Major Plateaus of the India

India has a number of significant plateaus with unique geographical characteristics. These plateaus, which include the high Tibetan Plateau, the picturesque Chota Nagpur Plateau, the varied landscapes of the Karbi-Meghalaya and Shillong plateaus in the northeast, determine the topography of India. In addition, the region is significantly impacted by the Loess Plateau and Mascarene Plateau, despite their distance from India.

Features of Major Plateaus of the India

Here are the descriptions of major plateaus of the India −

Tibetan Plateau

Located at the confluence of Central, South, and East Asia, the Tibetan Plateau is a sizable high plateau. The majority of the streams and rivers in the surrounding areas have their drainage basins in the Tibetan Plateau. This encompasses the Yellow, Yangtze, and Mekong rivers—the three longest in Asia. Massive mountain ranges of high-mountain Asia encircle the Tibetan Plateau. The Tibetan Plateau, which has a height of more than 4,500 meters on average, is frequently referred to as "the Roof of the World" because it is encircled by massive mountain ranges that are home to Mount Everest and K2, the two highest mountains in the world.

Chota Nagpur Plateau

Chota Nagpur Plateau is located in East Indian and it includes a large portion of the state of Jharkhand as well as bordering regions of Chhattisgarh, Odisha, West Bengal, and Bihar. To the north and east of the plateau is the Indo-Gangetic plain, and to the south is the Mahanadi River basin. The Chota Nagpur Plateau spreads in about 65,000 square kilometres. A large region of land raised above the surrounding terrain is known as a plateau, and the Chota Nagpur Plateau is one of them. The plateau was originated by the rising of the continent due to forces operating deep inside the earth.

Loess Plateau

The Loess Plateau, also known as the Chinese Loess Plateau, is a plateau in north-central China made of loess, a sediment that resembles clastic silt that was created by the build-up of wind-blown dust. It is encircled by the Yellow River and is situated southeast of the Gobi Desert. Parts of the Chinese provinces of Gansu, Shaanxi, and Shanxi are included in it. The tectonic action that formed the Chinese Loess Plateau's depositional environment was followed by the East Asian Monsoon's powerful southeast winds, which delivered material to the plateau throughout the Quaternary period. One of the biggest and thickest loess plateaus in the world is the Loess Plateau.

Mascarene Plateau

North and east of Madagascar, in the Indian Ocean, lies an underwater plateau known as the Mascarene Plateau. The plateau stretches from Seychelles in the north to Réunion in the south for around 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi). Over 115,000 km² (44,000 sq mi) of shallow water make up the plateau, with depths ranging from 8 to 150 m (30 to 490 ft), and dropping to an abyssal plain at its margins at 4,000 m (13,000 ft). After the Kerguelen Plateau, it is the second-largest marine plateau in the Indian Ocean. The Agaléga Islands and the Seychelles Islands are located in the northern region of the Mascarene Plateau.

Bhander Plateau

In the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh is a plateau known as the Bhander Plateau. It is 10,000 square km in size. It connects the Chota Nagpur Plateau to the east with the Indo-Gangetic Plains to the north, and the Deccan Plateau to the south. The plateau is a portion of central India's Vindhya Range. Along the Kaimur Range, a series of plateaus may be found. With the Panna Plateau in the west, the Bhander Plateau, the Rewa Plateau, and the Rohtas Plateau in the east, these river plateaus are made up of a sequence of decreasing plateaus.

Karbi-Meghalaya Plateau

The Karbi-Meghalaya Plateau, historically known as the Karbi Anglong Plateau and the Meghalaya Plateau, is actually an extension of the main Indian peninsular plateau. The Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia Hills are the traditional divisions of the Meghalaya plateau. There are around 35, 291 km2 in the area between the river Dhansiri in the east and the river Singimari in the west, which is about 400 km long and 40 km wide on average. Karbi Plateau is around 7000 km2 in size and has a pear-shaped shape. It connects to the Meghalaya plateau in its entirety to the south across a section of severely degraded and senile terrain.

Shillong Plateau

The Shillong Plateau is a plateau located in north-eastern India's Meghalaya state. The Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia Hills are formed by the southern, northern, and western ridges of the plateau. In satellite pictures, the plateau can be seen to have numerous fracture lines and to have undergone extensive and compressive stresses in the N-S and E-W directions, respectively. Many deep earthquakes, such as the Assam earthquake in 1897 along the blind Oldham Fault, indicate tectonic activity in the mantle. It is renowned for its breath-taking scenery, comfortable climate, and an abundance of natural resources. There is a short way to see the splendour of the plateau and Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, which is located on it.

Pothohar Plateau

The Pothohar Plateau, often referred to as Pothwar, is a plateau in north-eastern Pakistan that divides Punjab's northern region into the Indus and Jhelum rivers. The Jhelum River, the Indus River, the Kala Chitta Range, the Margalla Hills, and the Salt Range all encircle the Pothohar Plateau on its eastern, western, northern, and southern borders, respectively. The Thal desert defines the plateau's southernmost edge. The plateau's 5000 square miles are situated at an average elevation of 1200 to 1900 feet above sea level. The highest mountain in the area is Sakesar in the Salt Range, and the second highest is Tilla Jogian. One of the Punjab's five rivers, the Jhelum River flows through the Pothohar.

List of Major Plateaus of the India

The following table illustrates the major plateaus of the India −

Plateau	Location
Tibetan Plateau	North-western part of India, primarily in Tibet
Chota Nagpur Plateau	Eastern India, covering Jharkhand and parts of Bihar, Odisha, and West Bengal
Loess Plateau	Not located in India, primarily in China
Mascarene Plateau	Not located in India, primarily in the Indian Ocean, near Mauritius and Reunion Island
Bhander Plateau	Central India, mainly in Madhya Pradesh
Karbi-Meghalaya Plateau	North-eastern India, covering parts of Assam and Meghalaya
Shillong Plateau	North-eastern India, primarily in Meghalaya
Pothohar Plateau	North-western part of India, primarily in Pakistan

Conclusion

India is home to a number of large plateaus that display a variety of geographic characteristics and have a significant impact on the country's landscape. The Tibetan Plateau, which is encircled by enormous mountain ranges, is the highest and largest plateau in India. Elevated terrain can be found in India's Chota Nagpur Plateau in the east and Bhander Plateau in the centre.

North-eastern India's picturesque splendour is mostly attributed to the Karbi-Meghalaya and Shillong plateaus. Despite not being in India, the Loess Plateau and the Mascarene Plateau are significant plateaus in the vicinity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the highest and largest plateau in India?

The Tibetan Plateau is the highest and largest plateau in India.

Where is the Chota Nagpur Plateau located?

The Chota Nagpur Plateau is located in eastern India, covering Jharkhand and parts of Bihar, Odisha, and West Bengal.

Are the Loess Plateau and Mascarene Plateau located in India?

No, the Loess Plateau is primarily located in China, while the Mascarene Plateau is situated in the Indian Ocean near Mauritius and Reunion Island.

Which plateau is known for its scenic beauty in north-eastern India?

The Karbi-Meghalaya and Shillong plateaus are known for their scenic beauty in northeastern India.

Where is the Pothohar Plateau located?

The Pothohar Plateau is primarily located in north-western India, mainly in Pakistan, dividing Punjab's northern region.