NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Geography Chapter 2: Physical Features of India

India is the best example of the  abundance of nature’s beauty, in all its forms, coexisting within the  borders of a  single country. . The NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Geography Chapter 2 describe India’s illustrious geographical divisions  and landforms where almost every possible feature of the earth exists, viz. the mountains, rivers, plains, valleys, plateaus, and deserts, coastal regions  and islands. This diversity  gives India a distinct physical feature  and allows it to carve  a niche on the world map. It also stands for India’s motto of unity in diversity. 

Students need to learn the different physical features of our country. Extramarks has illustrated the same using physical maps, resources and materials  in the NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Geography Chapter 2. With the concise syllabus using elementary language, put together by Extramarks, students  will be able to appreciate and absorb the key features of our  country and retain it sufficiently enough to perform well in their CBSE examination.  

Key Topics Covered in NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Geography Chapter 2

In sections below we have covered a brief summary about key topics covered in Class 9 Geography Chapter 2

Introduction

The NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Geography Chapter 2 give a detailed description of India’s different topography and physiographic divisions based on the tectonic movements of the earth’s crust. Compared to the relatively young multifold mountains in the north, the rock-solid stable blocks of the peninsular plateau account for one of the earth’s most ancient landforms. As per the geological survey, the Himalayas have an inherently unstable zone. These mountains represent a young structure with high peaks, swift rivers and deep valleys. This topography gives way to the rich alluvial soil in the plains of Northern India. Adjacent to this is the mineral high peninsular plateau region consisting of metamorphic and igneous rocks, with soft gradient hills and broader valleys. The tapering thrust of the peninsula into the Indian ocean gives India the advantage of a long coastline towards the east and west. Further, the islands located in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea provide a strategic location for India in terms of sea routes and maritime activities. The physical features are elaborated further with the help of pictures and maps in the Class 9 Geography Chapter 2.

The physical features of India can be divided into six physiographic divisions:

i)The Himalayan Mountains 

With its ruggedness and lofty multifold structure, the Himalayas offer the maximum physical variations than any other mountain range in the world. Stretched out in the west-east direction, across the northern borders of India, they cover a distance of 2,400 km from Indus to the Brahmaputra. As per the NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Geography Chapter 2, these young mountain ranges vary in width from 150 km in Arunachal Pradesh to 400 km in Kashmir, with more variations in altitude towards the eastern side. 

The Himalayas can be divided into three vertical parallel range stretches, interspersed by deep valleys, as given in the NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Geography Chapter 2. 

The Himalayas are made up of three mountain ranges that run parallel to each other: 

The Himadri, The Himachal and the Shivaliks

  • The uppermost or the northmost range is the Himadri, also known as the Great or Inner Himalayas. Its width varies from 400km from  Kashmir to 150km in Arunachal Pradesh. The variation is greater in the eastern half than those in the western half.
  • The next layer is the rugged ranges called the Himachal or lesser Himalaya.  Because the height of the  mountains ranges  from 3700 to 4500 metres, it is also known as the Lesser Himalayas. The famous Kashmir valley, the Kangra and Kullu valleys of Himachal and many other hill stations give prominence to this part of the Himalayas. The Pir Panjal range,The Dhaula Dhar and the Mahabharat ranges are some of the famous ranges. 

The Shiwaliks form the southernmost part of the Himalayan ranges and are composed of loose sediments from the upper strata, alluvium and gravel. They have a width of 10-15 km and a height  ranging from 900 to 1100 metres.The longitudinal valley between Shiwaliks and Himachal is called Duns. Dehradun and many such valleys and ranges between rivers have attracted tourism from time  memorial. 

  • Purvanchal, or the Eastern hills along the river Brahmaputra, are the eastern boundary of the Himalayas, with the core components of sedimentary rocks or the hardened sandstone. The Brahmaputra forms the eastern most boundary of the Purvanchal region.These ranges pass through the northeast states of India which has  thick flora and fauna. 
  1. ii) Plains of Northern India

The NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Geography Chapter 2 gives an insight into the plains of the north, situated at the foot of the Himalayas. 

This basin is formed by the conglomeration of the three major rivers:

  • The Ganga
  • The Indus
  • The Brahmaputra and its multiple tributaries. 

Rich in alluvial soil, formed over millions of years, they occupy an area of over 7 lakh sq km. The plains stretch out to 2,400 km with a width of about 240 to 320 km. Strategically positioned, the plains enjoy a favourable climate and  adequate water supply , where people and agriculture have flourished since ancient times. 

The northern plains are divided into three broad regions:

  • The western part formed by the Indus River and its tributaries lies mainly in Pakistan, called the Punjab plains. 
  • Adjacent is the Ganga plains spread across Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand. 
  • The easternmost are the Brahmaputra plains falling in West Bengal and Assam.

iii) The Peninsular plateau

The Peninsular plateau is part of Gondwana land and is the oldest landmass. Composed of igneous, ancient crystalline, and metamorphic rocks, the plateau region is characterised by small rounded hills and broad, shallow valleys. As we learn in the NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Geography Chapter 2, this plateau is horizontally divided into two broad divisions : The Central Highlands and the Deccan Plateau. . 

The part above, covering most of the Malwa plateau, is called the Central Highlands, and the southern part is the Deccan plateau. The mountain ranges found in the Central Highlands gradually merge with the Thar desert of Western India. The Highlands are sharp and narrower on the eastern side, forming the Chotanagpur plateau.

