The Northern Plains

This plain is formed by three river systems, viz the Indus, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra, along with their tributaries. This plain is formed by alluvial soil. It spreads over an area of 7 lakh sq km. These plains are about 2400 km long and between 240 and 320 km broad. They are densely populated due to the fertile soil, adequate water supply, favorable climate and terrain. The rivers originating from the Northern mountains slow down due to the gentle slope, which results in the formation of Riverine islands. Majuli is the largest inhabited Riverine island in the world and lies in the Brahmaputra river. The rivers split into a number of channels in their lower courses due to deposition of silt. These channels are called distributaries. They are common features of river deltas.

Parts of Northern Plain:

The three parts of the Northern plains are:

The Western part is called the Punjab plain. It has been formed by the Indus and its many tributaries. The larger part of this plain lies in Pakistan. The Indus and its tributaries — the Jhelum, the Ravi, the Satluj, the Beas and the Chenab, originate in the Himalayas. The Punjab plain is also dominated by Doabs (meaning two waters).

The middle part is called the Ganga plain. It extends from the Ghaggar river (in Haryana) to the Teesta river (in West Bengal) through the states of Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand.

The Eastern part is called the Brahmaputra plain. It extends from West Bengal, through Assam and Bangladesh to India’s Eastern border.

Regions of Northern Plain:

Along its width, the Northern plain is divided into four regions according to variation in relief feature as follows

1. After descending from the mountains,the rivers deposit pebbles in a narrow belt of about 8 to 16 km in width lying parallel to the slopes of the Shiwaliks. It is known as Bhabar belt. All the river disappear in the Bhabar belt.

2. South of Bhabar belt, the streams and rivers re-emerge and create a wet, swampy and marshy region known as Terai. Earlier it was thickly forested with a lot of wildlife, but now most of the forests have been cleared for agriculture land and to settle migrants from Pakistan after independence. Some forest still remains here. Dudhwa National Park is located in this region.

3. The largest part of the Northern plain consisting of older alluvium and known as Bhangar. It presents a terrace like feature and contains calcareous deposits known as Kankars.

The lowest region is the flood plain known as Khadar. The soil here is renewed whenever there is a flood (almost every year) so this area is fertile and best for intensive agriculture.

Sample Questions

(More Questions for each concept available in Login)

Question : 1

The Northern plains are formed of ___________________
A. Rocks and Minerals	B. Grasses and trees	C. Alluvial deposits	D. Valleys and Rivers
Right Option : C
View Explanation

Question : 2

A narrow belt of about 8 to 16 km in width laying parallel to the slopes of the Shivalik is known as
A. Doab
B. Bhangar
C. Bhabar
D. Terai
Right Option : C
View Explanation