9th Social Science NCERT Contemporary India Chapter 2

– Physiographic Divisions of India

– The chapter discusses the major physiographic divisions of India, contrasting the relief of the Himalayan region with that of the Peninsular plateau. It covers topics like the Northern Plains of India, the Indian Desert, the Central Highlands, and the Island groups of India.

– Northern Plains of India

– The Northern Plains of India are formed by the interplay of the three major river systems – the Indus, the Ganga, and the Brahmaputra. The plain is fertile due to the deposition of alluvium brought down from the Himalayas over millions of years.

– Peninsular Plateau

– The Peninsular plateau is composed of old crystalline, igneous, and metamorphic rocks. It consists of the Central Highlands and the Deccan Plateau, with the Central Highlands extending to the north of the Narmada river and the Deccan Plateau lying south of it.

– Mountain Ranges in India

– The chapter discusses various mountain and hill ranges in India, such as the Karakoram, the Zaskar, the Patkai Bum, the Jaintia, the Vindhya range, the Aravali, the Cardamom hills, and peaks like K2, Kanchenjunga, and Nanga Parbat.

– Difference Between Bhangar and Khadar

– The text explains the distinctions between bhangar and khadar, highlighting how the former is older alluvium lying above floodplains with calcareous deposits, while the latter is younger, fertile floodplain deposits renewed annually.