Northern Plains — Indian Geography

Q.1

WBCS Prelims 2021

Badland topography is an important characteristic of the following region.

A. Gulf of Kutch

B. Chambal Basin

C. Sundarban Delta

D. Konkan Coast

Explanation

Why Correct: The Chambal Basin in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh is famous for its extensive badland topography featuring deep ravines and gullies formed by severe erosion of soft alluvial soils.
Distractor Analysis: The Gulf of Kutch has coastal wetlands and tidal flats, the Sundarban Delta consists of mangrove forests and tidal creeks, and the Konkan Coast has lateritic plateaus and narrow coastal plains.
Takeaway: Badlands develop in semi-arid regions with sparse vegetation where occasional heavy rainfall rapidly erodes clay-rich soils, creating intricate networks of steep, barren valleys.

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Q.2

WBCS Prelims 2019

Bhur of Upper Ganga Plain of India is

A. Undulating, aeolian sandy deposit

B. Older alluvium

C. Newer alluvium

D. Muddy areas

Explanation

Why Correct: Bhur formations are undulating sandy uplands created by wind-blown (aeolian) deposits during arid phases in the Upper Ganga Plain, distinct from river alluvium.
Distractor Analysis: Older alluvium refers to the Pleistocene-era Bhangar deposits found at higher elevations. Newer alluvium describes the Holocene-era Khadar deposits in floodplains. Muddy areas typically indicate low-lying marshy regions like terai or khadar floodplains.
Takeaway: The Upper Ganga Plain exhibits distinct geomorphic units: Bhur (aeolian sands), Bhangar (older alluvium terraces), Khadar (newer alluvium floodplains), and Terai (marshy transitional zone).

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Q.3

WBCS Prelims 2018

Rohilkhand region lies in

A. Gujarat plains

B. Western foothill- plains of the Aravalli

C. Northern Uttar Pradesh

D. Bihar

Explanation

Why Correct: Rohilkhand is a historical and geographical region located in northwestern Uttar Pradesh, covering districts including Bareilly, Moradabad, Rampur, and Bijnor.
Distractor Analysis: Gujarat plains refer to the alluvial plains in western India, primarily in Gujarat state. Western foothill-plains of the Aravalli describe the transitional zone along the Aravalli Range in Rajasthan and Haryana. Bihar is a separate state in eastern India with distinct regions like the Gangetic plains.
Takeaway: Rohilkhand is named after the Rohilla Afghan settlers and was historically part of the Awadh region before British annexation in 1801.

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Q.4

WBCS Prelims 2008

Sand dunes form a major topographic feature of

A. Eastern Rajasthan

B. Western Rajasthan

C. Punjab

D. Gujarat

Explanation

Why Correct: Western Rajasthan contains the Thar Desert, where extensive sand dunes cover about 85% of the region, making them the dominant landform.
Distractor Analysis: Eastern Rajasthan has more fertile plains and the Aravalli Hills, not major dune fields. Punjab features fertile alluvial plains from river systems. Gujarat has coastal areas, the Rann of Kachchh salt marsh, and some dune patches but not the extensive dune systems of Western Rajasthan.
Takeaway: The Thar Desert spans Western Rajasthan and parts of Gujarat, Haryana, and Pakistan, receiving less than 250 mm annual rainfall, which enables dune formation.

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Q.5

WBCS Prelims 2006

Varanasi is located in

A. Lower Ganga plain

B. Middle Ganga plain

C. Upper Ganga plain

D. Ganga-Sutlej plain

Explanation

Why Correct: Varanasi sits in the Middle Ganga plain, which extends from Allahabad to the Bengal delta and includes major cities like Varanasi, Patna, and Lucknow.
Distractor Analysis: The Lower Ganga plain covers the deltaic region in West Bengal and Bangladesh. The Upper Ganga plain lies west of Allahabad, including Delhi and Kanpur. The Ganga-Sutlej plain refers to the Punjab region where the Sutlej joins the Indus system, not the Ganga.
Takeaway: The Middle Ganga plain is the most densely populated section and contains the highest concentration of pilgrimage sites along the Ganga.

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Q.6

WBCS Prelim 2003

The name ‘Marusthali’ is given to

A. Deccan Trap

B. Thar Desert

C. Meghalaya Plateau

D. Karnataka Plateau

Explanation

Why Correct: Marusthali is the Hindi name for the Thar Desert, meaning 'Land of Death', referring to its arid, inhospitable conditions.
Distractor Analysis: Deccan Trap is a large volcanic province in west-central India. Meghalaya Plateau is a high rainfall region in northeast India. Karnataka Plateau is part of the Deccan Plateau in southern India.
Takeaway: The Thar Desert is also called the Great Indian Desert and spans parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, and Haryana.

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Q.7

WBCS Prelims 2000

Badland topography is characteristic of

A. Chambal Valley

B. Teesta Valley

C. Sundarban

D. Ranns

Explanation

Why Correct: The Chambal Valley in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan exhibits classic badland topography with extensive gullies, ravines, and barren landscapes formed by severe water erosion on soft sedimentary rocks.
Distractor Analysis: Teesta Valley in Sikkim and West Bengal has mountainous and floodplain terrain. Sundarban is a mangrove delta region with tidal channels and islands. Ranns are seasonal salt marshes in Gujarat.
Takeaway: Ravine reclamation is a major soil conservation challenge in the Chambal region, addressed through contour bunding and afforestation programs.

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