The alluvial deposits delivered by the rivers Indus, Ganga, and the Brahmaputra form the northern plains. The plain, which stretches for about 2400 kilometers and is 240 to 320 kilometers wide, is a densely populated physiographic division. It is an agriculturally productive part of India, with a rich soil cover, adequate water supply, and a favorable climate. This article will explain to you about Northern Plains which will be helpful in Geography preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.

What are Northern Plains exactly?

• The interaction of the three major river systems, the Indus, Ganga, and the Brahmaputra, as well as their tributaries, has formed the northern plain.
• The typical width of these plains varies between 150 and 300 kilometers.
• The maximum depth to which alluvium deposits can be found ranges from 1000 to 2000 m.
• They are separated from the Shivaliks to the south by the Himalayan Frontal Fault (HFF).
• The southern boundary runs along the northern edge of Peninsular India in a wavy irregular line.
• The Purvanchal hills border the plains on the eastern side.

How northern Plains Have been formed?

Northern Plains of India

Punjab Plains

• The Punjab plains are located in the northwest corner of the northern plain.
• The Delhi-Aravalli ridge separates it from the Ganga plains in the east.
• The Indus and its tributaries, such as the Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej, form this.
• Pakistan controls a large portion of these plains.
• It's divided into many Doabs (do-"two" + ab-"water or river" = "a region or land lying between and reaching the confluence of two rivers").

Punjab Doabs

• Sindh Sagar Doab: Between the Indus and Jhelum rivers is the Sindh Sagar Doab.
• Jech Doab: Between the Jhelum and Chenab rivers lies the Jech Doab (also Chaj Doab) (a small portion of the Jech Doab is Majha).
• Rechna Doab: Between the Chenab and Ravi rivers lies the Rechna Doab (a considerable portion of which is Majha).
• Bari Doab: Between the Ravi and the Beas rivers lies the Bari Doab (a considerable portion of which is Majha).
• Bist Doab: Between the Beas and the Sutlej rivers is the Bist Doab (or Doaba).

Ganga Plains

• Between the Yamuna catchment in the west and the Bangladesh border in the east are the Ganga plains.
• The lower Ganga plain was formed by the down warping of a section of Peninsular India between the Rajmahal hills and the Meghalaya plateau, followed by the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers sedimentation.
• Almost all of the rivers are constantly changing their courses, making this area vulnerable to flooding.
• In this regard, the Kosi River is well-known. It's been dubbed the 'Sorrow of Bihar' for a long time.
• The Ganga plains encompass the northern states of Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, a portion of Jharkhand, and West Bengal in the east.
• The Ganga-Brahmaputra delta is the world's largest delta.
• The Sunderbans, or tidal forests, cover a large portion of the coastal delta.
• Bhabar, Tarai, Bhangar, Khadar, levees, abandoned courses, and other topographical variations can be found in these plains.

Topographical Variations

• These can be classified into three categories from north to south as
  • the Bhabar
  • the Tarai and
  • the alluvial plains
• The Khadar and the Bhangar are the further subdivisions of alluvial plains.

Bhabar

• At the break-up of the slope, Bhabar is a thin band that runs parallel to the Shiwalik foothills for 8-10 kilometers.
• As a result, streams and rivers flowing from the mountains deposit heavy materials such as rocks and boulders in this zone, and at times, they disappear entirely.
• Crop cultivation is not possible in the Bhabar tract. In this area, only giant trees with deep roots grow.
• The Bhabar belt is narrow in the east and wide in the western and northwestern hilly regions.

Tarai

• The Tarai belt lies to the south of the Bhabar.
• It has a width of about 10-20 km, and most of the streams and rivers re-emerge without having been properly channelized.
• As a result, they generate the Tarai, which is characterized by marshy and swampy environments.
• This area has a lush growth of natural vegetation and is home to a diverse range of wildlife

The Alluvial Plains

The alluvial plains are further subdivided into Khadar and the Bhangar.

Khadar and Bhangar

• The Bhangar and Khadar, respectively, are a belt of old and modern alluvial deposits to the south of Tarai.
• These plains have sand bars, meanders, oxbow lakes, and braided channels, which are typical of mature fluvial erosional and depositional landforms.
• The riverine islands and sandbars of the Brahmaputra plains are well-known.
• The majority of these locations are prone to flooding and altering river courses, resulting in braided streams.

Sunderbans Delta

• The mouths of the Northern Plains' mighty rivers generate some of the world's largest deltas, such as the famous Sunderbans delta.
• The Sundari tree, which thrives in marshes, gives its name to the Sunderbans, the world's largest mangrove swamp.
• It is home to the Royal Tiger and crocodiles.
• As you go closer to the coast, the forestland gives way to a low-lying mangrove swamp, which is surrounded by sand dunes and mudflats.

Rohilkhand Plain

• On the upper Ganges alluvial plain, Rohilkhand is a low-lying alluvial region in northwestern UP.
• It lies between the Ganga River (in the west) and the Avadh Plain (in the east) (East).
• In the Mahabharata, it was known as Madhyadesh and was named after the Rohilla tribe.
• The Yusufzai tribe's Pathan highlanders were also known as Rohillas.

Awadh Plain

• It is located in the central part of Uttar Pradesh, between Purvanchal (E) and Rohilkhand (W).
• It was previously known as the granary of India.
• The Awadh plain is well-known for its distinctive cuisines and culture.
• Lucknow, Kanpur, Rae Bareilly, and Faizabad are the most important cities located here.

Rarh Plain

• The Rarh region is located between the Chota Nagpur Plateau on the west and the Ganges River's main flow (which is constantly changing) on the east.
• The lower Gangetic plains, to the south of the Ganges River and to the west of its Bhagirathi-Hooghly distributary, are known as the Rarh plains.
• The altitude varies between 75 and 150 meters.
• Damodar is the main river in this plain.
• This is a heavily industrialized area
• Previously, the Rargh plain was notorious for its devastating floods.

