In which State is the Guru Shikhar Peak located?

1. Physiographic Divisions of India (basic)

Welcome to your first step in mastering Indian Geography! To understand India, we must first look at its physical 'skeleton.' India is a land of incredible physical diversity, shaped over millions of years by powerful endogenic (internal) and exogenic (external) forces, such as plate tectonics and river erosion. According to India Physical Environment, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.), Structure and Physiography, p.8, the country is broadly divided into three geological regions: the ancient Peninsular Block, the young Himalayas, and the fertile Indo-Ganga-Brahmaputra Plain. However, for a more detailed study of the terrain, we look at the six major physiographic divisions of India. These six divisions define the character of our subcontinent. They range from the towering, snow-capped peaks of the north to the ancient, stable plateaus of the south. As noted in Contemporary India-I, Geography, Class IX (NCERT 2025 ed.), Physical Features of India, p.7, these divisions are:

• The Himalayan Mountains: Young and structurally fold mountains that act as a climatic divide.
• The Northern Plains: Formed by the alluvial deposits of the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra rivers.
• The Peninsular Plateau: A tableland composed of old crystalline, igneous, and metamorphic rocks.
• The Indian Desert: The arid 'Thar' region located west of the Aravalli Hills.
• The Coastal Plains: The narrow strips of land flanking the Peninsular plateau along the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.
• The Islands: The Lakshadweep (coral origin) and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (tectonic/volcanic origin).

To grasp the essence of these divisions, it is helpful to contrast the two most significant landforms: the Himalayas and the Peninsular Plateau. While the Himalayas are 'young' and still rising, the Peninsular Plateau is one of the oldest and most stable landmasses on Earth, having been part of the ancient Gondwanaland.

Feature	Himalayan Region	Peninsular Plateau
Geological Age	Geologically young and unstable.	Very old and highly stable.
Relief	High peaks, deep valleys, and fast-flowing rivers.	Rounded hills and shallow valleys.
Formation	Formed by the folding of the Earth's crust.	Formed by the breaking and drifting of Gondwanaland.

Sources: Contemporary India-I, Geography, Class IX (NCERT 2025 ed.), Physical Features of India, p.7, 15; India Physical Environment, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.), Structure and Physiography, p.8

2. The Peninsular Plateau and Central Highlands (basic)

To understand the heart of the Indian subcontinent, we must look at the Peninsular Plateau. This is not just a piece of land; it is a massive tableland composed of some of the oldest rocks on Earth — crystalline, igneous, and metamorphic. Unlike the young, jagged Himalayas, this plateau was formed by the breaking and drifting of the ancient Gondwana land, making it a part of India's oldest and most stable landmass NCERT Class IX, Physical Features of India, p.12. Visually, it looks like an irregular triangle with an elevation ranging from 600 to 900 meters NCERT Class XI, Structure and Physiography, p.12.

Geographers divide this vast plateau into two primary sections, separated roughly by the Narmada River. The portion lying to the north of the Narmada is known as the Central Highlands. This region covers a significant part of the Malwa Plateau and is bounded by the Vindhyan Range to the south and the Aravalli Range to the northwest NCERT Class IX, Physical Features of India, p.12. The landscape here is characterized by broad, shallow valleys and rounded hills, a sign of millions of years of erosion.

One of the most fascinating features of the Central Highlands is the Aravalli Range. Stretching nearly 800 km from Delhi to Gujarat, these are among the oldest folded mountains in the world Majid Husain, Physiography, p.54. Over eons, they have been "denuded" (worn down by nature), which is why they appear as disjointed hills today. The crown jewel of this range is Guru Shikhar, located in the Mount Abu hill complex in Rajasthan. Standing at 1,722 meters, it is the highest peak of the Aravallis Majid Husain, Physiography, p.54.

Feature	Central Highlands	Deccan Plateau
Location	North of Narmada River	South of Narmada River
Major Components	Malwa Plateau, Aravallis, Vindhyas, Bundelkhand	Satpura, Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats
Slope Direction	Generally slopes North/Northeast (towards Gangetic plains)	Generally slopes West to East

Sources: NCERT Class IX, Contemporary India-I, Physical Features of India, p.12; NCERT Class XI, India Physical Environment, Structure and Physiography, p.12; Majid Husain, Geography of India, Physiography, p.54

