Northern Plains – Classification and Significant Features – UPSC Indian Geography Notes

The Northern Plains: 

• The Northern plains of India form a remarkably uniform surface with a subtle slope. They are vast, featureless, and fertile plains created by the alluvial deposits brought by the rivers, including the Indus, the Ganga, the Brahmaputra, as well as their tributaries and the Vindhyan rivers flowing northward. 
• These plains stretch from the arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan in the west to the Brahmaputra valley in the east. 
• The average width of these plains ranges between 150-300 km, and the maximum depth of alluvial deposits varies from 1,000 to 2,000 meters. 
• The average elevation above sea level is around 200 meters, with a very gentle slope towards the sea. The rivers in this plain flow leisurely, and their slope from Varanasi to the mouth of the Ganga is only 10 cm per kilometer. 

• The land around Ambala is slightly more elevated. The flat nature of the land in the plains leads to frequent changes in river courses, particularly during floods, which is a unique geomorphic process in this region. 
• The Kosi River, known as “The Sorrow of Bihar,” is one of the major tributaries of the Ganga. It, along with the Gandak River, which drains the plains of north Bihar, contributes to the high flood risk in this area. 
• Over the past 250 years, the Kosi River has shifted its course by more than 120 kilometers, mainly due to the heavy silt it carries during the monsoon season.
• The northern plains can be divided into three major zones from north to south: the Bhabar, the Tarai, and the alluvial plains. 
• The alluvial plains can be further categorized into the Khaddar and the Bhangar regions.

1. The Bhabar Plain

• The Bhabar Plain is a narrow belt that runs parallel to the Shivalik foothills, spanning approximately 8-10 kilometers. 
• In the western plains, it is wider compared to the eastern plains of Assam. 
• This region is where streams and rivers originating from the mountains deposit heavy rocks and boulders, causing them to disappear due to high porosity. 
• The rivers carry coarse sediments that become too heavy to be carried over gentler slopes, resulting in the formation of a broad, cone-shaped deposit known as an alluvial fan at the foothills of the Shiwalik range. 
• Streams flowing over these fans often change their course, forming distributaries. The Bhabar tract is not suitable for crop cultivation, and it is predominantly inhabited by the Gujjar community, who practice cattle rearing.

2. The Tarai Tract

• South of the Bhabar lies the Terai belt, which has an approximate width of 10-20 kilometers. 
• In this region, many streams and rivers re-emerge without well-defined channels, creating marshy and swampy conditions known as the Tarai. 
• The Tarai is wider in the eastern parts of the Great plains, especially in the Brahmaputra valley due to heavy rainfall. 
• The Tarai is characterized by luxuriant natural vegetation and diverse wildlife. In areas such as Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, and Jammu, parts of the Tarai have been reclaimed for agricultural purposes, cultivating crops such as sugarcane, rice, wheat, maize, etc.
• However, the marshy nature of the tract makes it infested with mosquitoes and susceptible to diseases like Japanese Encephalitis (JE).

3. Bhangar Plains: 

• To the south of the Tarai lies the Bhangar Plains, consisting of old alluvial deposits. 
• The Bhangar represents upland tracts formed by older alluviums, which were deposited during the middle Pleistocene period. 
• The Bhangar land is located above the flood limits of the rivers and is characterized by dark soil rich in humus content, making it highly productive. 
• The presence of impure calcium carbonate or kankar in the soil is also common.

4. Khadar Plains: 

• The Khadar Plains consist of new alluvial deposits along the river courses. 
• These lands are wider in the eastern regions of India due to the larger flood areas created by Himalayan rivers. 
• The Khadar tracts receive fresh deposits of silt every year during the rainy season. They are composed of sand, silt, clay, and mud. 
• Much of the Khadar land has been brought under cultivation, primarily for crops like sugarcane, rice, wheat, maize, and oilseeds. 
• These alluvial plains, including both Khadar and Bhangar, stretch approximately 100 kilometers from north to south and feature mature fluvial erosional and depositional landforms such as sandbars, meanders, oxbow lakes, and braided channels. 
• The Brahmaputra plains are particularly known for their riverine islands and sandbars. Additionally, the region witnessed the first Green Revolution in India during the 1960s-70s.

5. The Delta Plains

• The mouths of major rivers in this region give rise to some of the world’s largest deltas, such as the renowned Sunderbans delta. 
• Generally, the delta plains have a relatively flat elevation, ranging from 50-150 meters above sea level. 
• The deltaic plains are an extension of the Khadar land and cover an area of 190,000 square kilometers in the lower reaches of the Ganga River. 
• These plains are depositional areas due to the sluggish flow of the river. The deltaic plain consists of old mud, new mud, and marsh.

