An Overview
We will read about the Bhangar Plains which are part of the Indian Plains. We will also learn about the various classification of the Northern plains through a map & diagram and the various classifications of the Bhangar plains and their characteristics. These notes will help the students of Class 9 in understanding the plains of India.
Bhangar Plain
The Bhangar Plains are situated south of the Bhabar and Terai Plains. Unlike the Bhabar Plains which are not good for farming or cultivation because of the presence of the sediments, the Bhangar Plains are suitable for farming and cultivation activities because these are well-drained plains of Northern India.
Map of Bhangar
This map and the diagram shows the classification of the Northern Plains of India. The Bhabar plains are starting from the foothills of the Himalayas. It is clear from the picture, that the Bhabar plains are having sediments deposited by the rivers and thus, these areas are not fertile in nature. Then comes the Terai Plains which are situated between the Bhabar and the Bhangar. These areas are thick forest and marshy areas which are also good for agriculture. Various famous National parks are also situated here. Then comes the Bhangar Plains and the Khadar Plains. The Bhangar are old plains of alluvial soil and the Khadar are new plains of Alluvial soil which are more fertile than the Bhangar.
Features of the Bhangar Plains
The various features of the Bhangar Plains are as follows:
Soil
Alluvial soil is found in the Indo-Gangetic Plains including the Bhangar Plains. New alluvial soil is found in the floodplains ie. The Khadar Plains of Indo-Gangetic. This new alluvial soil is having extreme fertility and is also uniform in texture. The old alluvial soil is found in the Bhangar Plains which are having little elevated terraces and patches of alkaline efflorescences which are also called as " usar ", which leaves some areas as infertile.
If we talk about Indus basin soils, mostly thick alluvial soil is found there called as the Khadar Soils. Away from the rivers and in the middle of the doabs, older alluvial soil is also widely distributed in those plains which are called the Bhangar soil.
Bhangar soil has a texture of medium to fine levels and also has low organic content.
This soil is highly useful and productive for agricultural activities when good irrigation and fertilisation facilities are available.
Other Features
These plains are beyond the flood plains, thus are less fertile as compared to the Khadar because the content of sandy-loamy soil is higher.
The Barind Plains and the formations of the ‘Bhur’ are some of the regional features of the Bhangar Plains.
The Barind Plains are formed in the delta regions of Bengal and Bhur formations are dominated in Ganga and Yamuna Doab.
The Bhangar Plains also contains fossils of various animals like rhinoceros, elephants, etc.
Kankars are also found in the Bhangar Plains.
Classification of the Bhangar
The Bhangar Plains can be divided into the following categories as per the irrigation levels:
On the basis of the type of irrigation, Bhangar plains can be subdivided into different types, that is the Barani and the Nahri region.
Barani areas are traditionally rainfed areas. They are the lower rain areas where especially low rainfall is there and thus, rain-fed dry practices are performed in such areas. If we talk about Bagar Tract location in India, that is the dry sandy soil region on the border of Rajasthan, adjoining the area of Haryana or Punjab. These regions in India are the places where you can find the old alluvial soil, thus they are referred to as the Barani region. It is important to remember that not all the Barani lands are part of the Bagar tract. Nowadays some Barani areas are dependent on tube wells for irrigation as groundwater levels are not too low at those places. In the age-old land revenue system, legally they may be registered as Barani lands but due to this modern tube well system, it can be popularly known as the Chahi region.
The other type on the basis of irrigation type is the Nahri. Nahri refers to the canal irrigated land. Let us take the example of the Rangoi tract. This area is referred to as the Nahri area because it is being irrigated by the Rangoi canal that flows near it. This canal is used for the purpose of transferring the water from the Ghaggar River to the dry and barren Bangar lands. For irrigation purposes in Nahri lands, the landowners are required to take water from the Warabandi roaster, and water is drawn from this canal. Have you heard about chak? It was the land revenue system at the time of the Britishers. It is the land revenue settlement circle in which the contiguous block of land is marked.
