
• There is an abundant water supply for irrigation from rivers and groundwater.
• The climate is suitable for a wide variety of crops, allowing multiple cropping and high yields.

Q41: How are riverine islands formed?
Ans: Riverine islands are formed by the deposition of sediment carried by rivers. The process is:

• Rivers from the mountains carry large amounts of alluvium.
• As the river enters the lower course, its slope becomes gentle and its speed decreases.
• Reduced velocity causes sediment to settle and accumulate.
• Over time these deposits grow above the water level to form islands within the river channel.

Q42: Classify the Northern Plains on the basis of location.
Ans: The Northern Plains are classified into three broad sections by location:

• Punjab Plains – western part, formed by the Indus and its tributaries.
• Ganga Plains – central part, extending between the Ghaggar and Teesta rivers and covering Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, parts of Jharkhand and West Bengal.
• Brahmaputra Plains – eastern part, covering Assam and parts of Arunachal Pradesh.

Q43: Write any three characteristics of the Central Highlands.
Ans: Three notable characteristics of the Central Highlands are:

• Geographical position: They extend from the northwest and merge with the sandy and rocky regions of Rajasthan.
• Variation in width: The highlands are broader in the west and become narrower towards the east.
• Eastern extensions: Their eastern parts are known as Bundelkhand and Baghelkhand, and they merge into the Chotanagpur Plateau which is drained by the Damodar river.

Q44: Differentiate between the Western Coastal Plains and the Eastern Coastal Plains.

Ans: The Western Coastal Plains and the Eastern Coastal Plains differ in several ways:

Q45: Where are the famous passes of the Himalayas located?
Ans:

• Shipkila Pass – located in the Satluj valley on the road towards Tibet in Himachal Pradesh.
• Nathula Pass – situated in Sikkim; it connects India with the Chumbi valley near Lhasa.
• Bomdila Pass – located in Arunachal Pradesh close to the border with China and providing access to higher parts of the eastern Himalayas.