Physiography means the study of the natural and physical features of the Earth’s surface.
It includes landforms, mountains, plains, plateaus, deserts, coastal areas, islands, rivers, climate, vegetation, and water bodies.
India has a very diverse physical structure.
Its landforms have been shaped by plate movements, folding, faulting, erosion, river deposition, wind action, and coastal processes.
That is why India has young fold mountains in the north, fertile plains in the middle, an ancient plateau in the south, a desert in the west, long coastal plains, and island groups in the surrounding seas.
Table of Contents
Geological Background Of India
The present physical structure of India is the result of long geological processes.
Millions of years ago, the Indian Plate moved northwards.
This movement is still continuing and has played an important role in shaping the physical environment of the Indian subcontinent.
The present landforms of India were formed mainly by:
- Endogenic forces – forces working inside the Earth.
- Exogenic forces – forces working on the Earth’s surface.
- Plate movements – especially the northward movement of the Indian Plate.
- Folding and faulting – important in mountain and plateau formation.
- River deposition – important in the formation of plains.
Geological Divisions Of India
On the basis of geological structure and formation, India can be divided into 3 major geological divisions:
- The Peninsular Block
- The Himalayas and other Peninsular Mountains
- The Indo-Ganga-Brahmaputra Plain
The Peninsular Block is old, stable, and made mainly of ancient rocks such as gneisses and granites.
The Himalayas are young, weak, and flexible in geological structure. They are still affected by internal and external forces.
The Indo-Ganga-Brahmaputra Plain was once a large depression. It was gradually filled by sediments brought by Himalayan and Peninsular rivers.
Major Physiographic Divisions Of India
India has 6 major physiographic divisions:
- The Great Himalayas
- The Northern Plains
- The Peninsular Plateau
- The Great Indian Desert
- The Coastal Plains
- The Indian Islands
Each division has its own physical character, origin, relief, climate, drainage, and importance.
1. The Great Himalayas
The Himalayas are the highest young fold mountains of the world.
They were formed by the collision of the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate.
The Himalayas are important because they:
- Act as a natural barrier in the north.
- Protect India from cold winds from Central Asia.
- Help in the development of the monsoon system.
- Give rise to major perennial rivers.
- Support glaciers, valleys, passes, and rich biodiversity.
Read detailed blog: The Great Himalayas
2. The Northern Plains
The Northern Plains are also called the Indo-Gangetic-Brahmaputra Plains.
They were formed mainly by the depositional work of the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra river systems.
These plains are the largest alluvial tract in the world.
They are important because they:
- Have very fertile alluvial soil.
- Support dense population.
- Support intensive agriculture.
- Contain important river systems.
- Include features like Bhabar, Terai, Bhangar, and Khadar.
Read detailed blog: Northern Plains Of India
3. The Peninsular Plateau
The Peninsular Plateau is one of the oldest and most stable landforms of India.
It is made mainly of ancient rocks.
It includes the Central Highlands, Deccan Plateau, and North-Eastern Plateau.
The Peninsular Plateau is important because it:
- Contains rich mineral resources.
- Gives rise to many Peninsular rivers.
- Includes the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats.
- Has black soil regions useful for cotton cultivation.
- Forms the rigid and stable part of India’s landmass.
Read detailed blog: Peninsular Plateau Of India
4. The Great Indian Desert
The Great Indian Desert is also called the Thar Desert.
It lies mainly in western Rajasthan, to the north-west of the Aravalli Hills.
It is an arid and semi-arid region with low rainfall and sparse vegetation.
Important features include:
- Sand dunes
- Barchans
- Longitudinal dunes
- Playas
- Inland drainage
- Luni River
- Desert vegetation and wildlife
Read detailed blog: The Great Indian Desert
5. The Coastal Plains
The Coastal Plains are narrow strips of land between the Peninsular Plateau and the coastline.
India has coastal plains along both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.
