Himalayan Mountain System — Complete Exam Notes
The Himalayan Mountain System is one of the most important physical features of India and is frequently asked in JKSSB, SSC, UPSC, State PSC, Railways and other competitive examinations.
1. Introduction
The Himalayas are a young fold mountain system located along the northern boundary of the Indian subcontinent.
Meaning: Himalaya = “Abode of Snow”
Type: Young fold mountainsLocation: Northern India, extending from Jammu & Kashmir/Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh
Approximate length: 2,400 km
Width: About 150–400 km
They form a natural barrier between the Indian subcontinent and the Tibetan Plateau.
The Himalayas are still tectonically active and continue to experience uplift and earthquakes.
Formation
The Himalayas were formed mainly due to the collision of the Indian Plate with the Eurasian Plate.
Exam Point:
The Himalayas are geologically young mountains, unlike the much older Aravalli Range.
2. Major Divisions of the Himalayan System
From north to south, the Himalayan system is generally divided into:
Trans-Himalayas
Greater Himalayas (Himadri)
Lesser Himalayas (Himachal)
Shiwalik Himalayas
Important: Some geographical classifications treat the Trans-Himalaya separately from the three parallel Himalayan ranges.
3. Trans-Himalayas
The Trans-Himalayas lie north of the Greater Himalayas.
Important ranges
Karakoram Range
Ladakh RangeZanskar Range
Kailash Range
Karakoram Range
Located mainly in Ladakh and adjoining areas.
Contains some of the world's highest peaks and extensive glaciers.K2 (Mount Godwin-Austen) is the highest peak of the Karakoram.
Important glaciers include:
Siachen GlacierBaltoro Glacier
Biafo Glacier
Hispar Glacier
Important Passes
Khardung La
Karakoram Pass
Chang La
Zoji La — important connection between Kashmir Valley and Ladakh.
Exam Trap: K2 is not the highest peak of India; it is the world's second-highest mountain and lies in the Karakoram.
4. Greater Himalayas — Himadri
The Greater Himalayas, also called Himadri, form the northernmost and highest continuous Himalayan range.
Important Features
Average elevation: approximately 6,000 m
Contains many of the world's highest peaks.Permanently snow-covered areas and glaciers are common.
It is the most continuous Himalayan range.
Important Peaks
| Peak | Height/Significance |
|---|---|
| Mount Everest | 8,848.86 m; highest peak in the world |
| Kanchenjunga | 8,586 m; highest peak in India |
| Lhotse | 8,516 m |
| Makalu | 8,485 m |
| Nanga Parbat | 8,126 m |
| Dhaulagiri | 8,167 m |
| Annapurna I | 8,091 m |
Important Indian Himalayan Peaks
Kanchenjunga — highest peak in India
Nanda Devi — highest peak located entirely within IndiaKamet
Namcha Barwa
Very Important MCQ Point:
Nanda Devi is the highest mountain located entirely within India.
5. Lesser Himalayas — Himachal
The Lesser Himalayas, also called Himachal, lie between the Himadri and Shiwaliks.
Important Characteristics
Average elevation: approximately 3,500–4,500 m
More discontinuous than the Greater Himalayas.
Contains many important valleys and hill stations.
Important ranges include:
Pir Panjal
Dhauladhar
Mahabharat Range
Mussoorie Range
Nag Tibba
Pir Panjal Range
The Pir Panjal is an important range of the Lesser Himalayas.
It is particularly important in Jammu & Kashmir.
Important passes include:
Pir Panjal Pass
Banihal Pass
Peer Ki Gali
Important Valleys
Kashmir Valley
Kangra Valley
Kullu Valley
Kathmandu Valley
6. Shiwalik Himalayas
The Shiwalik Range is the southernmost and outermost Himalayan range.
Important Features
Elevation: approximately 600–1,500 m
Made largely of unconsolidated sediments.
Geologically younger than the higher Himalayan ranges.
Runs almost parallel to the Lesser Himalayas.
Duns
Between the Shiwaliks and Lesser Himalayas, longitudinal valleys are called Duns.
Important examples:
Dehradun
Kotli Dun
Patli Dun
Exam Point:
Dehradun is a famous example of a Dun valley.
7. Longitudinal Division of the Himalayas
The Himalayas are also divided from west to east into regional sections.
1. Punjab Himalaya
Located between the Indus and Sutlej rivers.
Includes important ranges such as Karakoram and Pir Panjal in the broader regional classification.
