Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau and the Ghats (ISC Class 12 Geography)
Updated 17 October 2026 · Fact-checked
The Indus-Ganga-Brahmaputra Plains are a gently sloping alluvial belt about 2,400 km long, with bhabar, tarai, bhangar and khadar from the foothills southwards. The Peninsular Plateau is a triangular tableland of 600 to 900 m with the Malwa, Chotanagpur and Deccan plateaus, bounded by the Western Ghats (higher, continuous) and the Eastern Ghats (lower, broken by rivers).
Understand Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau and the Western and Eastern Ghats
1. The Indus-Ganga-Brahmaputra Plains. A vast plain about 2,400 km long and 150 to 300 km wide lies between the Himalayas and the Peninsula. It is built of alluvium and has a very gentle slope and little relief.
2. Relief features from the foothills southwards.
- Bhabar: a narrow belt about 8 to 16 km wide at the foot of the Shiwaliks where rivers drop pebbles and boulders. It is so porous that small streams vanish underground, so it is unsuitable for farming.
- Tarai: a belt about 15 to 30 km wide south of the bhabar where the underground streams re-emerge. It is marshy, with dense forest and wildlife, much of which has now been cleared for farming.
- Bhangar: older alluvium on higher ground above the flood level, with lime nodules (kankar); less fertile.
- Khadar: newer alluvium on the floodplains, renewed by floods every year; very fertile.
- Doab: the land between two rivers, for example the Ganga-Yamuna doab.
3. Regional divisions of the plains. The Rajasthan plain, including the Great Indian (Thar) Desert, is dry with sand dunes and salt lakes. The Punjab plain was built by the Indus and its tributaries and is made of doabs. The Ganga plain is the largest part, from the Yamuna to Bengal, with the delta in the east. The Brahmaputra (Assam) plain is a narrow valley with river islands such as Majuli.
4. The Peninsular Plateau. It is a triangular tableland south of the plains, bounded by the Aravallis in the north-west, the Rajmahal hills in the east, and the Western and Eastern Ghats on the two sides. The average height is 600 to 900 m and the general slope is from west to east.
- Malwa Plateau: between the Aravallis and the Vindhyas; covered by lava and black soil; drained by the Chambal, whose ravines form badlands.
- Chotanagpur Plateau: in Jharkhand and nearby; rich in minerals (coal, iron ore, mica); drained by the Damodar, which flows through a rift valley.
- Deccan Plateau: south of the Satpuras, between the two Ghats; its north-western part is covered by Deccan Trap basalt.
5. Badlands and Aravallis. Badlands are land cut into deep gullies and ravines by running water, as in the Chambal valley. The Aravallis are among the oldest fold mountains in the world, now low residual hills; the highest point is Guru Shikhar near Mount Abu.
6. Western Ghats versus Eastern Ghats.
- Height: the Western Ghats average about 900 to 1,600 m, with Anai Mudi (about 2,695 m) the highest peak of South India; the Eastern Ghats are lower, averaging about 600 m.
- Continuity: the Western Ghats are continuous, broken only by passes such as Thal, Bhor and Pal; the Eastern Ghats are discontinuous and cut by rivers.
- Width: the Western Ghats are narrow, the Eastern Ghats broader.
- Rivers: the Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri rise in the Western Ghats; no large river rises in the Eastern Ghats.
- Slope: the Western Ghats fall steeply to the west coast; the Eastern Ghats slope gently.
Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau and the Western and Eastern Ghats: key facts
- Plains features
Bhabar 8-16 km, pebbles Tarai 15-30 km, marsh Bhangar old alluvium, kankar Khadar new alluvium - Plains size
- About 2,400 km long
- 150-300 km wide
- gentle slope
- Plateau divisions
Malwa Chambal, badlands Chotanagpur Damodar, minerals Deccan Trap basalt - Ghats
- Heights
- Peninsular Plateau 600-900 m
- Anai Mudi about 2,695 m
- Eastern Ghats about 600 m
How to answer Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau and the Western and Eastern Ghats questions
For relief-feature and comparison questions, name the location, the material, the height or width, and the use.
- 1Place the feature in the sequence: Shiwaliks, bhabar, tarai, plains (bhangar and khadar).
- 2State the material (pebbles, marsh, old or new alluvium).
- 3Give the standard width or height figures: bhabar 8-16 km, tarai 15-30 km, Western Ghats about 900-1,600 m, Eastern Ghats about 600 m.
