Email id: civilstap22@gmail.

com Contact us: 7889296332

INDIAN GEOGRAPHY – PHYSICAL FEATURES OF INDIA

LOCATIONAL SETTING OF INDIA

North-south extent from Indira Col in Kashmir to Kanyakumari or Cape Camorin is 3,214 km. East-west
width from the Rann of Kutchh to Arunachal Pradesh is 2,933 km. With an area of 32,87,263 km 2, India is the
seventh largest country in the world. India accounts for about 2.4% of the total surface area of the world.

Rank Country Capital City Continent Area (km2)

1 Russia Moscow Europe 1,70,98,242

North
2 Canada Ottawa 99,84,670
America
Washington North
3 USA 98,26,675
DC America
4 China Beijing Asia 95,96,961
South
5 Brazil Brasilia 85,14,877
America
6 Australia Canberra Oceania 77,41,220

7 India New Delhi Asia 32,87,263

South
8 Argentina Buenos Aires 27,80,400
America
9 Kazakhstan Astana Asia 27,24,900

10 Algeria Algiers Africa 23,81,741

INDIAN STATES & UTS

Politically, India is divided into 28 states and 8 union territories.

BOUNDARY SHARING OF STATES
Uttar Pradesh shares boundary with maximum number of states and UTs – 8 states and 1 UT of Delhi.
7 states touch Assam & Chhattisgarh.
6 states touch Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Meghalaya and Sikkim share boundary with only one state each.
Gujarat has the longest coastline, followed by Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

INDIA’S FRONTIER
India has 15106.7 km of land border running through 16 states and 2 UTs.
Indian has a coastline of 7516.6 Km (6100 km of mainland coastline + coastline of 1197 Indian islands)
touching 9 states and 4 Union Territories.
Email id: civilstap22@gmail.com Contact us: 7889296332

India’s longest border is with Bangladesh while the shortest border is with Afghanistan.

GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURE OF INDIA

Rock systems in India are classified according to their age into four classes.

1. ARCHAEAN ROCK SYSTEM

These are the oldest rocks formed on the crust formed in the Precambrian era. This system consists of Gneisses
& Schists and the Dharwar System of rocks.
a. ARCHAEAN GNEISSES AND SCHISTS
Oldest rocks (formed in the pre-Cambrian era –about 4 billion years ago). These are igneous rocks and mostly
contain gneisses (granite, gabbro etc.) and schists (crystalline rocks such as mica, chlorite, talc etc.)
They serve as the basement complex or the foundation rocks for other rock systems which developed
afterwards. They are azoic (without any traces of life as life has not originated by then) and plutonic (magma
solidified below the surface) intrusions.
Because of their volcanic origin, they are crystalline and consist of sheet-like layers (foliated). These rocks are
abundant in metallic as well as non-metallic minerals such as iron, manganese, copper, bauxite, gold, lead,
mica, graphite etc. Although these rocks are found all over India as the fundamental sub surface rock system,
but they have been exposed to the surface at a few locations after erosion of the overlying rocks. These
exposed outcrops can be seen in Aravalli hills, Deccan plateau and the northeast of India.

b. DHARWAR ROCK SYSTEM

Formed between 2.5 billion to 1.8 billion years, these are the oldest metamorphic rocks of India. They are
formed due to the metamorphosis of the sediments formed out of the Archaean gneiss and schists. They are
economically the most important rocks because they possess valuable minerals like high-grade iron-ore,
manganese, copper, lead, gold, etc.

Since they were first studied in the Dharwar region of Karnataka, they were named so. They are mainly found
in the Aravallis, Chhotanagpur plateau, Meghalaya, and Tamil Nadu. Dharwar rocks are divided into various
series based on the region in which they are found, and the type of metal contained in them. For instance,
Champions series (Kolar – gold), Champaner series (Baroda – marble), Chilpi series (Balaghat – copper) etc.
Email id: civilstap22@gmail.com Contact us: 7889296332

2. PURANA ROCK SYSTEM

Formed between 1400 million to 600 million years ago. They are formed by the erosion and deposition of
Archaean and Dharwar rocks. They are mostly sedimentary and metamorphic (sedimentary rocks which
underwent metamorphism).

a. CUDDAPAH ROCK SYSTEM

They were formed when sedimentary rocks like unfossiliferous clay, slates, sandstone, and limestone etc.,
were deposited in synclinal basins (depression between two folds). Mainly found in the Cuddapah region of
Andhra Pradesh, they are also found in Delhi, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, the lesser Himalayas etc. They are rich
in metamorphic rocks such as shale, slate, quartzite, and cement grade limestone etc. Even though metallic
minerals like iron ore were found, they were of poor quality.
b. VINDHYAN ROCK SYSTEM
The system comprises of ancient sedimentary rocks (4000 m thick) superimposed on the Archaean base. This
system derives its name from the great Vindhyan Mountains which form a dividing line between the Ganges
plain and Deccan Plateau. They are mainly found in the Vindhyan mountain ranges, extending from Rajasthan
to Bihar. A large area of this belt is covered by the Deccan Traps.
The Vindhyan system have diamond bearing regions from which Panna and Golconda diamonds have been
mined. It is devoid of metalliferous minerals but provides large quantities of durable stones, ornamental
stones, limestone, pure glassmaking sand etc.

3. DRAVIDIAN ROCK SYSTEM

Formed about 600 – 300 million years ago during the Palaeozoic era. Found in the extra-Peninsular region (the
Himalayas and Ganga plain) and are rare in Peninsular India. They are sedimentary rocks, and abundant fossils
can be found in them. The rocks of Cambrian, Ordovician, Silurian, Devonian and Carboniferous periods fall
under the Dravidian system.
CARBONIFEROUS ROCK SYSTEM - The Carboniferous rocks (350 million years) comprise mainly of limestone,
shale and quartzite. Coal formation started in the Carboniferous age. Carboniferous period coal is best quality
coal but rarely found in India.