6. The Plains of Rajasthan: 

• Located to the west of the Aravalli Range, the plains of Rajasthan cover an area of approximately 175,000 square kilometers. 
• A significant part of this plain formed as a result of the recession of the sea, as evidenced by the presence of saltwater lakes like Sambhar Lake near Jaipur. 
• During the Permo-carboniferous period, most of the Rajasthan plain was submerged under the sea. 
• The greater portion of these plains is now desert terrain characterized by sand dunes and barchans. 
• The construction of the Indira Gandhi Canal has enabled intensive agriculture in the northwestern region of Rajasthan.

7. The Punjab Haryana Plains

• The Punjab-Haryana plain stretches over an area of approximately 650 kilometers from northeast to southwest and 300 kilometers from west to east. 
• It is an aggradational plain formed by the Satluj, Ravi, and Beas rivers. The Delhi Ridge acts as a divider between these plains and the Gangetic plain. 
• The height of the plains gradually decreases from around 300 meters in the north to 200 meters in the southeast. 
• The general slope of the plains is from northeast to southwest and south. The plains located between two rivers are called doabs, such as the Bist doab between the Beas and Sutlej rivers.

8. The Ganga Plains: 

• The Ganga plains encompass the area between the Yamuna catchment in the west and the Bangladesh border in the east. 
• Spanning approximately 1400 kilometers in length and with an average width of 300 kilometers, this region has a gentle gradient of about 15 centimeters per kilometer. 
• The Ganga plains can be further divided into the following sub-regions:

1. The up₹per Ganga plain: 

• This sub-region includes the Ganga-Yamuna Doab, Rohilkhand division, and parts of the Agra division. 
• The western boundary is defined by the catchment area of the Yamuna river and the Shiwalik range in the north. 
• The elevation ranges from 100 to 300 meters. Rivers such as Kali and Sharda contribute to the water supply in this area. 
• The upper Ganga plain is highly productive and has witnessed the success of the Green Revolution. 
• Key crops grown here include sugarcane, wheat, rice, maize, mustard, and vegetables.

2. The mi₹ddle Ganga plain: 

• Covering an area of approximately 150,000 square kilometers, this sub-region includes central and eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar up to Muzaffarpur and Patna.
• It is characterized by thick alluvial deposits with fewer occurrences of kankar. Due to the low gradient, the rivers in this region frequently change their courses, as exemplified by the Kosi river. 
• The Son and Gandak are major tributaries of the Ganga that traverse through the middle Ganga plain.

3. The l₹ower Ganga plain: 

• Extending from Patna to the Bay of Bengal, this sub-region is bordered by Assam and Bangladesh in the east, the Chotanagpur plateau in the west, and the Sundarban delta in the south. 
• The rivers Tista, Sankosh, Mahananda, Damodar, and Subarnarekha also drain this area. 
• The lower Ganga plain is marked by sediment-filled faults resulting from the movement of the Indian plate. In the delta region, the Ganga splits into several distributaries, with the Hooghly being a prominent example.

9. The Brahmaputra Plain; 

• The Brahmaputra Plain is located in the easternmost part of the plains, covering an area of approximately 56,000 square kilometers. 
• It stretches for about 720 kilometers in length and has a width of 80 kilometers, with altitudes ranging from 30 to 130 meters. 
• The region is surrounded by high mountains, except on its western side. The Assam valley features a steep slope along its northern margin. 
• Majuli, spanning an area of approximately 930 square kilometers, is the largest river island in India and the second largest in the world. However, the island is currently experiencing severe erosion and requires special protection. 
• The tributaries originating from the Himalayas form a series of alluvial fans. The fertile valley is suitable for the cultivation of rice and jute. 
• It is also renowned for its tea production and is home to two national parks, Kaziranga and Manas.

FAQs

Q. Where can I find a map of the Northern Plains in India?

Ans. You can find maps of the Northern Plains in India in geography textbooks, online map services, or by searching for “Northern Plains map India” on the internet.

Q. What geographical features are typically displayed on a Northern Plains map of India?

Ans. A Northern Plains map of India typically shows the major rivers, cities, states, and geographical boundaries of the Northern Plains region.

Q. What is the significance of a Northern Plains map?

Ans. A Northern Plains map helps visualize the geography of the vast plain region, including its rivers, cities, and states, aiding in the study of its geographical features.

Q. Why is the Northern Plains of India important in the context of UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) exams?

Ans. The Northern Plains of India are significant for UPSC exams because they play a crucial role in India’s geography, economy, and agriculture, and understanding these aspects is essential for certain UPSC exams like the Civil Services Examination.

Q. What topics related to the Northern Plains should I study for UPSC exams?

Ans. For UPSC exams, you should study the geography, rivers, states, and agriculture of the Northern Plains, as well as their impact on the economy and society.

Q. What type of soil is typically found in the Northern Plains of India?

Ans. The Northern Plains of India primarily consist of alluvial soil, which is fertile and ideal for agriculture. This soil is deposited by the rivers that flow through the region.

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