Physiography of Rajasthan
Rajasthan is India's largest state by area (~342,239 sq km, ~10.4% of India). Physiographically it is divided into four major regions, split by the Aravalli Range running roughly south-west to north-east.
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Start here: what do you already know?
Rajasthan physiography — true or false?
6 statements · 8s each
Place the four divisions yourself
Before you look at the answer: drag each label onto the region you think it belongs to. Getting this wrong is the fastest way to learn it.
The four physiographic divisions
Now use the reference map below to check the detail. Notice how the Aravallis (2) cut diagonally across the state — everything west of them is desert, everything east is plain or plateau.
| Region | Key features |
|---|---|
| Western Desert (Thar) | ~60% of the state; sand dunes, low rainfall; districts like Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bikaner |
| Aravalli Hill Region | Oldest fold mountains in India; runs NE–SW; highest peak Guru Shikhar |
| Eastern Plains | Fertile plains of Banas, Chambal, Banganga; agriculture belt |
| Hadoti Plateau (SE) | Part of the Malwa/Deccan lava plateau; Kota, Bundi, Jhalawar |
The Aravalli Range
- Among the oldest fold mountains in the world.
- Runs from Gujarat → Rajasthan → Delhi, north-east direction.
- Guru Shikhar (~1,722 m) on Mount Abu is the highest peak in Rajasthan and the highest between the Himalayas and the Nilgiris.
- Acts as a climatic divide and a partial barrier to the desert's spread.
The Thar (Great Indian Desert)
- Largest desert in India; the Luni is its main (and largest saline) river.
- Features: barchan (crescent) dunes, longitudinal dunes, and playas/rann (salt flats like Sambhar).
- Sambhar Lake — India's largest inland saltwater lake, a major source of salt.
Commit to the numbers
Estimate, then check
1/3What percentage of Rajasthan is covered by the Thar Desert?
55%
Sort the districts by division
Superlatives you must not lose marks on
These are the one-mark facts RPSC repeats year after year. Tap a tile to reveal the answer — try to recall it first.
Marwar, Mewar, Hadoti, Dhundhar (cultural-regional names)
- Marwar — Jodhpur region (western).
- Mewar — Udaipur/Chittorgarh region (south).
- Hadoti — Kota/Bundi region (south-east).
- Dhundhar — Jaipur region (east-central).
- Shekhawati — Sikar/Jhunjhunu region (north-east).
Match each cultural region to its city before you move on:
Exam tip: Highest peak = Guru Shikhar (Mount Abu). Largest saltwater lake = Sambhar. Aravallis run SW → NE and are the oldest fold mountains.