4. ARYAN ROCK SYSTEM

Formed after the Carboniferous period. From the Gondwana rock system, Jurassic system, Deccan trap and
Tertiary period, this rock system is made up of diverse kinds of rocks.

a. GONDWANA ROCK SYSTEM

The Gondwana System derives its name from Gond tribes from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. This system
is the source of Gondwana coal. The Gondwana rocks are mainly found in Ranigunj, Jharia regions of
Jharkhand, Damodar valley, Pench valley in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, Godavari valley in Telangana
and the Rajmahal hills of West Bengal. Apart from coal, they are also a source of metallic minerals such as
iron, manganese, antimony, uranium etc.

b. JURASSIC ROCK SYSTEM

During this period, parts of peninsular India were invaded by shallow seas which gave rise to a thick series of
shallow water deposits in Rajasthan and in Kutchh. Coral limestone, sandstone, conglomerates and shales
occur in Kutch. Another transgression on the east coast of the Peninsula is found between Guntur and
Rajahmundry.
Email id: civilstap22@gmail.com Contact us: 7889296332

c. DECCAN SYSTEM OR DECCAN TRAPS

This system was formed when the Indian plate came over the Reunion hotspot in the Indian Ocean (end of
Cretaceous Period) while travelling north towards the Eurasian plate, after breaking up from the
Gondwanaland. This resulted in volcanic eruptions and outpouring of basaltic magma from the fissures over
the Indian plate leading to the formation of a thick layered plateau called the Deccan Traps.
These volcanic deposits have a flat top and steep sides and therefore called ‘trap’ meaning a ‘stair’ or ‘step’
in Swedish. The process of weathering and erosion (denudation) since millions of years has reduced the
Deccan Trap to almost half of its original size, still it covers an area of 5 lakh sq. km. encompassing the regions
like Kutchh, Saurashtra, Maharashtra, Malwa plateau and north Karnataka. The weathering of these rocks
results in formation of black cotton soil known as regur.

d. TERTIARY ROCK SYSTEM

These rocks belong to the Cenozoic era, formed around 60 million years ago. The Himalayan uplift took place
at around the same town. Important rock systems include Karewas of Kashmir, Bhangar and Khadar of the
Gangetic plains etc.
Pleistocene and recent deposits: Very recent deposits, which contain fossils of species with living
representatives. These include Sutlej-Ganga-Brahmaputra plains and Karewa formations of the Kashmir valley.

RELIEF FEATURES OF INDIA

The land of India is characterized by great diversity in its physical features. The north has a vast expanse of
rugged topography consisting of a series of mountain ranges with varied peaks, beautiful valleys and deep
gorges. The south consists of stable table land with highly dissected plateaus, denuded rocks and developed
series of scarps. In between these two lies the vast north Indian plain.
BASED ON THESE MACRO VARIATIONS, INDIA CAN BE DIVIDED INTO THE FOLLOWING PHYSIOGRAPHIC
DIVISIONS:
1. The Himalayan Mountains 2. The Northern Plains 3. The Peninsular Plateau

4. The Indian Desert 5. The Coastal Plains 6. The Islands

1. HIMALAYAS

1. SHIWALIKS
➢ It is also known as Outer Himalayas & located in between the Great Plains and Lesser Himalayas range.
They are the southernmost ranges of the Himalayas. Shiwalik is the youngest of all the ranges. The
Shiwalik hills are composed of unconsolidated sands, gravels and conglomerate deposits which were
brought by the rivers flowing from the higher ranges. These are made of unconsolidated river deposits
and are prone to earthquakes and landslides.
➢ Shiwaliks are result of deposition of Indo-Brahma river sediments at the foothills of Middle Himalayas.
Shiwalik is an almost unbroken succession of low hills except for a gap of 80-90 km which is occupied by
the valley of Tista River. The Churia Ghat Hills of Nepal also form parts of the shiwalik range.
Email id: civilstap22@gmail.com Contact us: 7889296332

➢ Extends from Jammu Division of Jammu and Kashmir state to Assam.

➢ They are broader in the west and narrows down in the east.
➢ Shiwalik range obstructed the flow of rivers flowing from the earlier formed ranges forming many lakes.
These lakes drained away with time leaving behind sedimentary plains known as Duns or Duars e.g.
Dehradun
➢ The altitude varies from 600 to 1500 metres.
IMPORTANT HILLS OF THE SHIWALIK RANGE :

STATES LOCALIZED NAME

Arunachal Pradesh Dafla , Miri , Abor and Mishmi

Uttarakhand Dhange and Dundwa Range

Nepal Churia Ghat

Jammu Jammu Hills

2. MIDDLE OR LESSER HIMALAYAS OR HIMACHAL

This range lies between the Shiwaliks in the south and the Greater Himalayas in the north and runs almost
parallel to both the ranges. They are also called the Lower Himalayas. The Lower Himalayan ranges are 60-80
km wide and about 2400 km in length with elevations varying from 3,500 to 4,500 m. Many hill stations like
Shimla, Mussorie, Nainital, Almora & Darjeeling etc. are located in this range.
Valley of Kashmir lies between the Pir Panjal Range and Zaskar Range. The synclinal basin of the valley is filled
with alluvial, lacustrine (lake deposits) and glacial deposits. Lacustrine deposits found here are called Karewas
which are good for saffron cultivation. Jhelum River flows through the valley in a highly meandering course.
Jhelum flows through the Wular Lake, the largest freshwater lake in India.

IMP RANGES REGION

Pir Panjal Range J& K (to the south of Kashmir Valley).

