Module 1: Soils of Bihar
Concept
Subtopic 1.1: Soils of Bihar
- Soil is the base of agriculture. About 90% of Bihar's land is formed of alluvium, so alluvial soil dominates.
- Terai soil: dark, moisture-rich soil along the Terai from Champaran to Kishanganj; suits paddy, jute and sugarcane.
- Bhangar (old alluvium) is slightly higher, with kankar; Khadar (new alluvium) is renewed by floods and very fertile.
- Balsundari soil: deep brown, lies in north Bihar beyond the Bhangar area; fertile and suited to many crops.
- Tal soil: in the south of the Ganga, a strip 8–10 km wide of ash-grey (dhusar) soil with fine particles; deposited in floods; very fertile, good for rabi crops (pulses).
- Karail-Kewal soil (old alluvium of the southern plain): heavy, sticky clay, poor drainage; found around Shahabad, Patna, Munger.
- Balthar soil: at the border of the Chotanagpur plateau; sand and kankar; maize, arhar, kulthi, gram, jowar–bajra grow.
- Lal-pili (red-yellow) soil: plateau soil of Kaimur and Rohtas; more sand, low fertility; coarse grains grow.
⭐ Key Points
- About 90% of the land is alluvium.
- It forms a flood-deposited strip, good for rabi crops.
- It is a plateau soil with low fertility.
- Khadar is new alluvium; Bhangar is old.
- It is sandy with kankar near Chotanagpur.
- Paddy, jute and sugarcane.
📌 One-line Q&A
- Question: Which soil dominates Bihar (about 90%)? Answer: Alluvial soil.
- Question: Tal soil is found: Answer: South of the Ganga, in a strip 8–10 km wide.
- Question: Lal-pili soil occurs in: Answer: Kaimur and Rohtas plateau.
- Question: Khadar compared with Bhangar is: Answer: New and renewed by floods.
- Question: Balthar soil is rich in: Answer: Sand and kankar.
- Question: Terai soil suits crops like: Answer: Paddy, jute, sugarcane.
Topic
MCQs
Answer this question, then use Next.
Question 1: Which soil dominates Bihar (about 90%)?
About 90% of the land is alluvium.
Question 2: Tal soil is found:
It forms a flood-deposited strip, good for rabi crops.
Question 3: Lal-pili soil occurs in:
It is a plateau soil with low fertility.
Question 4: Khadar compared with Bhangar is:
Khadar is new alluvium; Bhangar is old.
Question 5: Balthar soil is rich in:
It is sandy with kankar near Chotanagpur.
Question 6: Terai soil suits crops like:
Paddy, jute and sugarcane.
Question 1 of 6
One-liners
Write your answer, then submit to see the correct answer.
Which soil dominates Bihar (about 90%)?
Alluvial soil.Tal soil is found:
South of the Ganga, in a strip 8–10 km wide.Lal-pili soil occurs in:
Kaimur and Rohtas plateau.Khadar compared with Bhangar is:
New and renewed by floods.Balthar soil is rich in:
Sand and kankar.Terai soil suits crops like:
Paddy, jute, sugarcane.
Question 1 of 6