Geography Set 16 | MROY Class

Geography Set 16 – Questions & Answers

The Aghil Pass, situated at an elevation of about 5000 m above sea level, is located to the north of which famous mountain peak? – K2 (Godwin Austen)
Which mountain pass in the Greater Himalayas features a temple dedicated to a local deity and remains closed during the winter season due to heavy snowfall? – Chang-La
Which mountain pass, situated in the eastern part of Arunachal Pradesh, provides the shortest access to Mandalay in Myanmar and remains open for trade throughout the year? – Diphu Pass
Located in the Aksai Chin region at an altitude of about 5,000 metres, which pass did the Chinese use to construct a road connecting Xinjiang with Tibet? – Lanak La
Which pass, situated at the end of the Pindari Glacier and linking the Pindari Valley to Milam Valley, is known to be extremely steep, rugged, and difficult to cross? – Traill’s Pass
Located in the Karakoram Mountains at an elevation of more than six thousand feet above sea level, the Qara Tagh Pass was historically an offshoot of which significant ancient trade route? – The Great Silk Road
What is the approximate length of the Sasaini Glacier, one of the major glaciers located in the Karakoram region? – 68 km
The Chogo Lungma Glacier is a prominent glacier in the Karakoram mountains measuring 50 km in length. At what altitude does it terminate? – 2070 m
According to geological records, the Indian subcontinent experienced an ice age around 700 million years ago. Which geological period does this explicitly correspond to? – Dharwarian Period
While evidence of Pleistocene glaciation in Peninsular India is generally lacking, it is well-documented in the Himalayas. Which of the following is an example of a high altitude glacial lake formed during the Pleistocene period? – Sanasar Lake
The Great Plains of India feature a varying width from east to west. What is its approximate physical width in Assam compared to Punjab? – 90-100 km in Assam and 500 km in Punjab
The monotony of the physical landscape in the Great Plains is broken at the micro-level by various features. What are the dead-arms of river channels in these plains locally known as? – Khols
According to the theory proposed by Blandford, the Northern Plains of India were formed by the filling of a sea that extended from the Assam Valley to the Irrawaddy river in the east, and to which region in the west? – The Indus Valley (Baluchistan to Ladakh)
The Brahmaputra Plain features a highly braided river with numerous islands. How is the general slope of this plain characterized? – A steep slope along its northern margin but a gradual fall from the Meghalaya Plateau
There are numerous offshore islands scattered around the Indian coastline. Which of the following islands is geographically located on the Kathiawar coast? – Piram
The offshore islands of Diu, Vaida, Nora, Pirtan, and Karunbhar are situated along which specific coastal region? – Kachchh coast
Which of the following offshore islands is strategically located directly at the mouth of the Pulicat Lake? – Sri Harikota
Similar to Sri Harikota’s positioning, the offshore island of Pairkud is located at the mouth of which prominent water body? – Chilka Lake
Vypin is a prominent offshore island located near which major coastal city in Kerala? – Kochi
According to R.L. Singh’s 1971 climatic divisions, which zone covers West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, and eastern parts of Andhra Pradesh, receiving an average annual rainfall between 100-200 cm? – Region of Heavy Rainfall
The “Transitional Zone” in R.L. Singh’s climatic divisions is characterized by a mean maximum July temperature of over 40°C. Which areas does this specific zone cover? – Eastern Uttar Pradesh, western and north-western Bihar, and north-western Jharkhand
In R.L. Singh’s Climatic Divisions of India, which coastal region experiences its average annual rainfall primarily during the season of the retreating monsoon (October to December)? – The Tamil Nadu Coast
Among the core elements of the Drought Prone Area Programme, which of the following practices is specifically emphasized for development in conjunction with sheep husbandry? – Development of pasture lands and forest range management
The Drought Prone Area Programme strongly suggests adopting a scientific rotation of crops. Which specific type of crops does it emphasize for this rotation? – Leguminous (pulses) crops
In terms of river dynamics and geomorphology, what definition is provided for a flood? – When peak discharge exceeds channel capacity
Which of the following is an additional protective measure suggested by the Flood Control Commission for major rivers? – Protecting one kilometre tract along the major rivers where agriculture and house construction are prohibited
To successfully mitigate floods, the Flood Control Commission suggests diverting flood waters into dry areas or storing them in reservoirs by forming what national system? – National Water Grid
The Deccan Region covers the greater parts of Peninsular India. Which of the following is an accurate representation of its dominant vegetation? – Teak, tendu, sal, palm, and thorny shrubs
The floristic region of the Gangetic Plain exhibits numerous types of grasses and dry deciduous vegetation. Which trees are exemplary of the vegetation in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal? – Sheesham, neem, mahuwa, jamun, acacia, and bel
The Nilgiri hills, part of the Malabar floristic region, exhibit a transition in vegetation types at higher altitudes. What type of forests do they predominantly show at these higher altitudes? – Temperate forests