Longest range of the Himalaya .

Dhaola Dhar Range Jammu and Kashmir Himachal Pradesh

Mussoorie & Nag Tiba Range Uttarakhand

Mahabharat Range Nepal

3. THE GREATER OR INNER HIMALAYAS OR HIMADRI

Also known as Inner Himalaya, Central Himalaya or Himadri. Average elevation of 6,100 m above sea level and
an average width of about 25 km. It is mainly formed of the central crystallines (granites and gneisses) overlain
by metamorphosed sediments (limestone). This is the most continuous range of all the Himalayan ranges with
few passes.
Email id: civilstap22@gmail.com Contact us: 7889296332

The Himadri terminates abruptly at the syntaxial bends. This mountain range boasts of the tallest peaks of the
world, including Mt. Everest (Sagarmatha in Nepal and Chomlungma in Tibet), most of which remain under
perpetual snow. Kanchenjunga is the Second highest peak of India and Highest peak of Himalayas in India.
4. TRANS-HIMALAYAS
The Himalayan ranges immediately north of the Great Himalayan range are known as Trans-Himalayas. They
Stretches for about 1,000 km in east-west direction. The Trans-Himalaya are made up of granitic and volcanic
rocks formed from 110-40 million year ago. These igneous rocks intruded the metamorphic and sedimentary
rocks of the southern Tibetan block.
The Zaskar, the Ladakh, which is known as the Kailash in Tibet and the Karakoram are the main ranges.
a. The northern most range of the Trans-Himalayan Ranges in India is the Great Karakoram Range also known
as the Krishnagiri range. Karakoram Range extends eastwards from the Pamir Knot for about 800 km. It is a
range with lofty peaks [elevation 5,500 m and above, e.g. K2] & some of the greatest glaciers of the world
outside the Polar Regions.
K2 or Godvin Austin lies in the Karakoram Range and is the highest peak of India. K2 (8,611 m) (Godwin
Austen in Karakoram Range) is the second highest peak in the world and the highest peak in the Indian
Union.
b. Nanga Parbat (8126 m) is an important peak is in Zaskar Range. North of the Zaskar and running parallel to
it is the Ladakh Range.
c. Ladakh is the highest plateau of India. The Kailash Range in western Tibet is an offshoot of the Ladakh Range
and its highest peak is Mt Kailash. River Indus originates from the northern slopes of the Kailash range.
5. PURVANCHAL HILLS
Eastern Hills or The Purvanchal are the southward extensions of the Himalayas running along the north-
eastern edge of India. At the eastern syntaxial bend (near Dihang gorge), the Himalayas take a sudden
southward bend and form a series of comparatively low hills which are collectively called as the Purvanchal
hills.
They run along the India-Myanmar Border extending from Arunachal Pradesh in the north to Mizoram in the
south. These have their general alignment from north to south. They are known by different local names. In
the north, they are known as Patkai Bum, Naga hills, the Manipur hills and in the south as Mizo or Lushai hills.
These are low hills, inhabited by numerous tribal groups practising Jhum cultivation. Most of these ranges
are separated from each other by numerous small rivers.
➢ The Barak is an important river in Manipur and Mizoram.
➢ Loktak Lake in the centre of Manipur surrounded by mountains from all sides is an example of centripetal
drainage.
➢ Mizoram, known as the ‘Molassis basin’, which is made up of soft unconsolidated deposits.
➢ Highest Peak of Lushai hills is Blue Mountain or Phawngpui.
➢ Highest Peak of Naga Hills is Mount Sagarmati.
Email id: civilstap22@gmail.com Contact us: 7889296332

FORMATION OF GREAT PLAINS

GEOMORPHOLOGICALLY THE PLAINS ARE DIVIDED INTO

1. The Bhabar 2. The Tarai 3. The Khadar 4. The Bangar.

1. BHABAR
➢ The bhabar belt is about 8-16 km wide running along the Shiwalik foothills. It is a porous, northern most
stretch of Indo-Gangetic plain. The porosity of bhabar (due to deposition of pebbles) is the most unique
feature. The streams disappear once they reach the bhabar region because of this porosity. Therefore,
the area is marked by dry river courses except in rainy season.
➢ The area is not suitable for agriculture and only big trees with large roots thrive in this belt.
2. TERAI
➢ Terai is an ill-drained, damp (marshy) and thickly forested narrow tract (15-30 km wide) to the south of
Bhabar running parallel to it.
➢ The underground streams of bhabar belt re-emerge in this belt. It is a swampy lowland with silty soils.
➢ In Assam, this region is called Duars, useful for tea cultivation.
➢ These soils are generally covered by tall grasses and forests but are suitable for a number of crops such as
wheat, rice, sugarcane, jute etc.
3. BHANGAR
➢ Bhangar is the older alluvium along the river beds forming terraces higher than the flood plain (about 30
metres above the flood level). It is of a more clayey composition and is generally dark coloured.
➢ Bhangar soils contain beds of lime nodules known as kankar.
➢ Known by different names in different regions -
o Barind - West Bengal.
o Bhur - Aeolian deposits in upper Ganga-Yamuna doab.
Email id: civilstap22@gmail.com Contact us: 7889296332

o Dhaiya - Punjab (highly gullied).

o Dharos & Dhands - Indus (long & narrow).
4. KHADAR
➢ Khadar is composed of newer alluvium and forms the flood plains along the river banks. The banks are
flooded almost every year and a new layer of alluvium is deposited with every flood. This makes them
the most fertile soils consisting of ox-bow lakes and meanders.
➢ They are sandy clays and loams, drier and more leached, less calcareous and carbonaceous (less
kankary).
REGIONAL DIVISIONS OF THE PLAINS
The length of Northern plain is about 3000 km from Indus to Brahmaputra; width varies from 150 km
(Assam) to 400 km (Allahabad). It slopes south east, from Punjab towards W. Bengal. There are primarily 5
divisions of Plains:

PUNJAB PLAIN
This plain is formed by five important rivers of Indus system (the Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Sutlej, and Beas),
forming a series of ‘doabs’ —the land between two rivers. Indus and its tributaries make these plains, with 5
Doabs (area between two rivers). Punjab derives its name from 5 river waters. These are (from south to north):

• BIST: Between Sutlej and Beas.

