If there were no Himalayan ranges, what would have been the most likely geographical impact on India ? 1. Much of the country would experience the cold waves from Siberia. 2. Indo-gangetic plain would be devoid of such extensive alluvial soils. 3. The pattern of monsoon would be different from what it is at present. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

All three statements are correct. The Himalayan barrier prevents cold Siberian air from entering the subcontinent, so without the ranges much of India—especially the north—would be exposed to cold waves from Siberia [1]. The Indo‑Gangetic Plain is the consolidated alluvium deposited by rivers that drain the Himalaya; without Himalayan uplift and erosion this extensive alluvial accumulation would not have formed as it is today [2]. Finally, the Himalaya strongly modify large‑scale circulation—trapping monsoon winds, altering precipitation distribution and splitting jet streams—so the monsoon pattern would be substantially different in their absence [1]. Together these effects explain why statements 1, 2 and 3 are all correct.

Sources

1. [1] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 2: Physiography > 1. Climatic Influence > p. 28
2. [2] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 8: Convergent Boundary > Formation of The Himalayans and The Tibetan Plateau > p. 121