MROY Class

Geography Set 16

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📌 Geography • Mountain Passes

Q.1) The Aghil Pass, situated at an elevation of about 5000 m above sea level, is located to the north of which famous mountain peak?

Ans > K2 (Godwin Austen)

Explanation: Situated to the north of K2 in the Karakoram at an elevation of about 5000 m above sea level, the Aghil Pass joins Ladakh with the Xinjiang (Sinkiang) Province of China.
Strategic Location of Aghil Pass: The Aghil Pass serves as a critical historical and geographical gateway in the Karakoram range. It bridges the rugged terrains of the Ladakh region with the Xinjiang province of China, making it an ancient route for nomadic traders before modern border restrictions were enforced.
Geography of Mount K2: Mount K2, also known as Godwin Austen, is the second-highest mountain in the world at 8,611 meters. The pass being located to its north places it directly within the highly glaciated and treacherous Shaksgam Valley region, known for some of the most dramatic vertical reliefs on the planet.
The Shaksgam Valley Dispute: This pass overlooks a highly geopolitically sensitive area. The Shaksgam Valley was ceded by Pakistan to China in the 1963 boundary agreement. India does not recognize this agreement, officially claiming the entire region as part of its sovereign territory within the Union Territory of Ladakh.
Climate and Terrain Challenges: The environment around the Aghil Pass is characterized by extreme sub-zero temperatures, high velocity winds, and thin oxygen levels. The geological structure is heavily prone to sudden avalanches, making it impassable during the harsh winter months.

📌 Geography • Mountain Passes

Q.2) Which mountain pass in the Greater Himalayas features a temple dedicated to a local deity and remains closed during the winter season due to heavy snowfall?

Ans > Chang-La

Explanation: Situated at an elevation of over 5270 m, the Chang-La pass has a temple dedicated to Chang-la Baba after whom the pass has been named. Being snow-covered, it remains closed during the winter season.
Significance of Chang-la Baba: The pass is culturally unique because it hosts a shrine dedicated to a local mythical hermit, Chang-la Baba. It is a long-standing tradition for travelers and the Indian Army personnel stationed nearby to seek his blessings for a safe journey across the treacherous mountain roads.
Gateway to Pangong Tso: Geographically, Chang-La is highly significant as it serves as the primary gateway to the famous Pangong Tso lake from Leh. This makes it a crucial logistical route for both military supply lines and the burgeoning tourism sector in the Ladakh region.
Physiological Challenges: Situated at an altitude exceeding 5,270 meters (around 17,590 feet), the pass presents severe physiological challenges. Visitors are strictly advised not to spend more than 20 to 25 minutes at the summit due to the drastically reduced oxygen levels, which can rapidly induce Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).
Maintenance by Border Roads Organisation (BRO): The treacherous road leading to and through Chang-La is meticulously maintained by the Project Himank of the Border Roads Organisation. They are responsible for clearing the massive snowdrifts that block the pass entirely during the harsh Himalayan winter months.

📌 Geography • Mountain Passes

Q.3) Which mountain pass, situated in the eastern part of Arunachal Pradesh, provides the shortest access to Mandalay in Myanmar and remains open for trade throughout the year?