Chhattisgarh Plain

• The upper Mahanadi drains this saucer-shaped depression.
• Between the Maikala Range and the Odisha hills lies the entire basin of Chhattisgarh.
• It is bordered on the north by the Chota Nagpur plateau, on the northeast by the Raigarh hills, on the southeast by the Raipur Upland, on the south by the Bastar plateau, and on the west by the Maikala Range.
• The region was once ruled by the Haithaivanshi Rajputs, whose name comes from the thirty-six forts (Chhattisgarh).
• The limestone and shales in the basin are almost horizontally laid out.
• It is also known as the “Rice Bowl of India”.
• Its development has been aided by extensive coal deposits as well as significant deposits of iron ore, bauxite, manganese, and commercial clays.
• The plain's elevation varies from 250 meters in the east to 330 meters in the west.
• The main commercial centers are Bhilai, Bilaspur, Raipur, Raigarh, and Durg.
• Other developing cities include Korba, Nandgaon, and Rajgarh.

Significance of the Northern Plains

• Fertile soil, numerous rivers, and a pleasant climate make it ideal for human habitation.
• The northwestern plains enjoy a long growing season.
• The high population density aids in the development of industries.
• Many multi-purpose dams have been built to provide water for irrigation as well as to generate energy.
• As the topography is favorable for irrigation, the agricultural prospects are improved.
• They are culturally and religiously significant, with extensive literature, art, and architecture, as well as sacred rivers.
• The plains' rivers are navigable, allowing for easy transportation and, as a result, promoting trade and commerce.

Raichur Doab

The Raichur Doab, named after the town of Raichur, is a triangular region of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka states that lies between the Krishna River and its tributary, the Tungabhadra River.

Conclusion

The water divide between the Indus and Ganga river systems is formed by the states of Haryana and Delhi. The Brahmaputra, on the other hand, flows from northeast to southwest until turning nearly 90 degrees southward at Dhubri before entering Bangladesh. The fertile alluvial soil cover of these river valley plains supports a range of crops like wheat, rice, sugarcane, and jute, and hence sustains a big population.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Which of the following rivers is NOT responsible for forming the Northern Plains of India?

A. Ganga
B. Brahmaputra
C. Godavari
D. Indus

2. What is the physiographic division of the Northern Plains that has the most fertile soil?

A. Bhabar
B. Terai
C. Bangar
D. Khadar

3. Which crops are commonly grown in the Northern Plains of India?

A. Tea and Coffee
B. Cotton and Jute
C. Wheat and Rice
D. Rubber and Spices

4. The Northern Plains of India were formed primarily by which type of process?

A. Volcanic activity
B. Tectonic uplift
C. Erosion
D. Alluvial deposition

5. The Bhabar region is characterized by:

A. Thick forests
B. Marshy lands
C. Coarse alluvium and porous soil
D. Highly fertile alluvial soil

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the role of the Northern Plains in shaping India’s agricultural economy.

Answer: The Northern Plains play a critical role in shaping India’s agricultural economy due to their fertile soil, perennial rivers, and favorable climate. The alluvial soil deposited by the Ganga, Indus, and Brahmaputra rivers provides ideal conditions for the cultivation of staple crops like wheat, rice, sugarcane, and cotton. These plains support a significant portion of the country's food production, making them the agricultural heartland of India. The plains' irrigation facilities, supported by the major river systems, ensure year-round farming, further bolstering agricultural productivity.

Q2: Explain the process of the formation of the Northern Plains of India and how it has influenced settlement patterns.

Answer: The Northern Plains were formed by the deposition of alluvium brought down by the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra river systems over thousands of years. The fertile soil, flat terrain, and availability of water have made the plains a prime region for agricultural activity and dense human settlements. Major cities such as Delhi, Kolkata, Lucknow, and Patna have developed in this region, benefiting from its agricultural output and trade potential. The plains' rivers provide vital irrigation, ensuring the sustainability of large populations. Over time, the rich agricultural base has supported urbanization and economic growth.

Q3: Compare and contrast the Bangar and Khadar regions of the Northern Plains in terms of their formation, fertility, and agricultural significance.

Answer: The Bangar and Khadar regions are two distinct divisions of the Northern Plains based on the age and nature of the alluvial deposits. The Bangar region consists of older alluvium with slightly elevated terraces and less fertile soil. It is primarily used for non-intensive farming due to its lower fertility. In contrast, the Khadar region is composed of newer alluvial deposits that are replenished by rivers during floods, making the soil more fertile and suitable for intensive agriculture. The Khadar is especially important for growing staple crops like wheat and rice, while the Bangar is often used for less water-intensive crops.

Previous Year Questions on Northern Plains

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2019

Question: Which of the following regions of the Northern Plains is the most fertile?
A. Bhabar
B. Terai
C. Bangar
D. Khadar

Answer: D

Explanation: The Khadar region is the most fertile part of the Northern Plains, as it receives fresh deposits of silt during floods, making it highly suitable for agriculture.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2020 (GS Paper 1)

Question: Explain the significance of the Northern Plains in supporting the agricultural and economic development of India.

Explanation: The Northern Plains of India are critical to the country’s agricultural and economic development due to their fertile alluvial soil, abundant water resources, and favorable climate. The plains support the cultivation of wheat, rice, sugarcane, and other cash crops, which form the backbone of India’s agricultural economy. The presence of perennial rivers like the Ganga, Indus, and Brahmaputra ensures reliable irrigation for year-round farming. Additionally, the flat terrain and well-developed infrastructure have contributed to the growth of major cities and trade centers, making the Northern Plains a hub for economic activities.