The Great Plains of India

The alluvial deposits delivered by the rivers — the Indus, Ganga, and the Brahmaputra – form the northern plains. From east to west, the plains stretch for around 3,200 kilometers. The plains' typical breadth varies between 150 and 300 kilometers. Alluvium deposits can be found at depths ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 meters. These can be separated into three major zones from north to south: the Bhabar, the Tarai, and the alluvial plains. The alluvial plains are further subdivided into the Khadar a and the Khadar b. The alluvial deposits delivered by the rivers — the Indus, Ganga, and the Brahmaputra – form the northern plains. From east to west, the plains stretch for around 3,200 kilometers. The plains' typical breadth varies between 150 and 300 kilometers. Alluvium deposits can be found at depths ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 meters. These can be separated into three major zones from north to south: the Bhabar, the Tarai, and the alluvial plains. The Khadar and Bhangar are two sub-regions of the alluvial plains.

More Details on the Physiographic Division of Great Plains of India

At the break-up of the slope, Bhabar is a thin band that runs parallel to the Shiwalik foothills for 8-10 kilometers. As a result, streams and rivers flowing from the mountains deposit heavy materials such as rocks and boulders in this zone, and at times, they disappear entirely. The Tarai belt, which stretches south of the Bhabar and has a width of 10-20 km, is where most streams and rivers re-emerge without a well-delineated channel, resulting in marshy and swampy conditions known as the Tarai. This area features a lush growth of natural vegetation and is home to a diverse range of wildlife.

The Bhangar and Khadar, respectively, are a belt of old and modern alluvial deposits to the south of Tarai. These plains have sand bars, meanders, oxbow lakes, and braided channels, which are typical of mature fluvial erosional and depositional landforms. The riverine islands and sandbars of the Brahmaputra plains are well-known. The majority of these locations are prone to flooding and altering river courses, resulting in braided streams. The mouths of these massive rivers also produce some of the world's largest deltas, such as the famous Sunderbans delta.

Aside from that, it's a flat plain with a general elevation of 50-150 meters above mean sea level. Between the Indus and Ganga river systems, the states of Haryana and Delhi constitute a water divide. The Brahmaputra River, on the other hand, flows from northeast to southwest before making a nearly 90-degree southerly swing at Dhubri before entering Bangladesh. The fertile alluvial soil cover of these river valley plains supports a range of crops like wheat, rice, sugarcane, and jute, and hence sustains a big population.

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Name the three major rivers which form the great northern plains of India

The Three Major Rivers which form the great plains of India

Ganga Basin

In the Northern Plains, the Ganga is the most important river. Bhagirathi is a Himalayan river that originates from the Gangotri glacier. The Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers join Bhagirathi on their trip down the slopes. The Ganga is formed by the confluence of these three rivers. Near Rishikesh, it joins the plains as a large river. The Ganga divides into two streams as it travels through the states of Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal.

Brahmaputra Basin

The Brahmaputra River originates in Tibet and flows eastward towards India. In Assam, it flows across a narrow valley. During the wet season, the river is always flooded. It enters Bangladesh and merges with the Padma River. Before pouring into the Bay of Bengal, the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers join to form the world's largest delta. Sunder bans are the name for this area. The rivers that flow down from the Himalayas have enough water all year. During the summer, the snow and ice melt, and the water rushes into the rivers.

Indus Basin

The Punjab area is formed by the northern half of the Indus Valley and its tributaries, while the Sindhand region is formed by the Indus' lower course, which finishes in a vast delta. Many cultures in the region have depended on the river throughout history. A great Bronze Age urban civilization emerged around the third millennium BC. The Punjab region was referred to as Sapta Sindhu in the Hindu Rigveda hymns and Hapta Hindu in the Zoroastrian Avesta hymns during the 2nd millennium BC (both terms meaning "seven rivers"). Gandhara and the Ror dynasty of Sauvra were two of the first historical kingdoms to rise in the Indus Valley. The Indus River was first discovered by the West in the Classical Period when King Darius of Persia dispatched his Greek subject Scylax of Caryanda to investigate it around 515 BC.

Fun Fact - The Great Plains of India

1. The great Indian plains are made up of alluvial soil.

2. Ganga-Brahmaputra-Indus all the three rivers make up the great plains of India.

3. The plains of the Indo-Gangetic region are divided into two drainage basins by Delhi Ridge.

4. The Northern plain of India is one of the highly farmed areas of the world.