Ans > Diphu Pass

Explanation: Situated in the eastern part of Arunachal Pradesh, Diphu Pass provides an easy and shortest access to Mandalay (Myanmar). It is a traditional pass between India and Myanmar which remains open throughout the year for transportation and trade.
Geopolitical Tri-Junction: Diphu Pass is situated at a highly strategic tri-junction bordering India, China, and Myanmar. Its precise location makes it a focal point of regional geopolitics, as the borders of these three large Asian nations converge at this specific geographic saddle in the eastern Himalayas.
The McMahon Line Connection: The pass is deeply connected to historical border definitions. The McMahon Line, drawn during the 1914 Simla Convention, explicitly identifies Diphu Pass as the official demarcation point separating India and Tibet, though China frequently disputes the exact alignment of this colonial-era boundary.
Historical Trade Route: Historically, Diphu Pass has functioned as a vital, year-round commercial artery. Unlike many high-altitude Himalayan passes that become snowbound, its relatively lower elevation and topography allow indigenous tribes and local merchants to maintain continuous trade links with Mandalay in Myanmar.
Cultural Exchange Corridor: Beyond commerce, the pass has facilitated centuries of cultural and demographic exchange. Ethnic communities living in the easternmost fringes of Arunachal Pradesh share strong linguistic, cultural, and familial ties with communities across the border in Myanmar, facilitated by this accessible mountain corridor.

📌 Geography • Mountain Passes

Q.4) Located in the Aksai Chin region at an altitude of about 5,000 metres, which pass did the Chinese use to construct a road connecting Xinjiang with Tibet?

Ans > Lanak La

Explanation: Situated at an altitude of about five thousand metres in the Aksai Chin (Ladakh), Lanak La connects Ladakh with Lhasa. The Chinese have constructed a road to connect the Xinjiang (Sinkiang) Province of China with Tibet through this pass.
The Aksai Chin Dispute: Lanak La is geographically located in the contested region of Aksai Chin, a high-altitude desert. While historically claimed by India as part of the traditional state of Jammu and Kashmir (now the UT of Ladakh), it is currently under the de facto administrative control of China.
Strategic Highway Construction: The pass gained immense geopolitical prominence in the 1950s when Chinese engineers secretly constructed the G219 National Highway through it. This road provided a critical, direct logistical link between the restive provinces of Xinjiang and Tibet, sparking severe diplomatic tensions with India.
Topographical Harshness: The environment surrounding Lanak La is an unforgiving, cold-desert plateau. At approximately 5,000 meters above sea level, the terrain is characterized by permafrost, lack of vegetation, and freezing winds, making large-scale infrastructure projects an incredible feat of high-altitude engineering.
Historical Claim and Treaties: Indian claims to Lanak La are rooted in historical boundary surveys and revenue records from the Dogra rule and the British Indian Empire. Indian survey teams historically recognized the pass as the traditional eastern boundary of Ladakh, long before the modern border conflicts erupted in 1962.

📌 Geography • Glaciers

Q.5) Which pass, situated at the end of the Pindari Glacier and linking the Pindari Valley to Milam Valley, is known to be extremely steep, rugged, and difficult to cross?

Ans > Traill’s Pass

Explanation: Located at an elevation of 5212 m above sea level in the Pithoragarh and Bageshwar districts of Uttarakhand, Traill’s Pass is situated at the end of the Pindari Glacier and links Pindari Valley to Milam Valley. Being steep and rugged, this pass is very difficult to cross.
Historical Naming: Traill’s Pass is named after George William Traill, who served as the second British Commissioner of Kumaon. He reportedly crossed this formidable glacial pass in 1830, making it one of the earliest recorded high-altitude mountaineering crossings by a European in the Kumaon Himalayas.
Glacial Connecting Route: Geographically, it serves as a highly technical saddle connecting the massive Pindari Glacier system with the Milam Valley. This linkage makes it a highly sought-after, yet immensely perilous, objective for advanced mountaineers exploring the remote Nanda Devi sanctuary region.
Extreme Terrain and Crevasses: The pass is notorious for its steep, blue-ice walls and deeply hidden crevasses. Because it is surrounded by unstable seracs and hanging glaciers, crossing it requires expert technical ice-climbing skills; it is not a trekking route and has claimed several lives over the decades.
Ecological Zone: Situated within the Greater Himalayas of Uttarakhand, the approaches to Traill’s Pass traverse pristine alpine ecosystems. Lower elevations feature rich biodiversity, including Himalayan tahr and snow leopards, which thrive in the undisturbed habitats of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve surrounding the Milam and Pindari valleys.