• BARI: Between Beas and Ravi.
• RACHNA: Between Ravi and Chenab.
• CHAJ: Between Chenab and Jhelum.
• SIND SAGAR: Between Jhelum and Indus.

THE PENINSULAR PLATEAU HAS TWO BROAD DIVISIONS: The Central Highlands and The Deccan Plateau
1. THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS
Email id: civilstap22@gmail.com Contact us: 7889296332

Refer to the portion of the Peninsular Plateau that lies to the north of the Narmada river and covers a majority
of the Malwa Plateau. The Vindhya Range forms the boundary of the Central Highlands on the south while
the Aravalis form the north-western boundary of these highlands. The Peninsular Plateau gradually merges
into the sandy and rocky desert of Rajasthan and the rivers are the Chambal, the Sind, the Betwa and the Ken.
Bundelkhand is the local name for the eastward extensions of the Peninsular Plateau. The other eastward
extension is Baghelkhand. The Chhota Nagpur Plateau is the eastern extension of the Central Highlands. The
Damodar is an important river that drains this region.

2. DECCAN PLATEAU
Deccan plateau is formed by cooling of basaltic lava at the end of the Cretaceous period when Indian plate
was moving northward. The Deccan Plateau makes up most of central and southern India. It got its name
from its location: Deccan is taken from the Sanskrit word for 'south. 'The Deccan is a peninsular plateau located
in central India that includes inland sections of the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra and
Karnataka. The Deccan is delineated by the Western Ghats on the west, the Nilgiri Hills on the south, the
Eastern Ghats on the east, and the Aravalli and Chota Nagpur hills on the north.

The Deccan Plateau is a triangular landmass lying to the south of the Narmada. It has the Mahadev hills, the
Kaimur hills and the Maikal range on the eastern side. In the north-east is an extension of the Plateau, called
the Meghalaya and Karbi-Anglong Plateau. There are three prominent hill ranges on the north-eastern side
of the plateau i.e. the Garo range, the Khasi ranges, and the Jaintia hills. This is bordered by the Western
Ghats in the west, Eastern Ghats in the east and the Satpura, Maikal range and Mahadeo hills in the north.
Western Ghats are locally known by different names such as Sahyadri in Maharashtra, Nilgiri hills in Karnataka
and Tamil Nadu and Anaimalai hills and Cardamom hills in Kerala. Western Ghats are comparatively higher in
elevation and more continuous than the Eastern Ghats. Their average elevation is about 1,500 m with the
height increasing from north to south. ‘Anaimudi’, the highest peak of Peninsular plateau is located on the
Anaimalai hills of the Western Ghats followed by Dodabetta on the Nilgiri hills.
It is only in the northern part, between the Mahanadi and the Godavari that the Eastern Ghats exhibit true
mountain character and Jindhagada Peak (1690 m) in Araku Valley, is the tallest peak here. Mahendra Giri
(1,501 m), Arma Konda (1,680 m), Gali Konda (1,643 m) and Sinkram Gutta (1,620 m) are important peaks.

The Maharashtra Plateau lies in Maharashtra. It forms the northern part of the Deccan Plateau. Much of the
region is underlain by basaltic rocks of lava origin [Most of the Deccan Traps lies in this region]. The area
looks like a rolling plain due to weathering. The horizontal lava sheets have led to the formation of typical
Deccan Trap topography [step like]. The broad and shallow valleys of the Godavari, the Bhima and the Krishna
are flanked by flat-topped steep sided hills and ridges. The entire area is covered by black cotton soil known
as regur.
The Karnataka Plateau is also known as the Mysore plateau, lies to the south of the Maharashtra plateau.
The area looks like a rolling plateau with an average elevation of 600-900 m. It is highly dissected by numerous
rivers rising from the Western Ghats. The highest peak is at Mulangiri in Baba Budan Hills in Chikmaglur
district. The plateau is divided into two parts called Malnad and Maidan. The Malnad in Kannada means hill
country. It is dissected into deep valleys covered with dense forests. The Maidan on the other hand is formed
of rolling plain with low granite hills. The plateau tapers between the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats in
the south and merges with the Niligiri hills there.
Email id: civilstap22@gmail.com Contact us: 7889296332

Telangana plateau is the eastward extension of Deccan plateau with an average elevation of 500-600 m. The
region is drained by three river systems, the Godavari, the Krishna and the Penneru. The entire plateau is
divided into Ghats and the Peneplains (a vast featureless, undulating plain which the last stage of deposition
process).

