What is the Difference Between Bhangar and Khadar?

Bhangar and Khadar are terms used in Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, and Sindhi to differentiate between two types of soil found in the Indo-Gangetic plains of North India and Pakistan. The main differences between Bhangar and Khadar soils are:

1. Fertility: Bhangar soils are less fertile as they are above the flood level, while Khadar soils are more fertile as they are below the flood level.
2. Composition: Bhangar soil is full of kankers (lime nodules) and constitutes old alluvial plains. On the other hand, Khadar soil is composed of fine silt and clay, forming new alluvial plains due to alluvial deposits along the course of the rivers.
3. Location: Bhangar soil is found away from the river, while Khadar soil is found near the river basin.
4. Moisture Retention: Khadar soil is moisture-retentive and sticky when wet, which makes it more suitable for agriculture.
5. Cultivation: The Khadar lands are suitable for the cultivation of sugarcane, rice, wheat, maize, and oilseeds.

In summary, Bhangar soils are older, less fertile, and lime nodule-rich, while Khadar soils are younger, more fertile, and composed of fine silt and clay. These differences in soil composition and fertility affect their suitability for agriculture, with Khadar soils being more suitable for cultivation.

Comparative Table: Bhangar vs Khadar

The main differences between Bhangar and Khadar are as follows:

Bhangar is an older alluvial plains region that represents upland alluvial tracts, while the Khadar plains are newly formed plains due to alluvial deposits along the course of the rivers. The soil of the Bhangar belt is continuously deposited and is very rich in humus, giving a high yield. In contrast, the soil in the Khadar plains is renewed every year by the floodwater, making it more fertile than Bhangar.