Chapter 13 Geography and the Early Settlement of India

subcontinent India is a subcontinent of Asia. India is attached to the continent of Asia, but surrounded on three sides of water.

Geography of India

13.1 Introduction The term subcontinent is only associated w/ India 3 major zones: northern plain, Deccan Plateau & the coastal plains 2 major rivers: Indus River & Ganges River Monsoons (winter and summer)- These bring floods and destruction…also needed rain! Himalayan Mountains have a dramatic effect on the region.

physical features of India An aspect of the land, such as mountains, plateaus, and rivers

13.2 Brahmaputra River

Brahmaputra River The river starts high up in the Himalayas. Winds through snowcapped mountains and narrow canyons. The water is cold and clear and rushes over sharp rocks.

Summer Heavy monsoon rains add water to the Brahmaputra River. A monsoon is a large wind that often brings lots of rain.

Brahmaputra River The heavy rains cause the river to overflow leaving rich minerals. The minerals are used to grow crops.

13.3 Deccan Plateau

Deccan Plateau Triangle shaped area between two mountain ranges in southern India. A plateau is an elevated or raised, area of land that is flatter than a mountain.

Deccan Plateau

Deccan Plateau

Deccan Plateau Different kinds of land Large granite rocks formed by volcanoes. Hillier parts have thin forests and low, scrubby bushes. The plateau is fairly dry, but the monsoon rains provide most of the water.

13.4 Eastern and Western Ghats

Eastern and Western Ghats Long mountain chains near the coasts of India. When seen from above they form a large V.

Western Ghats Higher than the Easter Ghats. Sleep slopes, narrow valleys, thick hardwood forests, and extremely heavy rains. Wet climate encourages tropical plants.

Eastern Ghats Not as wet as the Western Ghats. Several rivers flow through these green mountains which are sprinkled with hardwood trees. Rivers rarely flood, but are not safe for travel. The rivers move very fast and plunge suddenly over cliffs.

13.5 Ganges River

Ganges River Flows across most of northern India. Rivers carry sediment from the Himalayas to the northern plains. Sediment is used as a fertilizer. During the rainy season, the river can flood and destroy crops.

Ganges River

Ganges River

13.6 Himalaya Mountains

Himalaya Mountains Located on India’s northern border. Highest mountain range in the world. “home of snows” The water from the range’s glaciers (ice fields) feed northern India’s major rivers. Earthquakes and landslides are common in the area

Himalaya Mountains

13.7 Hindu Kush Mountains

Hindu Kush Mountains Barrier between India and present-day Afghanistan. The mountain range is one of the highest in the world. Snow and ice permanently cover the slope.

13.8 Indus River

Indus River Began in the Himalaya Mountains. Gets water from the melting snow of the Hindu Kush Mountains. Best farmland in the world. Compared to Egypt’s Nile River.

Indus River

13.9 Thar Desert

Thar Desert Mostly sand and stone. Rolling sand dunes for hundreds of miles. Littered with rocks. Most of the time the heat is unbearable. There were rivers, but not now. Rain is rare.

13.10 Early Settlements in India

Early Settlements in India First people settled by the rivers. The first people lived along the Indus River Sarvasvati river used to run along the Thar dessert, it dried up around 1900 b.c.

How did geography affect early settlement in India? In northern India, the Brahmaputra, the Ganges, and the Indus rivers carry rich silt from the mountains to the plains. India’s early settlers farmed and later built walled settlements in the river valleys. This was the start of civilization in India. In some parts of the Deccan Plateau in southern India, rich black soil is good for growing cotton. The Eastern and Western Ghats are near India’s coasts. The Western Ghats are higher and wetter than the Eastern Ghats. The Himalayas along India’s northern border are the highest mountains in the world. The Hindu Kush range runs through present-day Pakistan. It provides access through the Khyber Pass to the Indian subcontinent. The Thar Desert is a vast desert in northern India which has huge sand dunes, little plant life, and extreme heat. Dust storms are common. Animals, such as lizards, snakes, gazelles, and a variety of birds, live here.