3. Mountain Types: Fold vs. Block Mountains in India (intermediate)

Concept: Mountain Types: Fold vs. Block Mountains in India

4. Drainage Systems of Western & Central India (intermediate)

The drainage of Western and Central India is a fascinating departure from the general rule of the Indian Peninsula. While most major peninsular rivers flow eastward into the Bay of Bengal due to the plateau's gentle tilt, the Narmada and Tapi are unique exceptions. These rivers flow westward into the Arabian Sea because they occupy rift valleys formed by geological faults INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.), Drainage System, p.23. Unlike the east-flowing rivers that create massive deltas, these west-flowing rivers form estuaries, as the steep gradient and rocky terrain prevent the accumulation of extensive silt at their mouths CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I, Geography, Class IX (NCERT 2025 ed.), Drainage, p.21. Moving further northwest, the Aravalli Range serves as a critical water divide. To its west lies the Luni River, the largest river system in Rajasthan. The Luni originates near Pushkar in two branches—the Saraswati and the Sabarmati—which merge at Govindgarh INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.), Drainage System, p.24. The Luni is an ephemeral (seasonal) river that does not reach the ocean; instead, it becomes brackish after Balotra and eventually terminates in the marshy Rann of Kuchchh Geography of India, Majid Husain (McGrawHill 9th ed.), The Drainage System of India, p.19. At the heart of this drainage divide sits the Mount Abu hill complex, crowned by Guru Shikhar (1,722 m). As the highest peak of the Aravalli Range, Guru Shikhar is located in the Sirohi district of Rajasthan Geography of India, Majid Husain (McGrawHill 9th ed.), Physiography, p.54. This peak is not just a high point; it symbolizes the anchor of the ancient Aravalli system which separates the Thar Desert's internal drainage from the more robust river systems of Central India.

Feature	Narmada & Tapi	Luni River
Nature	Perennial/Semi-perennial flow	Ephemeral (Seasonal)
Geology	Flow through Rift Valleys	Flows through arid plains
Outlet	Arabian Sea (Estuaries)	Rann of Kuchchh (Inland drainage)

Sources: INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.), Drainage System, p.23-24; Geography of India, Majid Husain (McGrawHill 9th ed.), The Drainage System of India, p.19; Geography of India, Majid Husain (McGrawHill 9th ed.), Physiography, p.54; CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I, Geography, Class IX (NCERT 2025 ed.), Drainage, p.21

5. Climatic Influence of the Western Ranges (intermediate)

The Aravalli Range, stretching from Gujarat through Rajasthan to Haryana and Delhi, serves as one of India's most significant climatic divides. Its primary influence on the climate of Northwest India is defined by its alignment relative to the prevailing winds. Unlike the Western Ghats or the Himalayas, which stand as perpendicular walls to moisture-laden winds, the Aravallis run parallel to the direction of the Arabian Sea branch of the South-West Monsoon. Consequently, these moisture-bearing winds pass by the range without being forced to rise and cool, which results in very little orographic rainfall for the region. This is a fundamental reason why much of Rajasthan remains arid despite its proximity to the sea Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Geographical Diversity of India, p.15.

Beyond the monsoon mechanics, the Aravallis act as a natural barrier or a "buffer zone." They effectively check the eastward expansion of the Thar Desert, preventing the wind-blown sands of the desert from encroaching upon the fertile Indo-Gangetic plains Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Geographical Diversity of India, p.15. To the west of the range lies the vast, arid expanse of the Thar, characterized by aeolian (wind-deposited) sand accumulation Geography of India, Physiography, p.46. To the east, the range allows for a more sub-humid climate, supporting more intensive agriculture and higher population densities.

While the range is generally low-lying due to millions of years of weathering, localized high points like the Mount Abu hill complex create unique microclimates. These higher elevations are capable of triggering limited orographic precipitation and supporting distinct vegetation types compared to the surrounding sandy plains. Additionally, the range serves as a drainage divide; for instance, the Luni River originates in the Pushkar valley of the Aravallis and is the only major natural water source in the region that flows toward the Rann of Kutch Geography of India, Physiography, p.47.

Sources: Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Geographical Diversity of India, p.15; Geography of India, Physiography, p.46; Geography of India, Physiography, p.47

6. The Aravalli Range: Extent and Geography (exam-level)

The Aravalli Range is not just a collection of hills; it is one of the oldest geological features on Earth. Formed during the Precambrian era, these were once towering fold mountains, similar to the Himalayas today. However, over hundreds of millions of years, they have been weathered and eroded by nature, leaving behind what geographers call relict mountains or denuded hills. The range stretches for approximately 800 km in a North-East to South-West direction, starting near Delhi, passing through Haryana and Rajasthan, and ending at Palanpur in Gujarat Geography of India, Majid Husain, Physiography, p.54.