2. Kumaon Himalaya
Located between the Sutlej and Kali rivers.
3. Nepal Himalaya
Located between the Kali and Teesta rivers.
Contains Mount Everest and several other very high peaks.
4. Assam Himalaya
Located between the Teesta and Dihang rivers.
Includes areas of Arunachal Pradesh.
5. Eastern Hills / Purvanchal
Beyond the Dihang Gorge, the Himalayas bend sharply southward and continue as the Purvanchal Hills.
Important ranges:
Patkai Hills
Naga Hills
Manipur Hills
Mizo/Lushai Hills
8. Important Himalayan Rivers
The Himalayas are the source of several major rivers.
Indus System
Indus
Jhelum
Chenab
Ravi
Beas
Sutlej
Ganga System
Major Himalayan tributaries include:
Yamuna
Ganga
Alaknanda
Bhagirathi
Ghaghara
Gandak
Kosi
Brahmaputra System
Brahmaputra originates in Tibet and enters India through Arunachal Pradesh, where it is known as Dihang/Siang in its upper Indian course.
9. Important Himalayan Glaciers
| Glacier | Region/Importance |
|---|---|
| Siachen | Karakoram |
| Gangotri | Uttarakhand |
| Yamunotri | Uttarakhand |
| Zemu | Sikkim |
| Milam | Uttarakhand |
| Pindari | Uttarakhand |
| Bara Shigri | Himachal Pradesh |
Siachen Glacier
Located in the Karakoram Range.
One of the world's highest-altitude glaciers.
Lies near the Siachen region of Ladakh.
10. Important Himalayan Passes
Jammu & Kashmir / Ladakh
Zoji La
Banihal Pass
Khardung La
Chang La
Karakoram Pass
Himachal Pradesh
Rohtang Pass
Bara-Lacha La
Kunzum Pass
Shipki La
Uttarakhand
Niti Pass
Mana Pass
Lipulekh Pass
Sikkim
Nathu La
Jelep La
Arunachal Pradesh
Bomdi La
Se La
Bum La
Difu Pass
11. Importance of the Himalayas
1. Climatic Barrier
The Himalayas prevent the cold continental winds of Central Asia from entering much of India.
2. Monsoon
They obstruct moisture-laden monsoon winds, helping rainfall over northern India.
3. River Source
Many perennial rivers originate from Himalayan glaciers and snowfields.
4. Agriculture
Himalayan rivers provide water and fertile alluvial deposits to the plains.
5. Forests and Biodiversity
The Himalayas contain diverse ecosystems ranging from subtropical forests to alpine environments.
6. Hydroelectricity
The steep gradients and large rivers provide considerable potential for hydropower.
7. Tourism
Important destinations include:
Kashmir
Himachal Pradesh
Uttarakhand
Sikkim
Arunachal Pradesh
8. Strategic Importance
The Himalayas form India's northern frontier and contain several strategically important passes and border regions.
12. Quick Revision — One-Liner Facts
Himalayas are young fold mountains.
They were formed mainly due to the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates.
Himadri = Greater Himalayas.
Himachal = Lesser Himalayas.
Shiwalik = Outer Himalayas.
Himadri is the highest Himalayan range.
Shiwalik is the southernmost Himalayan range.
Karakoram belongs to the Trans-Himalayan system.
K2 is located in the Karakoram Range.
Kanchenjunga is the highest peak in India.
Nanda Devi is the highest peak located entirely within India.
Dehradun is a famous Dun valley.
Pir Panjal belongs to the Lesser Himalayas.
Siachen Glacier is in the Karakoram.
Zemu Glacier is associated with Sikkim.
Gangotri Glacier is in Uttarakhand.
Nathu La is in Sikkim.
Rohtang Pass is in Himachal Pradesh.
Zoji La connects the Kashmir region with Ladakh.
Patkai, Naga and Mizo Hills are associated with the Purvanchal/Eastern Hills.