- 4Add the economic use (farming, minerals, black soil).
- 5For Ghats, compare on height, continuity, width, rivers and slope in paired points.
Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau and the Western and Eastern Ghats in real life
The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.
Choosing a farm site on the plains
Suppose a farmer inherits two plots on the Ganga plain: one on the floodplain beside a river and one on slightly higher ground with lime nodules in the soil. A neighbour wants to buy the plot near the foothills.
Name the relief type of the first two plots and say which gives better yields without extra fertiliser.
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- The floodplain plot is khadar, new alluvium renewed by floods.
- The higher plot with lime nodules (kankar) is bhangar, older and less fertile.
- A plot at the foothills in the pebbly belt would be bhabar, which drains water away and is unsuitable for farming.
Answer: Floodplain: khadar (more fertile); higher plot: bhangar; the foothill belt (bhabar) is unsuitable.
Memory hook: Khadar is the fresh layer; bhangar is the older layer.
Driving over a mountain pass
Suppose a driver travelling from the Konkan coast towards the Deccan plateau crosses a pass, and later travels to the Bay of Bengal coast without climbing much.
Explain why a pass is useful on the first route and why the second route feels different.
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- The Western Ghats are continuous and high, broken only by passes such as Thal, Bhor and Pal, so roads use these passes.
- The Eastern Ghats are lower, broken by rivers and slope gently, so the second route is easier.
Answer: Continuous Western Ghats need passes; the low, discontinuous Eastern Ghats do not.
Memory hook: Western wall, eastern gaps.
Tricks to remember Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau and the Western and Eastern Ghats
Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.
B-T-B-K from the foothills
Bhabar, Tarai, Bhangar, Khadar: from the Shiwaliks southwards towards the river.
Use it when: Order of plains features.
Western Ghats are the wall
Western Ghats: continuous, high, narrow. Eastern Ghats: broken, low, broad.
Use it when: Ghats comparison.
Three plateaus, three rivers
Malwa - Chambal, Chotanagpur - Damodar, Deccan - Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri (rising in the Western Ghats).
Use it when: Plateau divisions.
Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau and the Western and Eastern Ghats: solved examples
Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.
Example 1: Bhabar · 2 marks · Short answerBoard level
What is the bhabar? State two of its features.
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- The bhabar is a narrow belt, about 8 to 16 km wide, at the foot of the Shiwaliks.
- Features: pebbles and boulders deposited by rivers; so porous that streams disappear underground and farming is not possible.
Answer: A narrow pebbly belt at the foot of the Shiwaliks where streams sink underground.
Example 2: Doab · 1 mark · Short answerBoard level
Define a doab and give one example.
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- A doab is the land between two rivers.
- Example: the Ganga-Yamuna doab.
Answer: Land between two rivers; for example the Ganga-Yamuna doab.
Example 3: Bhangar versus khadar · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Distinguish between bhangar and khadar on the basis of (a) age, (b) location, (c) fertility.
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- (a) Bhangar is older alluvium; khadar is newer alluvium.
- (b) Bhangar lies on higher ground above the flood level; khadar lies on the floodplains and is renewed by yearly floods.
- (c) Bhangar has lime nodules (kankar) and is less fertile; khadar is very fertile.
Answer: Bhangar: old, high, kankar, less fertile. Khadar: new, floodplain, flooded yearly, very fertile.
Example 4: Western and Eastern Ghats · 4 marks · Long answerHarder board level
A traveller finds a high, unbroken wall of hills falling steeply towards the sea on one coast, and a lower, broader and gappy range on the other. Name both ranges and support the identification with four features.
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- Height: Western Ghats average about 900-1,600 m (Anai Mudi about 2,695 m); Eastern Ghats about 600 m.
- Continuity: Western continuous, broken only by passes; Eastern discontinuous, cut by rivers.
- Rivers: Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri rise in the Western Ghats; no large river rises in the Eastern Ghats.
- Slope: Western fall steeply to the west coast; Eastern slope gently.
Answer: Western Ghats are higher, continuous, source of the main rivers and steep; Eastern Ghats are lower, broken, with no major river source and gentle slope.
Example 5: Chambal badlands · 4 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency
Case: A student sees a photograph of deep gullies and ravines near the Chambal river and asks (a) what this landform is called, (b) how it forms, (c) on which plateau it lies, (d) what covers the surface of that plateau.
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- (a) Badlands.
- (b) Running water cuts the land into deep gullies and ravines.
- (c) The Malwa Plateau, which is drained by the Chambal.