The next type on the basis of irrigation is Chahi. Chahi is any kind of land that is irrigated with the help of wells or tube wells. Chahi Khalis is the land that is especially irrigated by using the wells, while if we talk about Chahi Nahri, it is the land that is partly irrigated using a well and partly irrigated by using tubewell. Chahi sailab is that area that is partly irrigated by wells and partly by floods. Chahi taal or taal is that land that is irrigated using ponds.
Did you Know?
Bhur means the elevated land piece which is created by the accumulation of the sand by the winds along the banks of the Ganga river. We have read about the Bhangar properly along with the map of Bhangar.
FAQs on Bhangar
1. What is Bhangar in the context of Indian geography?
Bhangar refers to the older alluvial soil found in the great northern plains of India. These are upland regions that lie beyond the floodplains of rivers. Geographically, Bhangar represents older river terraces formed from alluvium deposited in the middle Pleistocene age. This soil is distinct from Khadar, which is newer alluvial soil found in the floodplains.
2. What is the primary difference between Bhangar and Khadar soil?
The primary difference lies in their age, location, and fertility.
- Bhangar is older alluvium, located on higher terraces away from the river, making it less fertile. It contains calcareous concretions known as 'Kankars'.
- Khadar is newer alluvium, found in the low-lying floodplains, and is replenished by fresh silt every year during floods, making it extremely fertile and ideal for intensive agriculture.
3. Where are the Bhangar plains predominantly found in India?
Bhangar plains are predominantly found in the vast Indo-Gangetic plains, particularly in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana. They form the largest part of the Northern Plains and are located in the interfluve areas (land between two rivers), such as the Ganga-Yamuna doab, away from the immediate river channels.
4. What are the main characteristics of Bhangar soil?
The main characteristics of Bhangar soil include:
- It is composed of older alluvium and is found on higher ground above the flood level.
- The soil is dark in colour, rich in humus, and has a clayey composition.
- It contains calcareous concretions known as 'Kankars', which can make the soil less porous.
- While fertile, it is less so than Khadar soil because it is not renewed by annual floods.
- It is well-drained and suitable for agriculture with proper irrigation.
5. If Bhangar is made of rich alluvium, why is it considered less fertile than Khadar?
Bhangar is less fertile primarily because it is not replenished with fresh silt. Being located on older, higher river terraces, it lies beyond the reach of annual river floods. Over centuries, essential nutrients have been leached from the topsoil without being replaced. In contrast, Khadar plains receive a new layer of nutrient-rich alluvium every year, constantly renewing their fertility.
6. How do the 'Kankar' formations within Bhangar soil affect its agricultural use?
The presence of 'Kankar' (calcareous nodules) in Bhangar soil has mixed effects. While they are rich in calcium, their high concentration can form a hardpan layer beneath the surface. This layer can impede water drainage and restrict root penetration, making cultivation difficult. In some areas, these Kankar beds make the land less arable and reduce the overall productivity compared to the uniform, stone-free Khadar soil.
7. What does the presence of animal fossils in Bhangar deposits tell us about the region's past?
The discovery of fossils of animals like elephants, rhinoceroses, and hippopotamuses in Bhangar deposits indicates that during the middle Pleistocene epoch, the Northern Plains had a much wetter and more forested environment. This climate supported large mammals, which is different from the drier conditions in some of these regions today. These fossils are crucial evidence for understanding the palaeo-climate and ancient ecosystems of the Indian subcontinent.
8. Can the agricultural productivity of Bhangar soil be improved?
Yes, the productivity of Bhangar soil can be significantly improved. Although it is less fertile than Khadar, it is still inherently rich. Its productivity can be enhanced through modern agricultural practices such as:
- Implementing efficient irrigation systems like drip or sprinkler irrigation to manage water.
- Using appropriate fertilisers and manures to replenish lost soil nutrients.
- Practising proper land management techniques to break up Kankar hardpans and improve soil aeration.