MCQs — Himalayan Mountain System
1. The Himalayas are an example of:
A) Block mountains
B) Volcanic mountains
C) Young fold mountains
D) Residual mountains
Answer: C) Young fold mountains
2. The highest and most continuous Himalayan range is:
A) Shiwalik
B) Himachal
C) Himadri
D) Purvanchal
Answer: C) Himadri
3. Himadri is another name for:
A) Lesser Himalayas
B) Greater Himalayas
C) Shiwaliks
D) Trans-Himalayas
Answer: B) Greater Himalayas
4. Himachal refers to:
A) Greater Himalayas
B) Lesser Himalayas
C) Outer Himalayas
D) Trans-Himalayas
Answer: B) Lesser Himalayas
5. Which is the southernmost range of the Himalayas?
A) Himadri
B) Himachal
C) Shiwalik
D) Karakoram
Answer: C) Shiwalik
6. Which range is part of the Trans-Himalayas?
A) Pir Panjal
B) Karakoram
C) Dhauladhar
D) Shiwalik
Answer: B) Karakoram
7. K2 is located in:
A) Himalayas
B) Karakoram Range
C) Aravalli Range
D) Western Ghats
Answer: B) Karakoram Range
8. Which is the highest peak in India?
A) Nanda Devi
B) Kamet
C) Kanchenjunga
D) Anamudi
Answer: C) Kanchenjunga
9. Which is the highest mountain located entirely within India?
A) Kanchenjunga
B) Nanda Devi
C) Kamet
D) Saser Kangri
Answer: B) Nanda Devi
10. Dehradun is an example of:
A) Rift valley
B) Dun valley
C) Delta
D) Gorge
Answer: B) Dun valley
11. The Pir Panjal Range belongs to:
A) Greater Himalayas
B) Lesser Himalayas
C) Shiwaliks
D) Trans-Himalayas
Answer: B) Lesser Himalayas
12. Siachen Glacier is situated in:
A) Aravalli
B) Karakoram
C) Nilgiri
D) Shiwalik
Answer: B) Karakoram
13. Nathu La Pass is located in:
A) Sikkim
B) Himachal Pradesh
C) Uttarakhand
D) Arunachal Pradesh
Answer: A) Sikkim
14. Rohtang Pass is located in:
A) Jammu & Kashmir
B) Himachal Pradesh
C) Sikkim
D) Uttarakhand
Answer: B) Himachal Pradesh
15. Zoji La connects:
A) Sikkim and Tibet
B) Kashmir Valley and Ladakh
C) Assam and Meghalaya
D) Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand
Answer: B) Kashmir Valley and Ladakh
16. Which of the following is NOT a Himalayan range?
A) Pir Panjal
B) Dhauladhar
C) Karakoram
D) Satpura
Answer: D) Satpura
17. The Shiwalik Range is mainly composed of:
A) Granite
B) Unconsolidated sediments
C) Basalt
D) Limestone only
Answer: B) Unconsolidated sediments
18. Which river is NOT a major Himalayan river?
A) Indus
B) Ganga
C) Brahmaputra
D) Godavari
Answer: D) Godavari
19. The Himalayas were formed primarily due to:
A) Volcanic activity
B) Wind erosion
C) Collision of Indian and Eurasian plates
D) River deposition
Answer: C) Collision of Indian and Eurasian plates
20. Which hills form part of the Purvanchal?
A) Patkai Hills
B) Aravalli Hills
C) Nilgiri Hills
D) Cardamom Hills
Answer: A) Patkai Hills
Statement-Type MCQs
21. Consider the following statements:
The Himalayas are young fold mountains.
The Shiwaliks are the southernmost Himalayan range.
Pir Panjal is part of the Greater Himalayas.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 1 and 3 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A) 1 and 2 only
22. Consider the following statements about the Greater Himalayas:
They are also called Himadri.
They contain many high peaks.
They are the outermost Himalayan range.
Correct answer:
A) 1 only
B) 1 and 2 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B) 1 and 2 only
23. Consider the following pairs:
| Range | Classification |
|---|---|
| 1. Karakoram | Trans-Himalaya |
| 2. Pir Panjal | Lesser Himalaya |
| 3. Shiwalik | Outer Himalaya |
Which pairs are correctly matched?
A) 1 only
B) 1 and 2 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D) 1, 2 and 3
24. Consider the following statements:
Dehradun is a Dun valley.
Duns occur between the Shiwaliks and Lesser Himalayas.
Duns are found only in the Trans-Himalayas.
Which are correct?
A) 1 only
B) 1 and 2 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B) 1 and 2 only
25. Consider the following pairs:
Nathu La — Sikkim
Rohtang — Himachal Pradesh
Mana Pass — Uttarakhand
Bomdi La — Arunachal Pradesh
Which pairs are correctly matched?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 1, 2 and 3 only
C) 2, 3 and 4 only
D) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: D) 1, 2, 3 and 4