Physiographic Divisions — Set 1
Geography · भौतिक विभाजन · Questions 1–10 of 70
Which mountain range acts as a natural barrier between the Indian subcontinent and Central Asia?
Correct Answer: D. Himalayas
• **Himalayas** = form a massive natural barrier along India's northern border, blocking cold Central Asian winds. • **2,400 km** — the approximate length of the Himalayan arc across India, Nepal, and Bhutan. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Aravallis: one of the world's oldest ranges in Rajasthan, not the northern barrier; Vindhyas: central Indian range separating Gangetic plains from the Deccan; Satpuras: parallel to Vindhyas in central India, drain into Narmada-Tapti.
The northernmost range of the Himalayas is known by which name?
Correct Answer: A. Himadri
• **Himadri (Great Himalayas)** = northernmost and highest Himalayan range, containing peaks like Everest and Kanchenjunga. • **6,000 m avg** — average elevation of Himadri, the most permanently snow-covered range in India. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Purvanchal: eastern hills bordering Myanmar, not part of main Himalaya; Himachal: the middle Lesser Himalaya range; Shiwalik: the southernmost and lowest Himalayan range.
Which of the following is the highest peak located entirely within India?
Correct Answer: B. Kanchenjunga
• **Kanchenjunga** = highest mountain peak entirely within India, located on the India-Nepal border at 8,586 m. • **8,586 m** — elevation of Kanchenjunga, third highest peak in the world. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Mount Everest: world's highest but lies entirely in Nepal; Nanda Devi: highest peak fully inside India at 7,816 m but lower than Kanchenjunga; K2: second highest in the world but located in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
What is the name of the longitudinal valleys lying between the Lesser Himalayas and the Shiwaliks?
Correct Answer: C. Duns
• **Duns** = flat-bottomed longitudinal valleys formed between the Lesser Himalayas and the Shiwaliks. • **Dehradun** — the most famous Dun valley, home to premier educational and research institutions. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Khadars: new alluvial soil in floodplains of northern rivers; Bhabar: narrow pebble belt at foot of Shiwaliks where streams disappear; Terai: wet marshy belt south of Bhabar with thick forest.
The section of the Himalayas lying between the Indus and Satluj rivers is called what?
Correct Answer: B. Punjab Himalayas
• **Punjab Himalayas** = the westernmost regional division of the Himalayas, between the Indus and Satluj rivers. • **~560 km** — length of the Punjab Himalaya section, also called Kashmir-Himachal Himalayas. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Kumaon Himalayas: between Satluj and Kali rivers; Assam Himalayas: between Tista and Dihang rivers; Nepal Himalayas: contains Mount Everest, between Kali and Tista rivers.
Which geographical feature is known as the 'Roof of the World'?
Correct Answer: D. Pamir Knot
• **Pamir Knot** = a high-altitude mountain hub where the Himalayas, Karakoram, and Hindu Kush converge, called the Roof of the World. • **7,495 m** — elevation of Kongur Tagh, the highest peak in the Pamir Knot region. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Deccan Plateau: ancient Peninsular block, not a mountain hub; Malwa Plateau: western MP region, part of Peninsular India; Chhota Nagpur Plateau: mineral-rich plateau in Jharkhand, unrelated to Central Asian ranges.
Which pass connects Srinagar to Leh?
Correct Answer: D. Zoji La
• **Zoji La** = a high Himalayan pass on NH-1 connecting the Kashmir Valley to Ladakh. • **3,528 m** — elevation of Zoji La, the lowest pass in the Himalayas linking Srinagar to Leh. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Shipki La: connects Kinnaur (HP) to Tibet; Rohtang Pass: connects Manali to Lahaul-Spiti in HP; Nathu La: connects Sikkim to Tibet, historically a Silk Road trade route.
The 'Terai' region of the Northern Plains is characterized by which of the following?
Correct Answer: A. Swampy and marshy land
• **Terai** = a wet, swampy belt lying south of the Bhabar zone, once covered with thick forests and rich wildlife. • **~20-30 km wide** — width of the Terai belt, running along the sub-Himalayan foothills. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Rocky desert terrain: describes Ladakh cold desert, not Terai; High mountain peaks: describes Himadri range; Dry sandy soil: describes Thar Desert of Rajasthan.
Which type of alluvial soil is known as 'Khadar'?
Correct Answer: D. New alluvium
• **Khadar** = new, younger alluvium deposited in river floodplains, renewed almost every year by floods. • **Very fertile** — Khadar is one of the most productive agricultural soils, ideal for intensive cultivation. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Black cotton soil: volcanic Regur soil of Deccan Trap, not alluvial; Sandy desert soil: Thar Desert soil type; Old alluvium: that is Bangar, which lies above flood level and is less fertile.
The 'Bhabar' belt is located at which position relative to the Shiwaliks?
Correct Answer: B. To the South
• **Bhabar** = a narrow pebble-and-gravel belt lying to the south of the Shiwaliks where rivers deposit their load. • **8-16 km** — width of the Bhabar belt; streams often disappear underground in this porous terrain. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: To the North: that is the Shiwalik range itself; To the West: no standard physiographic zone to the west of Shiwaliks; To the East: Bhabar runs parallel along the entire foothills, not directionally east.