The Chhattisgarh plain is the only plain worth the name in the Peninsular plateau. It is like a depression
drained by upper Mahanadi. The whole basin lies between the Maikala Range and the Odisha hills. The basin
is laid with nearly horizontal beds of limestone and shales.
4. THE COASTAL PLAIN
India has a coastline of about 7500 Km (6100 km of mainland coastline) touching 13 States & UTs. The straight
& regular coastline of India is the result of faulting of the Gondwanaland during the Cretaceous period. As such
the coast of India does not offer many sites for good natural harbours.
a. THE EASTERN COASTAL PLAINS OF INDIA
Lies between the Eastern Ghats and the Bay of Bengal extending from the Ganga delta to Kaniya kumari. It is
marked by deltas of rivers like the Mahanadi, the Godavari, the Krishna and the Cauvery. Coastal strip along
Bay of Bengal is broader as compared to the western coast. Chilka lake and the Pulicat lake (lagoon) are the
important geographical features of east coast. Regional Names of the East Coast of India:
Utkal Plains (in Odisha); wide and deltaic (Mahanadi & Brahamani delta) Chilika lake is located here.
Andhra Plains: deltaic (Godavari & Krishna delta) in middle. Kolleru lake lies here.
Coromandal Coast: (Tamil Nadu) in south; Deltaic (Cauvery delta); Pulicat lake lies here.
From the southern limit of the Utkal plain, stretches the Andhra coast. In the south of the Andhra plain is the
Tamil Nadu coast. The Tamil Nadu coast and parts of Andhra coast together are known as Coramandal Coast.
b. THE WESTERN COASTAL PLAINS OF INDIA
The west coast strip extends from the Gulf of Cambay (Gulf of Khambhat) in the north to Cape Comorin
(Kanyakumari). West Coastal Plain is made up of alluvium brought down by the short streams originating from
the Western Ghats. It is dotted with a large number of coves (a very small bay), creeks (a narrow, sheltered
waterway such as an inlet in a shoreline or channel in a marsh) and a few estuaries. The estuaries of Narmada
& Tapi are the major ones.
WESTERN COASTAL PLAINS ARE DIVIDED INTO
(i) The Konkan coast
(ii) The Karnataka coast and
(iii) The Kerala coast
West Coastal Plain are known as Konkan in the north (Daman to Goa), Kanara in Karnataka and Malabar in the
Kerala. The continental shelf surrounding the Indian Coast is widest off the Konkan coast. Many oil and gas
fields are present in this continental shelf. Famous Trombay energy field and refinery is located here. Plains
are narrower in the north (Goa & Karnataka) and wider in south (Kerala).
Jog Falls/ Gersoppa Falls (on R. Sharavati) on Karnataka Coast are the Highest in India.
The Kerala coast (Malabar Coast) has some lakes, lagoons and backwaters, the largest being the Vembanad
Lake. The backwaters, locally known as kayals are the shallow lagoons or inlets of the sea, lying parallel to the
coastline.
Email id: civilstap22@gmail.com Contact us: 7889296332

Western Ghats
• Form a continuous barrier from north to south, almost parallel to the Arabian Sea. General altitude is 900-
1100 m. These are higher in their southern part.
• Known as Sahyadri in Maharashtra and Karnataka, Nilgiris in T. N ; Anamalai, and Palni-Cardamom Hills in
Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

• Collectively Nilgiris, Anamalai Hills & Palni-Cardamom Hills form Southern Hills Complex.
• Nilgiris is the meeting point of Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats and Southern Hill Complex. Doda Beta
(2637m) is the highest peak of Nilgiris. Udhagamandalam (Ooty) is a hill station located in Nilgiris (Tamil
Nadu). Temperate forests called Sholas are found here.
• Anai Mudi (2,695m) is the highest peak of Western Ghats. It is located in Anamalai Hills and falls in Kerala.

• Famous hill station of Kodaikanal (T. N) lies in Palni Hills. The source of Periyar River lies in Cardamom
Hills. Periyar Lake is also situated here.

• Western Ghats are spread over 6 States namely Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil
Nadu.
Eastern Ghats

• Form a discontinuous line of hills parallel to East Coast.

• Known by different names at different places -
o Northern Circars in north of Godavari
o Palkonda & Nallamala between Godavari & Palar Rivers
o Shevaroy & Javadi as T. N hills
As opposed to Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats are higher in northern part. Mahendra Giri (1501m) is
the highest peak of Eastern Ghats, lying in Odisha.
5. THE ISLANDS OF INDIA
There are two major island groups in India – one in the Bay of Bengal and the other in the Arabian Sea. The
entire group of island is divided into two broad categories –
1. ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR GROUP
The Bay of Bengal island groups consist of about 572 islands/islets. These are situated roughly between 6°N-
14°N and 92°E -94°E. The two principal groups of islets include the Ritchie’s archipelago and the Labrynth
island.
Andaman in the north & Nicobar in the south, separated by a water body the Ten degree channel.
It is believed that these islands are an elevated portion of submarine mountains (Extension of Arakan Yoma of
Myanmar). However, some smaller islands are volcanic in origin. THE BARREN AND NARCONDAM ISLANDS,
north of Port Blair, are volcanic islands. Some important mountain peaks in Andaman and Nicobar islands are
Saddle peak (North Andaman – 738 m), Mount Diavolo (Middle Andaman – 515 m), Mount Koyob (South
Andaman – 460 m) and Mount Thuiller (Great Nicobar – 642 m).
The Andaman islands are divided into three main islands i.e. North, Middle and South. Duncan passage
separates Little Andaman from South Andaman.
Email id: civilstap22@gmail.com Contact us: 7889296332

