Physiographic Divisions — Set 4
Geography · भौतिक विभाजन · Questions 31–40 of 70
What is the meaning of the word 'Himalaya'?
Correct Answer: C. Abode of Snow
• **Himalaya** = derived from Sanskrit 'Him' (snow) + 'Alaya' (abode), meaning Abode of Snow. • **Many 8,000+ m peaks** — the Himalayas contain 14 peaks above 8,000 m including Everest, Kanchenjunga, and Lhotse. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: King of Mountains: that is the meaning of 'Girijadhar' or Shiva's epithet, not Himalaya; Source of Rivers: describes function, not the etymological meaning; Path to Heaven: a poetic description with no Sanskrit root meaning.
In which state is the Zanskar Range located?
Correct Answer: C. Ladakh
• **Zanskar Range** = a mountain range in the Union Territory of Ladakh, south of the Indus River and north of the Great Himalayas. • **Cold semi-arid** — Zanskar valley is known for extreme rugged beauty and cold semi-arid climate; famous frozen river trek (Chadar). • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Uttarakhand: contains ranges like Kumaon and Garhwal Himalayas, not Zanskar; Himachal Pradesh: contains Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal ranges, not Zanskar; Sikkim: contains Singalila and Kangchenjunga ranges.
Which mountain range is located between the Narmada and Tapti rivers?
Correct Answer: A. Satpuras
• **Satpuras** = the mountain range located between the Narmada (north) and Tapti (south) rivers in central India. • **'Seven Folds'** — Sanskrit meaning of Satpura; the range includes Mahadeo Hills and Maikal Hills as sub-ranges. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Mahadeo Hills: a sub-range of the Satpuras, not a separate answer here; Vindhyas: lie to the north of Narmada, not between Narmada and Tapti; Ajanta Range: an outlier of the Satpuras, not between both rivers.
What is the southern part of the Eastern Coastal Plain called?
Correct Answer: B. Coromandel Coast
• **Coromandel Coast** = the southern part of India's Eastern Coastal Plain, stretching from the Krishna delta to Kanyakumari. • **Winter rainfall** — uniquely receives rainfall from retreating North-East monsoon (Oct-Dec) unlike rest of India. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Northern Circars: the northern part of eastern coastal plain (Odisha-Andhra coast), not the southern; Konkan Coast: northern western coastal plain in Maharashtra and Goa; Canara Coast: southern western coastal plain in Karnataka.
Which pass is located at the tri-junction of India, China, and Nepal?
Correct Answer: B. Lipulekh Pass
• **Lipulekh Pass** = a key Himalayan pass in Uttarakhand at the tri-junction of India, China, and Nepal; used for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. • **Historical trade route** — Lipulekh was historically used for trade between India and Tibet (China). • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Niti Pass: in Uttarakhand, connects to Tibet but is not at the India-China-Nepal tri-junction; Jelep La: connects Sikkim to Tibet (China), not at Nepal tri-junction; Mana Pass: in Uttarakhand, near Tibet border but not at Nepal tri-junction.
Which of the following is the largest inhabited river island in the world?
Correct Answer: A. Majuli Island
• **Majuli Island** = the world's largest inhabited river island in the Brahmaputra River, Assam; also India's first island district. • **First island district** — Majuli was declared India's first island district in 2016; it is a centre of Vaishnavite culture. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Sagar Island: river island in WB at Ganga mouth, much smaller; Diu Island: part of Daman and Diu UT, a coastal island not a river island; Munroe Island: backwater island in Kerala, very small.
The 'Lesser Himalayas' are also known by which name?
Correct Answer: A. Himachal
• **Himachal (Lesser Himalayas)** = the middle Himalayan range between Himadri and Shiwaliks, containing most famous hill stations of India. • **2,000-4,500 m avg** — average elevation of the Himachal range; highly compressed and altered rocks. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Purvanchal: eastern hills of NE India bordering Myanmar, not a Himalayan sub-range; Shiwaliks: outermost (southernmost) Himalayan range, not the middle range; Himadri: the northernmost and highest Great Himalayan range.
Which part of the Himalayas is famous for the 'Karewa' formation?
Correct Answer: B. Kashmir Himalayas
• **Kashmir Himalayas** = famous for Karewa formations — thick glacial clay deposits with moraines, ideal for saffron cultivation. • **Zafran (saffron)** — Kashmir is India's only saffron-producing region; Karewa deposits provide the perfect soil conditions. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Nepal Himalayas: no Karewa formation, known for trekking peaks like Everest; Sikkim Himalayas: known for cardamom and alpine flora, no Karewa; Arunachal Himalayas: known for biodiversity and passes like Bomdi La.
Which peak is located in the Garhwal region of the Himalayas?
Correct Answer: C. Nanda Devi
• **Nanda Devi** = second highest mountain in India at 7,816 m, located in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand (Garhwal Himalayas). • **UNESCO World Heritage** — Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks form a UNESCO World Heritage site. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Nanga Parbat: 9th highest in world, located in Pakistan-administered Gilgit-Baltistan, not Garhwal; Kanchenjunga: on India-Nepal border in Sikkim, not Garhwal; Namcha Barwa: in the eastern Himalayas (Tibet/Arunachal), not Garhwal.
What is the old name of the Karakoram Range?
Correct Answer: C. Krishnagiri
• **Karakoram (Krishnagiri)** = the ancient name Krishnagiri was used for the Karakoram Range; home to K2, the world's second highest peak. • **Highest K2 at 8,611 m** — Karakoram has highest concentration of 8,000+ m peaks outside the Himalayas. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Himadri: the Great Himalayan range, not Karakoram; Sagarmatha: Nepali name for Mount Everest, not a range name; Sahyadri: local name for the Western Ghats in Maharashtra.