Q. Consider the following pairs :
- Cardamom Hills : Coromandel Coast
- Kaimur Hills: Konkan Coast
- Mahadeo Hills: Central India
- Mikir Hills: North-East India
Which of the above pairs are correctly matched? (UPSC Prelims 2014)
Answer:
3 and 4
Notes: The correct answer is
[C] 3 and 4. This question requires a clear understanding of India’s physical geography, specifically the location of various hill ranges relative to the coastal and regional divisions of the subcontinent.Analysis of the Pairs:
- Cardamom Hills — Coromandel Coast (Pair 1 – Incorrect): The Cardamom Hills are located in the southern part of the Western Ghats (Kerala and Tamil Nadu). The Coromandel Coast refers to the southeastern coast of India (Eastern Ghats side). The Cardamom Hills are geographically closer to the Malabar Coast (West) rather than the Coromandel Coast (East).
- Kaimur Hills — Konkan Coast (Pair 2 – Incorrect): The Kaimur Hills are the eastern termination of the Vindhya Range, stretching across Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. The Konkan Coast is the rugged section of the western coastline of India, running from Raigad to Mangalore. There is no geographical overlap between these two.
- Mahadeo Hills — Central India (Pair 3 – Correct): The Mahadeo Hills are a range of hills in Madhya Pradesh. They form the central part of the Satpura Range, situated to the north of the Tapti River. They are a classic feature of the Central Highlands/Central India.
- Mikir Hills — North-East India (Pair 4 – Correct): The Mikir Hills are located in the state of Assam. They are part of the Karbi Anglong plateau and are situated just south of the Kaziranga National Park. They are a distinct hill feature of North-East India.
Geographical Summary Table:| Hill Range | Actual Region / Range | State(s) |
| Cardamom Hills | Southern Western Ghats | Kerala & Tamil Nadu |
| Kaimur Hills | Eastern Vindhya Range | MP, UP & Bihar |
| Mahadeo Hills | Central Satpura Range | Madhya Pradesh |
| Mikir Hills | North-East India | Assam |
The Indian subcontinent's topography is divided into the Himalayan mountains, the Northern Plains, and the Peninsular Plateau. Most of these hills (except Mikir) are part of the Peninsular Plateau block.