ADVERTISEMENTS:
1. Mountain ranges of the Himalayas in the North:
The lofty mountain ranges of the Himalayas lie to the north of India which stretch from Kashmir in the west to Assam in the east. These mighty ranges of the Himalayas can be divided into two groups. The hills like Hindu Kush, Sulaiman, Safed Koh and Kirthar, in the North-West region of the Himalayas come under the first group.
The second group consists of the hills like Khasi, Jayantia, Pat Koi etc. in the Eastern region. Besides there are many passes like Khyber, Tochi, Gomal etc. which served as cultural and commercial link between India and abroad. All these ranges are 1500 miles in length and around 200 miles in breadth, Mount Everest being the highest peak of the world measuring 29,142 feet high.
Besides protecting the country in the north-west frontier, it is also responsible for heavy rainfall in the country. Considering its importance Prof. H.C. Raychaudhuri remarked.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
“The stupendous mountain chain fences this country off from the rest of Asia, while it constituted India a world by itself and favoured the growth of a distinct type of civilization”
2. The great Indo-Gangetic Plain:
The great Indo-Gangetic Plain which stretches from the Bay of Bengal to the Arabian sea is the most important natural region of India. It is around 2000 miles in length and 150 to 200 miles in breadth. This vast plain is irrigated by the rivers like Ganges, Brahmaputra and Indus.
Its fertility had led to the establishment of great cities like Banaras, Allahabad, Pataliputra, Delhi, Agra etc. in this region. Famous kings like Chandragupla Maurya, Asoka, Samudragupta, Chandragupta II, Harsavardhan, Akbar and many others rose into eminence in this region. Due to its fertility, the foreign invaders had also attacked this country. This part of the country has made the land prosperous.
3. The Deccan Plateau:
The Deccan Plateau stretches from the Vindhyas to Cape Comorin. It slopes down from west to east. Western Ghats is situates in the west and Eastern Ghats is in the east Mahanadi, Krishna, Godavari, Kaveri, Narmada and Tapti are important rivers of this region. This plateau is surrounded by open sea on its three sides. Its splendid isolation from other parts of the country made its culture distinct.
However, the rulers of the Southem dynasties such as the Andhras, Cholas, Chalvikyas, Yavanas and the Hoysalas welcomed the literature and civilization of the north. The Marathas of this land became famous for their bravery and military skill. The South always protected the culture of the north, when the latter was in Peril.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
4. Coastal Ghats:
The Coastal Ghats from the large sea belts on the east and west of Southern India. It comprises of the deltas of Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri. Malabar coast and Konkan coast are two famous coasts in this region. The inhabitants of both the Ghats maintained relation with the countries like Java, Sumatra, Burma, Siam and Indo-China. The coastal region had also influenced the course of Indian history through its ports which facilitated trade and commerce with outside country.
Thus, geography has influenced the course of Indian history to a great extent. It has created different local zones with political and cultural units. The primitive culture of this land was maintained by its forests, deserts, mountains and river valleys. The physical features of this land had created warrior races, facilitated maritime activities, cultural linkages and had contributed a lot for the growth of art and architecture.