Geography of India: Rajasthan & Ganga Delta

Old alluvial soil found in the Doab region, formed by ancient river deposits.

A regional division of Bangar, located in Bengal's delta, formed from the eroded ancient Ganga delta.

A regional division of Bangar, formed by wind deposits in the Upper Ganga-Yamuna Doab.

New alluvial soil, fertile, deposited by recent river floods; typically found in river valleys.

White salt deposits on the surface of Bangar soil due to excessive irrigation, resulting from salty groundwater.

Excavations of Harappan cities (e.g., Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, Lothal) provided details about the geography of the era. The cities' location on riverbanks highlights the importance of rivers.

Vedic literature (Vedas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, Upanishads) contains geographical information, including concepts about the universe and agriculture.

These epics offer information about mountains, rivers, and plateaus, and also include details about pilgrimages.

Information comes from accounts of Buddhist and Jain pilgrimages and from Pali literature.

The Vishnu Purana, for instance, describes India's geography.

Indian geography studies have a long history with continuous development across different time periods.

Travels between different regions helped in gathering geographical information.

Ancient Indian settlements were often situated near rivers, reflecting the crucial role of water resources in their development.

The Rajasthan Plain stretches from the Aravalli Hills to the Indo-Pak border, approximately 640 km long. Its eastern boundary is roughly defined by the 50 cm isohyet line.

The Rajasthan Plain covers roughly 1.75 lakh square kilometers.

The Rajasthan Plain slopes from the northeast to the southwest.

The average elevation of the Rajasthan Plain is around 325 meters.

The Rajasthan Bangar is a semi-arid area within the Rajasthan Plain, receiving 25-50 cm of annual rainfall.

The Ghaggar Basin is located in the northern part of the Rajasthan Bangar; it's a remnant of the ancient Saraswati River.

The Luni River Basin is in the southern part of Rajasthan Bangar, flowing to the Arabian Sea.

The 25 cm isohyet line divides the Rajasthan Plain into parts.

A climate with less than 75-120 cm of average annual rainfall, making it dry.

Soil formed from river deposits, with Khadar being new and Bangar being old.

A type of soil with salt deposits, resulting from waterlogging.

Agriculture in Punjab characterized by fertile land, ample irrigation, large farm sizes, and easy marketing.

Punjab irrigation is extensive with Himalayan rivers and wells facilitating around 75% of the land needing water.

A climate characterized by moderate temperatures and sufficient rainfall, suitable for various vegetation and crops.

A plain south of the Sutlej River, typically semi-arid and with alluvial soil.

Punjab vegetation comprises only a small percentage of forests, and is mostly composed of pointed-leafed (pine) & broad-leafed (deodar) trees.

Located in West Bengal, bordered by the India-Bangladesh border in the east, and stretching from the Darjeeling Himalayas in the north to the Bay of Bengal in the south, and from the Chhota Nagpur Plateau to Bangladesh.

A valley region in the Darjeeling Himalayas, characterized by a semi-mountainous landscape.

A delta region formed by rivers, particularly known as the Sundarban Delta due to the presence of Sundari trees. It features sand dunes and marshy lakes called 'Chuar' and 'beel'.

A less fertile, and sometimes barren, plain in the southern part of the delta near the Chhota Nagpur Plateau.

The largest plains in the region, noted for inland fishing and jute cultivation.

Two types of land in the region; Khadar is new, fertile alluvial soil, and Bangar is older, containing alluvial, sandy and pebbly types of soil.

Mostly flat, with an average height of 50 meters above sea level, except for the northern and south-western parts, where the height is lower.

The region is drained by major rivers like the Ganga and Brahmaputra, with rivers like the Padma, Bhagirathi, and Tista originating from the Himalayas and flowing into the Ganga.

Agriculture in Rajasthan is limited due to uneven terrain and infertile land, primarily occurring in river valleys, hill slopes, and flat plateaus. It is mostly rain-dependent, with crops like jowar, millet, gram, pulses, and wheat common. Irrigation from wells and ponds allows for sugarcane, vegetables, and other crops.

Rajasthan has significant mineral deposits, including zinc, lead, iron, mica, copper, marble, and limestone.

Rajasthan's industrial development is hindered by a lack of adequate energy resources.

Stone-cutting, particularly of white building stones, is a prominent industry in southern Rajasthan, often located along major highways.

Road and rail transportation are the main modes in Rajasthan, with the western railway line covering the region.

Only 25-30% of Rajasthan's land is suitable for agriculture due to its conditions.

Rajasthan has cement factories (Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Sawai Madhopur), cotton textile factories (Alwar, Jaipur, Kota), and additional woolen, silk, jewelry, and shoe industries.

Due to extensive deforestation, forests are limited to roughly 10% of the land area in Rajasthan.