- (d) The Malwa Plateau is covered by lava and black soil.
Answer: (a) Badlands (b) gully erosion by running water (c) Malwa Plateau (d) lava and black soil.
Where students lose marks in Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau and the Western and Eastern Ghats
The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.
Mistake: Swapping bhabar and bhangar
The names look similar.
Wrong working
Bhabar is older alluvium with lime nodules.
Right working
Bhabar is the pebbly belt at the foothills; bhangar is the older alluvium with kankar.
Do this: Bhabar = boulders at the Base; bhangar = old and high.
Usually costs: 1 to 2 marks.
Mistake: Reversing the Ghats
Candidates write that the Eastern Ghats are continuous.
Do this: Western = continuous with passes; Eastern = broken by rivers.
Usually costs: 1 mark.
Mistake: Describing the plains without the four features in order
Features are listed randomly.
Do this: Follow bhabar, tarai, bhangar, khadar from the foothills.
Usually costs: 1 to 2 marks.
Mistake: Placing Chotanagpur or Malwa in the wrong location or river basin
Students mix up the plateau divisions and their rivers.
Wrong working
Malwa Plateau is in Jharkhand and is drained by the Damodar.
Right working
Malwa lies between the Aravallis and Vindhyas and is drained by the Chambal; Chotanagpur is in Jharkhand and is drained by the Damodar.
Do this: Learn the pairs: Malwa - Chambal, Chotanagpur - Damodar, Deccan - south of the Satpuras.
Usually costs: 1 mark.
Exam tips
- Give one number for each feature (8-16 km for bhabar, 15-30 km for tarai).
- Use paired points in the Ghats comparison.
- For plateau divisions, name the river and the resource.
- Draw and label a section from the Shiwaliks to the river to show the four belts.
Practice questions on Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau and the Western and Eastern Ghats
Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.
Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level
The marshy belt south of the bhabar is called the:
(a) khadar
(b) tarai
(c) bhangar
(d) doabHint
Underground streams re-emerge.
Answer
(b) tarai.
Q2 · 4 marks · Long answerHarder board level
Name the four regional divisions of the Indus-Ganga-Brahmaputra plains and give one feature of each.
Hint
West to east.
Answer
Rajasthan plain: Thar Desert with dunes and salt lakes. Punjab plain: built by the Indus and its tributaries, made of doabs. Ganga plain: largest part, delta in the east. Brahmaputra plain: narrow valley with river islands such as Majuli.
Q3 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Explain why the tarai region was once marshy with dense forest, mentioning the bhabar.
Hint
Where do the vanishing streams go?
Answer
Streams sink into the pebbly, porous bhabar, flow underground, and re-emerge in the belt south of it, making it marshy; the moisture supported dense forest and wildlife.
Q4 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Name the plateau of the Peninsula that (a) lies between the Aravallis and the Vindhyas, (b) is rich in coal, iron ore and mica, (c) lies south of the Satpuras.
Hint
Malwa, Chotanagpur, Deccan.
Answer
(a) The Malwa Plateau. (b) The Chotanagpur Plateau. (c) The Deccan Plateau.
Q5 · 4 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency
Rivers such as the Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri flow east although they rise very close to the west coast. Using the features of the two Ghats and the slope of the plateau, give reasons.
Hint
Slope west to east; which Ghats are the sources.
Answer
The rivers rise in the Western Ghats, which are higher and fall steeply to the west coast. The plateau slopes from west to east, so the water flows across it. The Eastern Ghats are low and broken by rivers, so the rivers pass through the gaps to the Bay of Bengal.
Test your recall
Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.
1.Length and width of the northern plains?Show answer
About 2,400 km long and 150 to 300 km wide.
2.What is kankar?Show answer
Lime nodules found in the bhangar.
3.Which river drains the Malwa Plateau?Show answer
The Chambal.
4.Highest peak of South India?Show answer
Anai Mudi, about 2,695 m.
5.Which Ghats are discontinuous?Show answer
The Eastern Ghats.
Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau and the Western and Eastern Ghats: frequently asked questions
Why is the khadar more fertile than the bhangar?
It is newly deposited and renewed by floods every year.
What is the Great Indian Desert called locally?
The Great Indian Desert is locally and commonly called the Thar Desert (Marusthali).
Where is Majuli?
In the Brahmaputra (Assam) plain, as a river island.
Which plateau is covered by Deccan Trap basalt?
The north-western part of the Deccan Plateau.