📌 Geography • Historical Routes

Q.6) Located in the Karakoram Mountains at an elevation of more than six thousand feet above sea level, the Qara Tagh Pass was historically an offshoot of which significant ancient trade route?

Ans > The Great Silk Road

Explanation: Located in the Karakoram Mountains at an elevation of more than six thousand feet above sea level, the Qara Tagh pass was an offshoot of the Great Silk Road. It remains snow-covered during the winter season.
Connection to the Silk Road: The Qara Tagh Pass functioned as a vital, albeit rugged, offshoot of the ancient Great Silk Road. It provided a mountainous shortcut for caravans transporting silk, jade, and spices between the markets of Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent via the Tarim Basin.
Karakoram Topography: Nestled deep within the mighty Karakoram range, the pass experiences severe glaciological and tectonic activity. The term “Qara Tagh” roughly translates to “Black Mountain” in Turkic languages, reflecting the dark, jagged, and forbidding rock formations that dominate the landscape around the pass.
Trade Route Demise: The utility of this high-altitude pass plummeted with the advent of maritime trade routes and modern motorized transport. Today, the rugged caravan trails are largely abandoned, leaving behind only historical remnants of the once-thriving trans-Himalayan commerce.
Extreme Glacial Environment: Even though it sits at an elevation facilitating historical summer crossings, Qara Tagh is entirely buried under deep snow for more than half the year. The freezing microclimate meant historical traders had a very narrow seasonal window, usually late summer, to safely navigate their pack animals across.

📌 Geography • Glaciers

Q.7) What is the approximate length of the Sasaini Glacier, one of the major glaciers located in the Karakoram region?

Ans > 68 km

Explanation: According to the table detailing the Main Glaciers of India, the Sasaini glacier, located in the Karakoram range, has an impressive length of 68 km.
Glaciology of the Karakoram: The Karakoram range is heavily glaciated, often referred to as the “Third Pole” due to its massive ice reserves. Glaciers in this region, including Sasaini, are critical freshwater reservoirs that sustain downstream agriculture and populations across South Asia.
Textbook vs. Modern Discrepancies: While standard Indian competitive geographical syllabi often cite the Sasaini Glacier as being 68 km long, modern satellite mapping and glaciological surveys sometimes indicate varying lengths due to glacial complex definitions. For academic exams, the legacy measurement of 68 km is strictly retained.
Role in Regional Hydrology: Large glaciers of this magnitude act as massive, frozen water towers. Meltwater from the Sasaini and surrounding ice fields feeds directly into the upper tributaries of the Indus River system, forming the lifeblood of regional agrarian economies during the dry pre-monsoon months.
Climate Change Resistance: Interestingly, many glaciers in the Karakoram range have exhibited a phenomenon known as the “Karakoram Anomaly.” While Himalayan glaciers are rapidly retreating globally, some Karakoram glaciers have remained stable or even advanced, making the long-term study of giants like Sasaini crucial for climate scientists.

📌 Geography • Glaciers

Q.8) The Chogo Lungma Glacier is a prominent glacier in the Karakoram mountains measuring 50 km in length. At what altitude does it terminate?

Ans > 2070 m

Explanation: The Chogo Lungma Glacier (50 km) is located in the Karakoram mountains and terminates at an altitude of 2070 m, which is noted as the lowest recorded termination altitude in the Himalayas.
Unusual Termination Altitude: The Chogo Lungma Glacier is glaciologically remarkable because it terminates at just 2070 meters above sea level. This is exceptionally low for a glacier at these latitudes, plunging deep into warmer valleys compared to standard high-altitude Himalayan and Karakoram glaciers.
Glacial Melt and Microclimates: Because the glacier’s snout reaches such a low altitude, it experiences significantly higher rates of summer melting. This generates massive volumes of turbulent meltwater, shaping the deep river valleys below and creating unique microclimates where alpine vegetation thrives close to the ice.
Surge-Type Characteristics: The Chogo Lungma is known among researchers as a surge-type glacier. This means it undergoes cyclical periods of rapid advancement (surges) where ice moves at incredibly high speeds down the valley, followed by longer periods of stagnation and retreat.
Flora and Fauna Adaptation: The low termination altitude allows for a fascinating intersection of ecosystems. Forests of pine and birch can often be seen growing relatively close to the glacial snout, providing a rich habitat for mountain ungulates and avifauna that usually avoid the barren higher reaches.