The south of river Narmada forms a triangular landmass called the Deccan Plateau, flanked by the tall Western Ghats on the west and the gently sloping Eastern Ghats to the east, which further extends towards Northeast India to form the popular Garo, Khasi and Jaintia Hills. Famous tourist locales are the Anai Mudi and Doddabetta in the Western and Ooty and Kodaikanal in the Eastern Ghats. The main composition of the Deccan Plateau is the volcanic igneous rocks and the rich black soil, which is also called the Deccan Traps.

  1. iv) Deserts of India

The Indian desert is an arid and semi-arid sandy plain located towards the west of Aravalli Hills. The rainfall here is less than 150 mm per year, with only one significant river, the Luni. The crescent-shaped dunes or the Barchans occupy most of this region. Towards Pakistan, in Jaisalmer, one can find the longitudinal dunes. This area has gained prominence in tourism with the local art, culture and traditions. 

  1. v) Coastal plains

Coastal India, formed by the triangular peninsula, has a long coastline which runs across Arabian sea in the west and the bay of Bengal in the east. They are divided into two parts given   in the NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Geography Chapter 2:

  • The narrow western coast is located between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats. The northern part  of the  coast is called the Konkan. The central part is the Kannad Plain. The southernmost region is the Malabar Coast. 
  • The eastern coast is formed in a spread-out fashion along the Bay of Bengal. The northern part of this coast is called the Northern Circar, while the Coromandel Coast forms the southern section. The rich delta found on the eastern coast owes to the Mahanadi, the Godavari, the Krishna and the Kaveri rivers. Chilka lake is an important tourist spot in this region. 
  1. vi) Islands of India

India has two island groups on the east and the west coast. The distributed coral islands of Laccadive, Minicoy and Amindivi, off the Malabar coast, were renamed Lakshadweep Islands in 1973, with headquarters at Kavaratti. The scattered islands are larger in size and number on the east coast, called the Andaman and Nicobar islands. Being closer to the equator, they have an equatorial climate. As given in the NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Geography Chapter 2, both the island groups boast rich foliage and a variety of flora and fauna. 

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Geography Chapter 2: Exercises &  Solutions

The regular usage of maps, concise answers,  and pictorial representations helps with high  retentivity among  students. Extramarks has attempted to assist the students to learn independently without any help from teachers or parents  while going through the NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Geography Chapter 2. There are case studies and project suggestions to invoke interest in the subject. The Class 9 Geography Chapter 2 provides revision notes and references.

The other Class NCERT Solutions from Extramarks are available here. In case students want to refer to prior classes for any subject, they need not look elsewhere. They can simply register with Extramarks. 

NCERT Solutions Class 12

NCERT Solutions Class 11

NCERT Solutions Class 10

NCERT Solutions Class 9

NCERT Solutions Class 8

NCERT Solutions Class 7

NCERT Solutions Class 6

NCERT Solutions Class 5

NCERT Solutions Class 4

NCERT Solutions Class 3

NCERT Solutions Class 2

NCERT Solutions Class 1

Key Features of NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Geography Chapter 2

Following are the key features of the NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Geography Chapter 2:

  • India is gifted with  major  physiographic divisions which comprises features, viz. mountains, deserts, plains, plateaus, sea coast and island, each enhancing and complimenting the other and bringing a rich culture, natural resources, lifestyles, occupation and traditional values. 
  • The mountains are the most rugged barriers of the world with large valleys, snow capped mountains, deep river gorges, large glaciers and rich vegetation. 
  • The rich river deposits in the plains of Northern India gave birth to early civilisation and agriculture in our country.
  • The mineral-rich plateau areas have paved the way for technology and industries, thus playing a crucial role in our economic development.
  • Trading and fisheries have developed well in India due to the coastal regions and islands situated in  the Indian Ocean.
  • India’s varied Geography and demography have attracted many tourists, further boosting our economy, as mentioned in NCERT Solutions for Class 9 social science Geography Chapter 2.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

  • Social sciences are to be taught to students with special care, keeping their interests and curiosity alive. Extramarks understands this need and has prepared the NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Geography Chapter 2 with thoroughly researched material supported with pictures and maps designed as per the CBSE pattern.   
  •   The subject matter experts  strictly follow  NCERT guidelines and explain  the content sufficiently to help students in the CBSE examination. This encourages the students to master the topic and increase their confidence in achieving a higher grade.  Further, the notes and question-answer solutions will help the students remember each topic and excel in  their academics.

Students are advised to go through the following questions from the NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Geography Chapter 2:

  • What are the major  physiographic divisions  in India, and which physiographic division is the oldest among them? 
  • Which region of India is known for its high agricultural production and why?
  • What kind of rock formation is found in the peninsular plateau , and what is its significance?
  • Which features help India command a strategic location  in the Indian Ocean, and how?

The varied physical features found in India have been helpful in the overall economic development. In this chapter, students learn the physical formation of India, with its diversity in physical features ranging from young fold mountains, deserts, plains, plateaus, and islands to the coastal regions, which has helped India maintain good connections and improve trading with the rest of the world. The NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Geography Chapter 2 also explains about the composition of rocks, types of soil, usefulness of the terrain, flora and fauna etc. and other characteristic features.