They are divided into:
- Western Coastal Plains
- Eastern Coastal Plains
The Western Coast is generally narrow and has better natural port conditions.
The Eastern Coast is wider and has large deltas formed by rivers like the Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Cauvery.
Read detailed blog: Coastal Plains Of India
6. The Indian Islands
India has important island groups in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.
The two major island groups are:
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Lakshadweep Islands
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are located in the Bay of Bengal and are linked with submarine mountain systems.
Lakshadweep Islands are coral islands in the Arabian Sea.
These islands are important for biodiversity, marine resources, tourism, and strategic location.
Read detailed blog: The Indian Islands
Indian Physiography At A Glance
| Physiographic Division | Main Feature |
|---|---|
| Great Himalayas | Young fold mountains in northern India |
| Northern Plains | Fertile alluvial plains formed by Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra |
| Peninsular Plateau | Old and stable plateau made of ancient rocks |
| Great Indian Desert | Arid desert region mainly in western Rajasthan |
| Coastal Plains | Narrow plains along India’s coastline |
| Indian Islands | Island groups in Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea |
Importance Of Indian Physiography
Indian physiography is important because it affects almost every part of India’s geography.
It influences:
- Climate
- Monsoon rainfall
- River systems
- Soil formation
- Agriculture
- Natural vegetation
- Wildlife
- Mineral resources
- Settlement patterns
- Transport routes
- Defence and strategic planning
For example, the Himalayas influence the monsoon and give rise to major rivers.
The Northern Plains support agriculture and dense population.
The Peninsular Plateau is rich in minerals.
The Coastal Plains support ports, fishing, and trade.
The Islands strengthen India’s maritime presence.
FAQs On Indian Physiography
What is Indian physiography?
Indian physiography means the study of India’s physical features such as mountains, plains, plateaus, deserts, coastal plains, and islands.
How many major physiographic divisions are there in India?
India has 6 major physiographic divisions.
What are the 6 physiographic divisions of India?
The 6 divisions are the Great Himalayas, Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau, Great Indian Desert, Coastal Plains, and Indian Islands.
What are the 3 geological divisions of India?
The 3 geological divisions are the Peninsular Block, the Himalayas and other Peninsular Mountains, and the Indo-Ganga-Brahmaputra Plain.
Which is the oldest physical division of India?
The Peninsular Plateau is one of the oldest and most stable physical divisions of India.
Which is the youngest physical division of India?
The Himalayas are young fold mountains and are among the youngest major physical features of India.
Which plains are called the largest alluvial tract of the world?
The Indo-Gangetic-Brahmaputra Plains are called the largest alluvial tract of the world.
Which desert is known as the Great Indian Desert?
The Thar Desert is known as the Great Indian Desert.
What are the two main coastal plains of India?
The two main coastal plains are the Western Coastal Plains and the Eastern Coastal Plains.
What are the two major island groups of India?
The two major island groups are the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Lakshadweep Islands.
Last Moment Exam Cheat Sheet – Indian Physiography
- Physiography – Study of natural and physical features of the Earth’s surface.
- India’s landforms – Formed by plate movement, folding, faulting, erosion and deposition.
- Major geological divisions – Peninsular Block, Himalayas and Indo-Ganga-Brahmaputra Plain.
- Peninsular Block – Old, stable and made of ancient rocks.
- Himalayas – Young, weak and flexible mountains.
- Indo-Ganga-Brahmaputra Plain – Formed by sediments brought by Himalayan and Peninsular rivers.
- Major physiographic divisions – Great Himalayas, Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau, Great Indian Desert, Coastal Plains and Indian Islands.
- Great Himalayas – Young fold mountains.
- Northern Plains – Largest alluvial tract of the world.
- Peninsular Plateau – Oldest and most stable landform of India.
- Great Indian Desert – Also called Thar Desert.
- Coastal Plains – Divided into Western and Eastern Coastal Plains.
- Indian Islands – Andaman and Nicobar in Bay of Bengal, Lakshadweep in Arabian Sea.