📌 Geography • Geological History

Q.9) According to geological records, the Indian subcontinent experienced an ice age around 700 million years ago. Which geological period does this explicitly correspond to?

Ans > Dharwarian Period

Explanation: The moraine deposits and other glaciated topographical features observed in the Dharwar District of Karnataka indicate an ice age during the Dharwarian Period, i.e., about 700 million years ago.
The Dharwar Craton’s Geology: The Dharwar region in Karnataka is part of an ancient craton, representing some of the oldest crustal rocks on Earth. While standard Indian geography textbooks label this specific 700-million-year-old glacial event under the “Dharwarian Period,” the base rocks themselves are actually billions of years older (Archaean).
The Snowball Earth Hypothesis: The timeline of 700 million years ago correlates globally with the Cryogenian period, specifically the Sturtian glaciation. During this epoch, scientists believe the Earth was almost entirely encased in ice—a phenomenon popularly referred to as “Snowball Earth.”
Geomorphological Evidence: Geologists have identified ancient tillites and compacted moraine deposits embedded within the stratigraphy of peninsular India. These highly weathered, glacially striated rocks are the primary physical evidence that this tropical region was once buried under massive continental ice sheets.
Economic Mineral Wealth: The geological stresses of the Dharwarian system, combined with subsequent tectonic and glacial activity, have resulted in a region incredibly rich in economic minerals. The Dharwar rock system is India’s primary source of gold (Kolar), iron ore, manganese, and copper.

📌 Geography • Glacial Lakes

Q.10) While evidence of Pleistocene glaciation in Peninsular India is generally lacking, it is well-documented in the Himalayas. Which of the following is an example of a high altitude glacial lake formed during the Pleistocene period?

Ans > Sanasar Lake

Explanation: The Kailash Kund, the Sanasar Lake near Batote, the Gulmarg-basin, the Sheshnag, and the Gangabal Lake are some of the prime examples of lakes formed by Pleistocene glaciation.
Pleistocene Glaciation Impact: During the Pleistocene epoch (often called the Great Ice Age), massive glaciers carved out deep U-shaped valleys and depressions across the Himalayas. As the Earth warmed and glaciers retreated, these gouged basins filled with meltwater, creating pristine high-altitude lakes.
Geography of Sanasar Lake: Located in the Jammu region near the town of Patnitop, Sanasar is a classic example of a glacial trough lake. It sits in a cup-shaped meadow surrounded by dense coniferous forests of pine and cedar, showcasing the distinct topographical legacy of ancient ice movement.
Ecological and Tourism Significance: Today, Sanasar is a thriving eco-tourism destination. The lake and its surrounding wetland ecosystem support diverse local flora and fauna, while the gentle, glacially-flattened meadows attract tourists for aero-sports like paragliding and high-altitude camping.
Contrast with Peninsular Lakes: Unlike Sanasar, the lakes of Peninsular India (like Chilka, Kolleru, or Lonar) have entirely different origins—ranging from coastal lagoon formation to tectonic depressions and meteor impacts. Peninsular India remained largely free of continental ice sheets during the Pleistocene.

📌 Geography • Geomorphology

Q.11) The Great Plains of India feature a varying width from east to west. What is its approximate physical width in Assam compared to Punjab?