2. LAKSHWADWEEP GROUP
➢ The islands of the Arabian sea include Lakshadweep and Minicoy. These are scattered between 8°N-12°N
and 71°E -74°E longitude.
➢ These islands are located at a distance of 280 km-480 km off the Kerala coast.
➢ The entire island group is built of coral deposits.
➢ There are approximately 36 islands of which 11 are inhabited. Minicoy is the largest island with an area of
453 sq. km.
➢ The entire group of islands is broadly divided by the Eleventh degree channel, north of which is the Amini
Island and to the south of the Canannore Island.
➢ The Islands of this archipelago have storm beaches consisting of unconsolidated pebbles, shingles, cobbles
and boulders on the eastern seaboard.
➢
OTHER SIGNIFICANT ISLANDS OF INDIA
1. Sriharikota Island of Pulicat lake (Andhra Pradesh). It houses India's satellite launch centr e, Satish Dhawan
Space Centre
2. Abdul Kalam Island of Bay of Bengal, off the coast of Odisha. Formerly known as Wheeler Island, missile
test facility for the most of Indian missiles including long range ones is available here.
3. Sivasamudram Island of Kaveri river. It is an island town dividing the Kaveri River into twin waterfalls, the
Gaganachukki and the Barachukki.
4. Cattle Island of Mahanadi river, Odisha. It is an island in the Hirakud reservoir completely inhabited by wil d
cattle which were once left behind by villagers when the village was vacated for construction of the dam.
5. Sagar Island of Bay of Bengal, West Bengal. The island is home to the endangered Royal Bengal Tiger. This
island is a famous Hindu pilgrim place where every year on the day of Makar Sankranti (mid of January),
thousands of Hindus gather to take a holy dip in the Ganga and offer puja in the Kapil Muni Temple.
6. Havelock Island of Andamans. Havelock Island is the largest of the islands which comprise Ritchie's
Archipelago, a chain of islands to the east of Great Andaman in the Andaman Islands. In Jan 2011, Jal Hans,
India's 1st Seaplane Service was launched Pawan Hans and the Administration of Andaman and Nicobar islands
connecting Port Blair and Havelock island.
7. Barren Island of Andaman Islands. Barren Island is located in the Andaman Sea. It is the only confirmed
active volcano in South Asia. Along with the rest of the Andamans, it is a part of the Indian Union Territory of
Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The first recorded eruption was in 1787 and the latest being in May 2008.
8. Kachchatheevu of Palk Strait. Kachchatheevu is an uninhabited island originally belonging to India, but given
to Sri Lanka in 1974 on a conditional basis. It has a Catholic shrine and has been declared as a sacred area by
the government of Sri Lanka. Recently the island was in news when the Chief Minister of Tamilnadu filed a
petition in the Supreme Court against India's ceding of the island to Sri Lanka.
9. Majuli Island of Brahmaputra river. The island was formed due to course changes by the river Brahmaputra
and its tributaries, mainly the Lohit. A hotspot for flora and fauna, the island is under threat of erosion. The
Government has sanctioned funds to save the island and also has nominated the island for inclusion in the
natural sites list of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites list.
Email id: civilstap22@gmail.com Contact us: 7889296332

10. Salsette Island of Arabian Sea. Mumbai metropolis is located on the island, which is bounded by the Vasai
Creek, Ulhas river and Thane Creek.
11. Aliabet: India’s first off-shore oil well site (Gujarat); about 45 km from Bhavnagar, it is in the Gulf of
Khambat.
12. New Moore Island: in the Ganga delta. It is also known as Purbasha island. It is an island in the Sunderban
deltaic region and it was a bone of contention between India and Bangladesh. In 2010, it was reported to have
been completely submerged by the rising sea water due to Global warming.
13. Pamban Island: lies between India and Sri Lanka.

PEAK LOCATION

Godwin Austen/K2 Highest of India in Karakoram range that is Trans- Himalayas

Nanda Devi Uttarakhand, 3rd highest mountain in India and the highest entirely within the
country

Kanchenjunga Second highest mountain in India. Nepal and Sikkim (B/w Teesta and Tamur
river).

Nokrek Highest point of the Garo Hills (Meghalaya)

Saramati Highest of Naga Hills

Blue Peak Also known as Phawngpui, highest of Mizo hills

Gurushikhar Mt. Abu, Rajasthan, highest point of the Aravalli Range

Gorakhnath Highest peak of the Girnar mountain, Gujrat

Dhupgarh Highest point of Satpura Range, Located in Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh

(Highest of MP also)

Parasnath Highest peak of chhota nagpur plateau, Located in Jharkhand, is a Jain

pilgrimage site

Mahendragiri Highest mountain peak of Orissa. 2nd highest of Eastern Ghats, next only to
Jindhagada Peak, Andhra Pradesh

Nimgiri 2nd highest mountain in Orissa

Kalsubai Highest peak in Maharashtra

Mahabaleshwar a hill station at Maharashtra

Brahmagiri On the border of Karnataka, Origin of river Kaveri

Kundremukh Located on Karnataka, literally means Horse Face

Email id: civilstap22@gmail.com Contact us: 7889296332

Doddabetta Highest point in Tamil Nadu , near Udhagamandalam (Nilgiri Hills). Second
highest peak in the Western Ghats only next to Anamudi

Anaimudi Located in Kerala, It is the highest peak in Western Ghats and in South India

Agasthyamalai also called as Ashambu Hills, lie at the extreme southern end of Western Ghats,
straddle both sides in Kerala and in Tamil Nadu

Saddle Peak highest point of Andaman.

MOUNTAIN PASSES OF INDIA

A mountain pass is a navigable route through a mountain range and these passes have played a key role
in trade, war, and both human and animal migration throughout Earth's history.

MOUNTAIN PASSES OF JAMMU & KASHMIR

1. KHARDUNGA PASS – It is the highest motorable pass in the country and connects Leh with Siachin glacier.
The pass on the Ladakh Range is north of Leh and is the gateway to the Shyok and Nubra valleys. It is
maintained by the Border Roads Organisation, the pass is strategically important to India as it is used to carry
supplies to the Siachen Glacier.

2. CHANG LA PASS – It is a high mountain pass in Ladakh and a second highest motorable pass in the country.
It is the residence of nomadic Changpa herdsmen who are primarily cattle and goat herders. It is on the route
to Pangong Lake from Leh. The Changla Pass is the main gateway for the Changthang Plateau situated in the
Himalayas. The world’s highest research station, established by the DRDO is functional in Chang La. The pass
has a temple dedicated to Chang La Baba after whom the pass has been named.

