Geography of Rajasthan and India
Geography questions test the location of physical features, drainage, climate, soils, crops, minerals, and the link between terrain and settlement. Rajasthan's west is arid, the Aravalli belt is transitional, and the eastern plains are more humid and agriculturally richer.
Core rules and facts
- The Aravalli is an old fold mountain; Guru Shikhar in Sirohi district is its highest peak.
- The Thar Desert dominates western Rajasthan; Jaisalmer is the largest district by area, while Jaipur is the most populous.
- The Luni originates near Pushkar in the Aravalli and drains southwest towards the Rann of Kutch; it is Rajasthan's main westerly river.
- The Chambal flows through eastern Rajasthan and joins the Yamuna; the Banas originates in the Aravalli and joins the Chambal.
- Sambhar is a large inland saline lake; the Indira Gandhi Canal serves the desert districts.
- Minerals include zinc at Zawar, copper at Khetri, and marble at Makrana.
Worked example
A question asks which river originates in Rajasthan and drains into the Rann of Kutch. The reasoning is that the Luni rises in the Aravalli near Pushkar, flows southwest, and loses itself in the Rann; the Chambal and Banas belong to the Ganga basin. The answer is the Luni, not the Chambal.
Climate and agriculture
The west receives low and erratic rainfall, so bajra, guar, and livestock dominate; the east grows wheat, maize, and mustard. Soil types range from sandy desert soils to alluvial and black soils. Irrigation projects change cropping patterns but can also create salinity and waterlogging.
Traps that cost marks
Placing the Luni in the Bay of Bengal drainage; confusing Sambhar with a freshwater lake; mixing Jaisalmer's area rank with Jaipur's population rank; forgetting that the Aravalli is a residual, not a young, mountain system.
Key points
- Guru Shikhar is the highest Aravalli peak, in Sirohi.
- The Luni drains southwest towards the Rann of Kutch.
- Jaisalmer is largest by area; Jaipur is most populous.
- Zawar is associated with zinc and Khetri with copper.