Question

The range lying to the south of the greater Himalayas is known as ____________.
A. Himachal
B. Shiwaliks
C. Himadri
D. Purvanchal

Answer 1

Hint: The Himalayas are grouped into three equal ranges, namely the Greater Himalayas, the Lesser Himalayas and the Outer Himalayas. The breadth of the range located to the south of the greater Himalayas is 60 to 80 kilometres.

Complete answer: The Himadri is the northernmost and the highest range of the Himalayas. It is called the Greater Himalayas and is the only range of the Himalayas which maintains its continuity from west to east. The extent of this range is between the Nanga Parbat peak in the west and Namcha Barwa peak in the east. To the south of this Himalayas lies the Lower or Middle Himalayas.

Now let us examine the options
Option A - The Himachal range is also known as lower or Middle Himalayas which is located to the south of the greater Himalayas or the Himadri. The breadth of the Himachal range is 60 to 80 kilometres and the height varies from 1000 to 5000 metre. Some of the pinnacles of this range have a stature of in excess of 5000 meters.
Option B - The southernmost mountain range of the Himalayas is known as the Shiwaliks. Due to its outer location, this range is also known as the Outer Himalayas. The height of the Shiwalik range is very low in comparison to that of the Himadri and the Himachal ranges.
Option C - The Himadri lies between the Ravi river in the west and the Kali river in the east. It is the northernmost and the highest range of the Himalayas also known as the Greater Himalayas.
Option D - The Eastern Hills or the Purvanchal range are a mountain range of the Himalayas which has a general alignment from north to south direction. They are known by different local names such as Patkai Bum, Alaga Hills, the Manipur Hills or the Mizo Hills.

Thus, the correct answer is option (D).

Note: Pir Panjal range in Kashmir is the most important range in the Middle Himalayan zone. This range extends over a distance of 400 kilometres between the valleys of Jhelum and Beas rivers.