Understanding the Bhabar Region's Location

The question asks about the specific location of the Bhabar region within the vast expanse of the Great Plains of India.

Geographical Context of the Bhabar

The Bhabar is a distinct physiographic zone characterized by its unique geological formation and location.

• Formation: It is a narrow belt, typically 8 to 16 kilometers wide, formed by the deposition of gravel, pebbles, and boulders. These materials are carried down from the Himalayas by rivers and deposited as the river gradient decreases upon entering the plains.
• Drainage: Due to the porous nature of the Bhabar tract (filled with coarse materials), most streams and rivers disappear underground, flowing through subterranean channels.
• Location: This deposition process naturally occurs right where the rivers emerge from the mountains. Therefore, the Bhabar region is situated adjacent to the foothills of the Himalayas. It forms the northernmost stretch of the Northern Indian Plains.

Analyzing the Options

Let's examine each option in relation to the Bhabar region's known location:

1. West of Indus plain

The Indus plain is a significant part of the Great Plains, but the Bhabar region is specifically defined by its proximity to the Himalayan foothills, which run across the northern edge of the entire plains system, not just the western part.

2. Along the Brahmaputra basin

The Brahmaputra basin represents the eastern end of the Great Plains. While Bhabar-like conditions might exist where rivers enter the plains in the east, the term 'Bhabar' is most distinctively associated with the Himalayan front along the northern plains.

3. Just south of the Terai

This is incorrect. The Terai region lies south of the Bhabar region. Terai is characterized by finer alluvial deposits, marshy conditions, and the reappearance of underground streams. Bhabar is north of Terai.

4. Adjacent to the foothills of the Himalayas

This option accurately describes the location. The Bhabar tract is the immediate transition zone between the Himalayan mountains and the broader alluvial plains, formed by the coarse detritus deposited by Himalayan rivers.

Conclusion

Based on its geological formation and geographical position, the Bhabar region is consistently identified as lying immediately south of the Himalayan range, marking the beginning of the Great Plains.