3. BANIHAL PASS OR JAWAHAR TUNNEL It is situated in Pir Panjal Range and connects Jammu with Srinagar.
It was inaugurated in 1956 after separation of India, Muzaffarabada-Srinagar, the only road connects the valley
of Kashmir with Jammu, was closed due to political issues. This pass is available only at the time of summer
season and remained closed in winters due to heavy snowfall. Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel was also constructed
recently at banihal which is the 11.2 km long, It is India's longest railway tunnel and Asia's fourth longest
railway tunnel.

4. AGHIL PASS - It is situated to the north of Mount K2 or Godwin Austin in the Karakoram Range. This pass
connects Ladakh with Xinjiang province of China.

5. LANAK LA PASS – It is situated at an altitude of about 5000m in the Aksai-Chin. It connects Lhasa(Tibet)
with Ladakh. It was the traditional boundary between Ladakh and Tibet.

6. PENSI LA - This pass connects valley of Kashmir with Kargil (Ladakh). This pass is known as the Gateway to
Zanskar and it's open between May and October only. It connects the Suru Valley region to the Zanskar Valley
region.

7. ZOJI LA PASS - This pass connects Srinagar-Kargil-Leh. The Zozila Pass is frequently named as the entrance
to Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir. The road over the pass is termed as the gateway to the majestic Ladakh. It’s
the lifeline that keeps the people of Ladakh in touch with the rest of the world. Zojila Pass has a remarkable
Email id: civilstap22@gmail.com Contact us: 7889296332

position, bordered by the Kashmir basin on one side and Drass basin on the other side. It overlooks snow-
covered summits and dense strip of jungles. The pass remains closed half of the year because of intense
snowfall and opens in the latter part of the spring season.

PASSES OF HIMACHAL PRADESH

1. BARA LANCHA PASS – It is situated in J&K (Zaskar Range) and Connects Leh (Ladakh district) with Lahaul
and Spiti of Himachal Pradesh. Near below the Baralacha-la is having a beautiful emerald lake the Suraj tal,
the source of the river Bhaga. Bhaga is a tributary of the Chandrabhaga or Chenab river. The pass also acts as
a water-divide between the Bhaga river and the Yunam river.

2. ROHTANG PASS – It is a high mountain pass on the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas around 51 km from
Manali. It connects the Kullu Valley with the Lahaul and Spiti Valleys of Himachal Pradesh. Thus, also
considered as the gateway to Lahaul and Spiti Valley. The pass also acts as a cultural divide between the Kullu
Valley with a primarily Hindu culture, and the arid high-altitude Lahaul and Spiti valleys with a Buddhist culture.
The pass lies on the watershed between the Chenab and Beas basins. It is a gateway to Lahaul and Spiti Valley
in Himachal Pradesh. The name Rohtang means 'ground of corpses' due to the number of people who lost
their lives while crossing this difficult mountain range.

3. KUNZAM PASS – It is a high mountain pass on the eastern Kunzum Range of the Himalayas some 122 km
from Manali. It connects the Kullu Valley and Lahaul Valley with the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh, India.
It is on the route to Kaza the subdivisional headquarters of Spiti. This place is also known for the Goddess
Kunjum (Durga/Parvati) temple, which is located on the top of Kunzum. The magnificent Bara-Sigri Glacier, the
second largest Glacier in the world is also located here. The Kunzum Pass separates Spiti and Lahaul Valley and
is situated at a higher altitude than Rohtang Pass.

4. SHIPKI LA PASS - It is located in Kinnaur district in the state of Himachal Pradesh, and connects India with
Tibet. The pass is one of India's border posts for trade with Tibet along with Nathu La in Sikkim, and Lipulekh
in Uttarakhand. The river Sutlej enters India (from Tibet) near this pass. The road is an offshoot of the ancient
Silk Road.

5. DEBSA PASS – It is a high mountain pass situated in Greater Himalayas and connects Kullu with Spiti. It was
discovered in 1995 and provides an easier and shorter alternative to the traditional Pin-Parbati pass route
between Kullu and Spiti.

PASSES OF UTTARAKHAND
1. LIPU-LEKH PASS – It is a tri-corner pass in the high altitude of himalayas. It is an international pass betwen
Nepal , Tibet and India. It connects Chaudan valley of Dharchula, sub-district of Pithoragarh districts in the
Kumaon region with the Byash Valley of Nepal. The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, a Hinduism pilgrimage to Mount
Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, traverses this pass. The pass is first Indian border post to be opened for trade
with China in 1992. This was followed by the opening of Shipki La, Himachal Pradesh in 1994 and Nathu La,
Sikkim in 2006. Presently, Lipulekh pass is open for cross-border trade every year from June through
September.
Email id: civilstap22@gmail.com Contact us: 7889296332

2. MANGSHA DHURA PASS – It is situated in Kuthi Valley of Pithoragarh District of Uttarakhand. Kuthi valley
is the last valley before Tibet. This is a river valley is formed by river Kuthi, which is the easternmost river of
Kumaun and a tributary of Kali river which forms a boundary between India and Nepal. The pilgrims of
Mansarovar Yatra pass through this pass. This pass is troubled by the menace of Landslides.

3. NITI PASS – It is located in the Nandadevi Biosphere Reserve. Niti is the last village of the Chamoli district
and is adjoining the Indo-Tibetan Border. Places of spiritual significance like Joshimath and Tapovan came in
the way towards Niti Pass.

