Question Discussion & Solution

The correct answer (A), (B), and (D)

Key Points

Western Sandy Plains of Rajasthan

• On the basis of the existing relief features, Rajasthan has been divided into
• The following physiographic divisions:
  • Western Sandy Plains: The Western Sandy Plains is subdivided into two units:
    • Sandy Arid Plains 
    • Marusthali
• Semi-Arid Transitional Plains (Rajasthan Bagar)
  • Luni Basin (Godwar Tract)
  • Plain of Interior Drainage (Shekhawati Tract)
  • Ghaggar Plain​

Important Points

• More than 60% of the Thar desert lies in the state of Rajasthan and extends into Gujarat, Punjab, and Haryana.
• The maximum area is covered in Rajasthan and the area of the total cover is 208,110 km.
  • covering the districts of Barmer, Jaisalmer, Jalor, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Ganganagar, Churu, Jhunjhunun, Sikar, Nagaur, and Pali.
• The Thar Desert, also known as the Great Indian Desert.
• It is the world's 20th-largest desert and the world's 9th-largest hot subtropical desert.
  • About 85% of the Thar Desert is in India, and about 15% is in Pakistan.
• The northeastern part of the Thar Desert lies between the Aravalli Hills.
  • The Western Sandy Plains is one of the most prominent physical divisions of Rajasthan. It covers a large part of the state in the west and the northwest of the Aravalli axis.​

The correct answer is Chambal.

• Dev Giri Fort:
  • The Fort is located on the east of Unt Giri on the bank of Chambal River.
  • In year 1506-07 attack of Sikander Lodhi caused major damage to this fort.
  • In present it has one Bawadi, ransacked stone scriptures and few remains of palace are available.

Additional Information

• Chambal river is one of the cleanest perennial rivers of India.
• It originates from Janapav, south of Mhow town, of the Vindhya Range in Madhya Pradesh.
• Dams on Chambal river:
  • Gandhi Sagar dam
  • Rana Pratap Sagar dam 
  • Jawahar Sagar Dam 
  • Kota Barrage 

The correct answer is Mahi.

Key Points

• Tropic of cancer in Rajasthan-
  • The Tropic of Cancer, which is also referred to as the Northern Tropic, is the most northerly circle of latitude on Earth at which the Sun can be directly overhead.

• Tropic of Cancer passes through 8 Indian states:
  • Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura, Mizoram.
• Mahi:-
  • It is a river in western India. It rises in Madhya Pradesh and, after flowing through the Vagad region of Rajasthan, enters Gujarat and flows into the Arabian Sea.
  • It flows north through the district (Banswara) from its origin in the Vindhya Range of Madhya Pradesh, entering the district (Banswara) from the southeast and flowing north towards the northern end of the district, where it turns southwest to form the boundary between Banswara and Dungarpur districts before entering Gujarat and emptying into the Gulf of Cambay.

  • It is the only river in Rajasthan that passes the Tropic of Cancer twice.

Additional Information         

• Luni-
  • It is the largest river in the Thar desert in north-west India.
  • It originates in the Pushkar valley of the Aravalli Range, near Ajmer, passes through the southeastern portion of the Thar Desert, and ends in the marshy lands of Rann of Kutch in Gujarat.
• Ghaghar-
  • The Ghaggar-Hakra River is an intermittent river in India and Pakistan that flows only during the monsoon season.
• Kali Sindh-
  • The Kali Sindh is a river in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan in northern India. It is a tributary of the Chambal River in the Ganges Basin.

The correct answer is Parabolic.

Key Points

• Parabolic dunes and sand sheets are widely distributed and are dominant classes in the Thar Desert.
• Other classes of land cover observed were canal, saline area, salt lake, and protected plantation.
• The Thar desert is the most fragile ecosystem of India.
  • The Luni River is the only river integrated into the desert.
• Rainfall is limited to 100–500 mm (4–20 inches) per year.
• Its low and uncertain rainfall, high temperatures, high wind speeds, and a rolling sandy topography dominated by 10 to 40 m high Sand dunes.
• In the western part of Rajasthan in India and adjoining part of Pakistan, between the Aravalli Hill Ranges and the adjoining Indus valley.

Important Points

• Five types of sand dune classes were observed: parabolic, barchan, longitudinal, transverse, and sand sheet.

The correct answer is d only.

• The Climatic Regions of Rajasthan by Koeppen are Four.
  • Aw
  • BShw
  • BWhw
  • Cwg

Key Points

• Aw:
  • It is Tropical Humid region.
  • This type of climate is found in the southern part of the Rajasthan.
  • It covers the areas of Dungarpur, Banswara, Chittorgarh and Jhalawar.
  • Here the temperature range is as follows.
    • Summer - 30-34 degree
    • Winter - 12-15 degree
  • Yearly Rain - 80 cm i.e. 800 mm 
  •  Vegetation - 
    • Deciduous trees of Monsoon type
    • Dense
    • Savanna like region
    • Arid Tropical grassland
  • In Mount Abu, the average rainfall is 150 cm.
• BShw:
  • It is Semi-Arid.
  • It is found in the Western side of Aravali.
  • It covers the areas of Barmer, Jalore, Jodhpur, Nagore, Churu, Sikar, Jhunjhunu.
  • Average Rainfall - 20-40 cm
  • Here the temperature range is as follows.
    • Summer - 32-35 degree
    • Winter - 5-10 degree
  •  Vegetation -
    • Steppe
      • In physical geography, a steppe is an ecoregion characterized by grassland plains without trees.
    • Thorny bushes and grasses.
• BWhw:
  • It is the Arid Hot Desert region.
  • It covers the areas of Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Shriganganar, Hanumangarh.
  • Average Rainfall - 10-20 cm
  • Here the temperature is as follows.
    • Summer - 35 degree
    • Winter - 12-18 degree
    • Vegetation -
      • Vegetation less
      • Scanty Rainfall
      • Tough environment
      • Process of evaporation is very active.
• Cwg:
  • It is Sub Humid, Monsoonal type.
  • It is located at the southeastern part of the Aravali.
  • Areas - Hadoti, Mewat and Dang areas i.e Rajsamand, Bhilwara, Tonk, Dausa, Sawai Madhopur, Alwar, Bharatpur, Dholpur, Kota, Baran, Northern Chittorgarh.
  • Here Bhihad is found.