The Northern Plains are a vast stretch of flat, fertile land formed by deposits of three major river systems: the Indus, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra. They are also called the Indo-Gangetic Plains and feed a large part of the country, making them important for geography exams.
Formation of the Plains
- Formed by alluvial soil deposited by rivers over millions of years.
- They spread over about 7 lakh square kilometres.
- The plains are nearly flat with a gentle slope.
Three River Divisions
- Punjab Plains - formed by the Indus and its tributaries.
- Ganga Plains - the largest part, spread across many states.
- Brahmaputra Plains - mainly in Assam.
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Four Relief Belts
- Bhabar - narrow belt of pebbles where rivers disappear underground.
- Terai - wet, marshy zone below Bhabar where streams reappear.
- Bhangar - older alluvium, contains lime nodules called kankar.
- Khadar - newer alluvium, very fertile, renewed by floods.
Importance of the Plains
- Most fertile and densely populated region of India.
- Main producer of wheat, rice and sugarcane.
- Flat land supports roads, railways and dense settlements.
Quick Revision Points
- Northern Plains are formed by Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra.
- Also called the Indo-Gangetic Plains.
- Bhabar is a pebbly belt where rivers go underground.
- Khadar is new, fertile alluvium renewed by floods.
- Bhangar contains kankar (lime nodules).
- The plains spread over about 7 lakh sq km.
- They are India's most fertile and crowded region.