4. MANA PASS - Is a mountain pass in the Himalayas on the border between India and Tibet. It appears to
now be one of the highest vehicle-accessible pass in the world, containing a road constructed in the 2005-
2010 period for the Indian military by the Border Roads Organisation. Mana Pass is located within the Nanda
Devi Biosphere Reserve and 52 km north of the Hindu pilgrimage town of Badrinath in Uttarakhand. It is the
source of Saraswati River, the longest tributary of Alaknanda River. Deo Tal is a sacred lake atop Mana Pass, it
is considered very holy since this lake is believed to be the origin of the Mythical Saraswati River. Thi s lake is
surrounded by icy peaks and remains frozen all the year around except for the month of September. In Sanskrit
the lake stands as 'Lake of The Gods’. Mana Pass was an ancient trade route between Uttarakhand and Tibet.
The pass is reached from the south by an extension of India National Highway 7 (NH-7, old number NH-58)
that connects Fazilka with Badrinath.

5. TRAILL’S PASS - It is a mountain pass connecting districts of Pithoragarh and Bageshwar of the Uttarakhand.
It is located between Nanda Devi and Nanda Kot peaks. It is situated at the end of Pindari glacier and links
Pindari valley to Milam valley and is said to be very difficult to cross.

PASSES OF SIKKIM
1. JELEP LA - Jelep La is a high altitude mountain pass linking Lhasa to India. The pass is about 4 km south of
Nathu La. It nestles between India and Tibet in the eastern part of the Sikkim in India. The word Jelep La is of
Tibetan origin and it means “the lovely level pass”. On the Tibetan side, the path stretches towards Chumbi
Valley of the Tibetan Plateau. It is truly the most level among all the passes between Sikkim and Tibet. The
beautiful Menmecho Lake flows below the Jelep La Pass. Menmecho Lake is situated a t a distance of 20
kilometres ahead of the Lake Tsomgo. It is the source of the river Rangpo chu, a tributary of the Teesta River.

2. NATHU LA - Nathula Pass is a mountain pass in the Eastern Himalayas in Sikkim and serves as the trade link
between India and China. The silk route, ancient trade route used to pass through here. Near the pass, the
beautiful blue Tsomgo Lake (also known as Changu Lake) and the new Baba Harbhajan Mandir are the top
places to check out. Nathu means "listening ears" and La means "pass" in Tibetan. On the Indian side, the pass
is 54 km east of Gangtok. Sealed by India after the 1962 Sino-Indian War, Nathu La was re-opened in 2006.
The opening of the pass shortens the travel distance to important Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the
region.

PASSES OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH

1. BOMDI LA - Bomdila is a high mountain pass situated to the east of Bhutan in the Tawang district of
Arunachal Pradesh and connects it with China. In Bumdi La Pass one of the fiercest battle took place in the
Email id: civilstap22@gmail.com Contact us: 7889296332

1962 Sino-Indian War. In 2006, Bomdi la pass was re-opened to traders for the first time in 44 years. It is the
pass from where Dalai Lama entered India escaping from Tibet.

2. DIPHU PASS - Diphu Pass is a mountain pass around the area of the disputed tri-point borders of India,
China, and Myanmar. Diphu Pass is also a strategic approach to eastern Arunachal Pradesh. It lies on the
McMahon Line.

3. PANGSAU PASS - Pangsau Pass lies on the Patkai Hills on the India-Burma (Myanmar) border. The pass offers
one of the easiest routes into Burma from the Assam plains. It is named after the closest Burmese village.

4. LEKHA PANI PASS – It is situated at an altitude of more than 4000m above sea level. This pass joins
Arunachal Pradesh with Myanmar.

5. SELA PASS - The Sela Pass is a high-altitude mountain pass located on the border between the Tawang and
West Kameng Districts of Arunachal Pradesh. It has an elevation of 4170 m and connects the Tibetan Buddhist
town of Tawang to Dirang and Guwahati. The pass carries the main road connecting Tawang with the rest of
India.

PASSES OF PENINSULAR INDIA

1. BHOR GHAT - It was the ancient trade route developed by the Satavahana Dynasty to connect the ports on
the Konkan coast and the surrounding areas of the Deccan plateau. The Great Indian Peninsula Railway laid a
railway line from Mumbai to Pune. The Bhor Ghat Railway cuts a distance of 21 km between Khandala and
Palasdari. There are 28 tunnels across the railway ghat. This ghat comes under the proposed Golden
Quadrilateral Freight Corridors. The road ghat lies between Khopoli and Khandala and is 18 km long. From
lakes to waterfalls to dense woods, Bhor Ghat offers all these delicacies of nature to be relished by the aspiring
eyes.

2. THAL GHAT - It also called as Kasara Ghat. It is a series of mountain slopes in the Western Ghats traversed
by the Bhusawal-Kalyan line. The Thal Ghat is located on the busy Mumbai–Nashik route on Sahyadri range of
Western Ghat.

3. GORAN GHAT - It is located South of Mount Abu (Aravalli Range) and connects the city of Udaipur with
Sirohi and Jalore in Rajasthan. It is about 1200 metres above sea level.

4. HALDIGHATI PASS - It is located in the Aravalli Range of Rajasthan in western India and connects Rajsamand
and Pali districts of Rajasthan. The pass is located at a distance of 40 kilometres from Udaipur. The name
'Haldighati' is believed to have originated from the turmeric-coloured yellow soil of the area. It is historically
very significant because famous Battle of Haldighati took place in 1576 between the Kingdom of Mewar (army
led by Maharana Pratap) and Mughal emperor Akbar's general Man Singh I of Amer. This region is famous for
charity rose product and the mud art of Molela.

5. PAL GHAT - It lies in the western ghats and also called as Palakkad Gap. It separates the Nilgiri Hills to the
north and the Anaimalai Hills to the south. It connects Coimbatore of Tamil Nadu and Palakkad of Kerala.

6. SHENCOTTAH GAP – It is a pass in western ghat connects Madurai city of Tamil Nadu and Kottayam District
of Kerala.

soprotection.com