Class 9 Geography Chapter 1 Question Answers - Contemporary India - I

Q1. Describe the Important features of the Peninsular Plateau.

Ans:

The Peninsular Plateau of India is located south of the Northern Plains and extends to the southern tip of the Indian peninsula. It is a tableland featuring:

• Gently rising hills and broad, shallow valleys.
• A triangular shape, composed of ancient igneous and metamorphic rocks.

The plateau is divided into two main parts:

Central Highlands(north of the Narmada River):

• Includes the Malwa Plateau, Bundelkhand, Baghelkhand, and the Vindhya Range.
• Extends to the Chhota Nagpur Plateau.
• The Aravalli Hills are located to the west and northwest.

Deccan Plateau(south of the Narmada River):

• Broad base in the north, narrowing towards the south.
• Formed from volcanic lava, primarily consisting of basalt rocks.
• Bordered by the Western Ghats (900-1600 meters high) and the Eastern Ghats (600 meters high).
• Slopes from west to east, with the black soil area known as the Deccan Trap.

Q2. Write a note on the different parts of the Great Himalayan range. 

Ans: The Himalayas are among the highest and most rugged mountain ranges in the world, stretching from the Indus River in the west to the Brahmaputra River in the east. This range forms India's northern border and consists of three main sections:

Greater or Inner Himalayas (Himadri):

• Highest section, averaging 6000 metres.
• Covered in snow and glaciers, home to the tallest peaks like Mount Everest (8848 m) and Kanchenjunga (8598 m).

Lesser Himalayas (Himachal):

• Located south of Himadri, with heights ranging from 3700 to 4500 metres.
• Includes notable ranges such as Pir Panjal and Dhaula Dhar, featuring valleys like Kashmir, Kangra, and Kullu.

Outer Himalayas (Shiwaliks):

• Youngest and outermost range, with heights between 900 and 1100 metres.
• Composed of loose sediments, with valleys known as duns, such as Dehra Dun.

Q3. Which part of the Himalayas is known as Purvanchal? Write a short note on the Purvanchal Himalayas. (Important)

Ans:

The eastern hills and mountains of the Himalayas, known as Purvanchal, stretch along India's northeastern border. They are primarily located in the northeastern states of India and are defined by the Brahmaputra River, which marks the easternmost limit of the Himalayas.

Key features of the Purvanchal Himalayas include:

• They bend sharply south beyond the Dibang gorge, forming parallel ranges with valleys in between.
• Composed mainly of strong sandstone, a type of sedimentary rock.
• Generally of medium height and less dramatic than other Himalayan ranges.
• Dense forests cover these hills, enhancing their natural beauty.

Notable hills within the Purvanchal include:

• Patkai Bum and Naga hills
• Mizo hills and Manipur hills
• Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia hills along the Meghalaya-Bangladesh border
• Dafla hills in the north