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Question

Which of the following statements in respect to the Indian Peninsular Plateau are correct?

1. The Deccan Plateau gradually rises from North to South.

2. The Malwa Plateau dominates the Vindhyan scarps, forming the Eastern flank of the plateau.

3. The Western Satpuras separate the Narmada and Tapi rivers.

4. The Chota Nagpur Plateau is composed of Archaean granite and gneiss rocks.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

This question was previously asked in
CDS I 2017 General Knowledge Previous Year Paper (05-Feb-2017)
The correct answer is

1, 3 and 4 only

Understanding the Indian Peninsular Plateau Statements

The Indian Peninsular Plateau is a large, triangular landmass that is part of the oldest landmass, the Gondwana land. It is characterized by ancient crystalline, igneous, and metamorphic rocks. The plateau has broad and shallow valleys and rounded hills. Let's analyze each statement provided regarding the Indian Peninsular Plateau.

Analyzing Statement 1: Deccan Plateau Rise

Statement 1 says: The Deccan Plateau gradually rises from North to South.

The Deccan Plateau is the largest part of the Indian Peninsular Plateau. While its general slope is from west to east, which is evident from the flow of major rivers like Godavari, Krishna, and Cauvery towards the Bay of Bengal, the elevation does generally increase as you move southward within the Deccan Plateau region. The northern parts, like the Maharashtra Plateau, have relatively lower elevations compared to the southern parts, such as the Mysore Plateau (Karnataka Plateau). Therefore, the statement that the Deccan Plateau gradually rises from North to South is geographically accurate in terms of overall elevation trend.

Status: Correct

Analyzing Statement 2: Malwa Plateau and Vindhyan Scarps

Statement 2 says: The Malwa Plateau dominates the Vindhyan scarps, forming the Eastern flank of the plateau.

The Malwa Plateau is located to the northwest of the Vindhya Range. The Vindhyan Range forms the southern boundary of the Malwa Plateau and acts as a scarp face facing the Malwa region in some parts. The Malwa Plateau itself is drained by rivers like Chambal, Sind, Betwa, and Ken, which flow northward into the Yamuna river system. It does not form the eastern flank of the entire Peninsular Plateau; rather, it is located in the northern part of the peninsular region. The statement incorrectly places the Malwa Plateau as dominating the Vindhyan scarps and forming the eastern flank of the plateau.

Status: Incorrect

Analyzing Statement 3: Satpura Range and Rivers

Statement 3 says: The Western Satpuras separate the Narmada and Tapi rivers.

The Satpura Range is a range of hills in central India. It runs parallel to the Vindhya Range, and together these ranges divide northern India from southern India. The Narmada River flows in a rift valley to the north of the Satpura Range, and the Tapi River flows in another rift valley to the south of the Satpura Range. Therefore, the Satpura Range, including its western parts (like the Rajpipla Hills), lies between the Narmada and Tapi rivers and effectively separates their basins. This statement is geographically correct.

Status: Correct

Analyzing Statement 4: Chota Nagpur Plateau Composition

Statement 4 says: The Chota Nagpur Plateau is composed of Archaean granite and gneiss rocks.

The Chota Nagpur Plateau, located in eastern India (covering parts of Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, and Chhattisgarh), is known for its rich mineral wealth. Geologically, it is primarily composed of ancient rocks, including large expanses of Archaean granite and gneiss. These are very old crystalline rocks that form the core of the Indian Peninsular block. This statement accurately describes the geological composition of the Chota Nagpur Plateau.

Status: Correct

Summary of Correct Statements on Peninsular Plateau

Based on the analysis:

  • Statement 1: The Deccan Plateau gradually rises from North to South. (Correct)
  • Statement 2: The Malwa Plateau dominates the Vindhyan scarps, forming the Eastern flank of the plateau. (Incorrect)
  • Statement 3: The Western Satpuras separate the Narmada and Tapi rivers. (Correct)
  • Statement 4: The Chota Nagpur Plateau is composed of Archaean granite and gneiss rocks. (Correct)

The correct statements are 1, 3, and 4.

Conclusion

The statements that are correct in respect to the Indian Peninsular Plateau are 1, 3, and 4. Therefore, the correct option is the one listing these three statements.

Revision Table: Indian Peninsular Plateau Facts

Statement No. Statement Content Correctness Status Reasoning Summary
1 Deccan Plateau rises North to South. Correct Elevation generally increases southwards in Deccan.
2 Malwa Plateau dominates Vindhyan scarps, Eastern flank. Incorrect Malwa is NW of Vindhyas; Vindhyas form its southern edge; not Eastern flank of main plateau.
3 Western Satpuras separate Narmada and Tapi. Correct Satpura Range lies between the Narmada and Tapi rift valleys.
4 Chota Nagpur Plateau has Archaean granite/gneiss. Correct Chota Nagpur is composed of ancient crystalline rocks.

Additional Information on Indian Plateau Geography

The Indian Peninsular Plateau is a key physiographic division of India. It is broadly divided into two parts: the Central Highlands and the Deccan Plateau. The Central Highlands include the Malwa Plateau, the Bundelkhand, the Baghelkhand, and the Chota Nagpur Plateau.

  • Deccan Plateau: Lies south of the Narmada River. It is bounded by the Western Ghats in the west, the Eastern Ghats in the east, and the Satpura, Mahadeo, Kaimur hills, and the Maikal range in the north. The slope is generally west to east.
  • Central Highlands: Lie north of the Narmada River. They are wider in the west but narrower in the east.
  • Malwa Plateau: Located between the Aravalli Range and the Vindhya Range. It is dissected by rivers draining into the Yamuna.
  • Chota Nagpur Plateau: The northeastern-most part of the Peninsular Plateau. It is drained mainly by the Damodar River. It's famous for its extensive coal and mineral deposits.
  • Satpura Range: Part of the northern boundary ranges of the Deccan Plateau. Composed of a series of seven folded mountains. It lies between the Narmada and Tapi rivers.

Understanding the relative locations and characteristics of these sub-regions is crucial for comprehending the geography of the Indian Peninsular Plateau.

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