Ans > 90-100 km in Assam and 500 km in Punjab

Explanation: The Great Plains stretch for about 2400 km from west to east. It has varying width; 90-100 km in Assam, 160 km near Rajmahal, 200 km in Bihar, 280 km near Allahabad and 500 km in Punjab.
Tectonic Formation: The Great Plains (Indo-Gangetic-Brahmaputra plain) form a massive foredeep depression that was created during the uplift of the Himalayas. This tectonic trench was subsequently filled with massive amounts of alluvium brought down by Himalayan rivers over millions of years.
The Assam Valley Bottleneck: In the east, the plains are squeezed between the rising Eastern Himalayas and the rigid block of the Meghalaya Plateau. This geological bottleneck restricts the width of the Brahmaputra plain in Assam to a narrow strip of just 90 to 100 kilometers.
Punjab’s Expansive Plains: In stark contrast, the western section in Punjab and Haryana faces no such southern plateau restriction. The Indus river system and its tributaries have deposited sediments over a vast, unimpeded area, allowing the plains to fan out to a massive width of 500 kilometers.
Agricultural Demographics: The varying width dictates the scale of agriculture. The wide plains of Punjab allow for massive, mechanized, contiguous farming blocks, serving as the “Granary of India,” whereas the narrow Assam plains are characterized by intense, concentrated agriculture and tea plantations constrained by topography.

📌 Geography • Fluvial Features

Q.12) The monotony of the physical landscape in the Great Plains is broken at the micro-level by various features. What are the dead-arms of river channels in these plains locally known as?

Ans > Khols

Explanation: The Great plains are remarkably homogeneous. However, the monotony of the physical landscape is broken at the micro-level by river bluffs, Bhurs, levees, dead-arms of river channels, the ravines, and khols.
Fluvial Geomorphology: The Great Plains appear entirely flat to the naked eye, but micro-topography plays a massive role in hydrology. As mature rivers meander sluggishly across the flat gradient, they constantly erode their outer banks and deposit sediment on the inner banks, shifting their courses over time.
Formation of Dead-Arms (Khols): When a river takes a drastic shortcut across a tight meander loop during a flood, it abandons the old, curved channel. These abandoned water bodies, globally known as oxbow lakes or billabongs, are locally referred to as khols or chaurs in parts of the Indian plains.
Ecological Refuges: These dead-arms are ecologically vital. Because they hold stagnant or slow-moving water, they transform into rich wetlands. They become critical breeding grounds for freshwater fish, migratory waterfowl, and various species of amphibians that cannot survive in the fast currents of the main river.
Agricultural and Settlement Impact: The micro-elevations (like levees and bhurs) and depressions (like khols) dictate human settlement. Villages are historically built on the higher levees to avoid annual flooding, while the fertile, water-retaining soils around khols are utilized for intensive dry-season farming.

📌 Geography • Geological History

Q.13) According to the theory proposed by Blandford, the Northern Plains of India were formed by the filling of a sea that extended from the Assam Valley to the Irrawaddy river in the east, and to which region in the west?

Ans > The Indus Valley (Baluchistan to Ladakh)

Explanation: In the opinion of Blandford, during the Eocene Period, there was one sea extending from Assam Valley to the Irrawaddy river (Myanmar) in the east and another from Iran and Baluchistan to Ladakh (Indus Valley) in the west, which later receded and filled up to form the Northern Plains.
W.T. Blandford’s Contributions: William Thomas Blandford was a prominent 19th-century British geologist and naturalist working with the Geological Survey of India. His early theories on the paleogeography of the Indian subcontinent laid the groundwork for modern understanding of the Indo-Gangetic depression.
The Eocene Epoch Geography: During the Eocene epoch (around 50 million years ago), the Indian tectonic plate was actively colliding with the Eurasian plate. Blandford theorized that before the final uplift of the Himalayas, shallow seas occupied the massive trenches on either side of the rising landmass.
Closure of the Tethys Sea: The western sea spanning from Baluchistan up to Ladakh was essentially a remnant of the closing Tethys Sea. As tectonic compression continued, the land uplifted, forcing the sea to retreat southwards and westwards, leaving behind a massive geological trough.
Massive Sedimentary Deposition: Once the seas receded, the newly elevated Himalayan mountain systems began to heavily erode. Over millions of years, mighty river systems dumped unimaginably vast quantities of alluvial sediment into this dry trough, completely filling it to create today’s remarkably flat Northern Plains.

📌 Geography • Plains Topography