Geologically, the Aravallis are primarily composed of ancient metamorphic rocks like quartzites, gneisses, and schists. A defining feature of its southern reach is the Mount Abu hill complex. The highest point of the entire range is Guru Shikhar, standing at 1,722 meters above sea level. Interestingly, while Guru Shikhar is the crown of the range, it is separated from the main Mount Abu plateau by the Goranghat Pass. Further north-west of Udaipur, the range rises again as the Jarga Hills (1,431 m) Geography of India, Majid Husain, Physiography, p.54. To the east, the range is separated from the Vindhyan Mountains by a major geological discontinuity known as the Great Boundary Fault (GBF).

Beyond its physical height, the Aravallis act as a critical ecological sentinel. They function as a natural barrier that prevents the eastward expansion of the Thar Desert into the fertile plains of Central India Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Geographical Diversity of India, p.15. Furthermore, the range is a treasure trove of metallic minerals. It has been a hub for mining copper, zinc, and lead since ancient times, alongside high-quality building materials like marble and granite INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, Mineral and Energy Resources, p.54.

Sources: Geography of India, Majid Husain, Physiography, p.54; Exploring Society: India and Beyond (NCERT), Geographical Diversity of India, p.15; INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY (NCERT), Mineral and Energy Resources, p.54

7. Mount Abu and the Highest Peaks of India (exam-level)

When we study the physiography of India, we look at high-altitude markers that define our mountain systems. A crucial landmark is the Aravalli Range, which stands as one of the oldest fold mountain systems in the world, dating back approximately 2.5 billion years Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Class VII, p.14. While much of the range has been weathered down to hills between 300 and 900 metres, its crowning glory is the Mount Abu hill complex. The highest summit here is Guru Shikhar, reaching an altitude of 1,722 metres. Located in the Sirohi district of Rajasthan, Mount Abu is not just a geographical high point but also the state's premier hill station Geography of India, Majid Husain, p.92.

Moving to the North, the Great Himalayas house the world's highest peaks. While Mount Everest (8,848 m) lies in Nepal, Kanchenjunga (8,598 m) is the highest peak located within India's borders according to standard educational texts Contemporary India-I, Class IX, p.8. Other significant Himalayan peaks in India include Nanga Parbat (8,126 m) and Nanda Devi (7,817 m). Understanding these elevations is vital for UPSC, as it helps visualize the sharp contrast between the ancient, eroded Aravallis and the young, soaring Himalayas.

In South India, the topography changes again. The Western Ghats (Sahyadri) are generally higher than the Eastern Ghats, and their elevation increases as you move from north to south. The highest peak in the Western Ghats—and indeed all of Peninsular India—is Anai Mudi at 2,695 metres Contemporary India-I, Class IX, p.12. In contrast, the Eastern Ghats are lower and discontinuous, with Mahendragiri (1,501 m) often cited as a prominent high point in that range.

Mountain Range	Highest Peak	Approx. Height
Himalayas (India)	Kanchenjunga	8,598 m
Western Ghats	Anai Mudi	2,695 m
Aravalli Range	Guru Shikhar	1,722 m
Eastern Ghats	Mahendragiri	1,501 m

Sources: Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Class VII, Geographical Diversity of India, p.14; Geography of India, Majid Husain, Industries, p.92; Contemporary India-I, Class IX, Physical Features of India, p.8; Contemporary India-I, Class IX, Physical Features of India, p.12

8. Solving the Original PYQ (exam-level)

Having explored the Physiography of India, you have learned that the Aravalli Range is one of the oldest fold mountain systems in the world, stretching diagonally across Western India. This question tests your ability to pinpoint the highest elevation within that system. Recall that the Guru Shikhar Peak, standing at approximately 1,722 meters, is the crowning glory of the Mount Abu hill complex. By connecting the concept of the Aravalli's relief features to its specific administrative location, you can identify this peak as the highest point of the North Central Highlands, as detailed in Geography of India by Majid Husain.

To arrive at the correct answer, think about the geographic identity of Mount Abu, which is famously known as the only hill station in this arid region. It is situated in the Sirohi district, which is a key part of the state of Rajasthan. While the Aravalli Range technically extends into neighboring regions, its most prominent and elevated summits are concentrated here. Therefore, the correct answer is (A) Rajasthan. This reasoning is further supported by NIOS India Physical Features, which explicitly identifies Guru Shikhar as the prominent summit of the state's unique hill complex.

UPSC often uses neighboring states as traps to test the precision of your map-pointing skills. While the Aravallis do terminate in Gujarat, the elevations there are significantly lower. Madhya Pradesh is primarily defined by the Vindhya and Satpura ranges, and Maharashtra is dominated by the Western Ghats (Sahyadris). By associating Guru Shikhar specifically with the Mount Abu complex in the Sirohi district, you can easily filter out these distractors and avoid the common mistake of confusing different mountain systems in the Peninsular Plateau.