Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
Indo-Gangetic Plain
Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics
Images
Map highlighting the Indo-Gangetic Plain in orange, stretching across northern India, eastern Pakistan, southern Nepal, and Bangladesh. Surrounding countries, major bodies of water, and a small locator globe are also shown for context. Map highlighting the Indo-Gangetic Plain in orange, stretching across northern India, eastern Pakistan, southern Nepal, and Bangladesh. The plain is shown as a broad, continuous band extending from Pakistan in the west through northern India to Bangladesh in the east, with surrounding countries and major bodies of water labeled for context.
Quick Facts
Also called:
North Indian Plain
See all related content
Britannica AI Icon
Adding us as a Preferred Source tells Google you trust our content, so our articles show up more often in your Google Search, Discover feed, and AI Overviews.
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Britannica Websites
Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.
Map highlighting the Indo-Gangetic Plain in orange, stretching across northern India, eastern Pakistan, southern Nepal, and Bangladesh. Surrounding countries, major bodies of water, and a small locator globe are also shown for context.
Indo-Gangetic Plain

Indo-Gangetic Plain

plain, Asia
Also known as: Gangetic Plain, North Indian Plain
Written and fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
Britannica Editors
History
Map highlighting the Indo-Gangetic Plain in orange, stretching across northern India, eastern Pakistan, southern Nepal, and Bangladesh. The plain is shown as a broad, continuous band extending from Pakistan in the west through northern India to Bangladesh in the east, with surrounding countries and major bodies of water labeled for context.
Indo-Gangetic Plain

Indo-Gangetic Plain, extensive north-central section of the Indian subcontinent, stretching westward from (and including) the combined delta of the Brahmaputra and Ganges (Ganga) rivers to the Indus River valley. The region contains the subcontinent’s richest and most densely populated areas. The greater part of the plain is made up of alluvial soil deposited by the three main rivers and their tributaries. The eastern part of the plain has light rains or drought in the winter, but summer rainfall is so heavy that vast areas become swamps or shallow lakes. The plain becomes progressively drier toward the west where it incorporates the Thar (Great Indian) Desert.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Michele Metych.
Discover the fascinating events that shaped the world, straight from our editors.
By clicking “Sign Up”, you consent to the Britannica Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.