Topography

Topography of Bihar shows a distinctive pattern. Bihar portrays an undulating topography giving rise to short-range variations in terrain and soil and water conditions; thereby influencing the crops that are grown in this region.

Talking in terms of topography, Bihar is divided into three main divisions, which are characterized by distinctive soil pattern, viz.:

• The upper terraces or uplands - light-textured soil.
• The middle terraces or medium lands - heavily textured soils.
• The lower terraces or lowlands - heavily textured soils.

The soil texture, an indelible part of the topography of Bihar, influences the soil moisture storage capacity, which along with the water-table depth, determines the availability of moisture for the cropping pattern.

Further, the topography of Bihar is subject to various intensities of use, viz.:

• Harsh soils, erosion and unsuitable water conditions make this topography of Bihar unfit for cultivation.
• Barhi, the uplands (also known as 'tanr') close to the homesteads are supplied with water from the dug wells and are suitable for growing vegetables, high-yielding variety of potato, wheat, rice, etc.
• The lower portions of the uplands, i. e. the mid-uplands (known as 'ajan' in Giridih and 'kanali' in Purulia) are suitable for rice varieties.
• The lowlands in spite of being the most fertile has a limited cropping pattern which is confined to growing rice due to excessive moisture and poor drainage.

It goes without mention that the topography of Bihar is also blessed with certain rivers that keep up the prospects of survival in Bihar. Among the important rivers are:

• Ganga
• Sone
• Poonpoon
• Falgu
• Karmanasa
• Durgawati
• Kosi
• Ghaghara
• Sarayu
• Gandak, etc.

Moreover, the topography of Bihar shows an extreme climatic condition, i. e. Bihar gets the worst heat and cold.

Thus, as it is evident, the topography of Bihar shows a distinctive pattern which is unique in itself.