The Patkai Hills, located along India’s north eastern frontier, form part of which broader mountain system?

Introduction / Context:
This question deals with the physical geography of India, particularly the hills along the country's north eastern borders. The Patkai Hills lie in this region and are part of a larger system of hills that extend from the eastern edge of the Himalayas into the North East. Understanding which broader system they belong to helps you visualise India's complex mountain chains and their regional names.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The specific hills mentioned are the Patkai Hills.
• They are located along India's north eastern frontier.
• The question asks which broader mountain system they are part of.
• Options include Himachal Himalaya, Hindu Kush, Purvanchal, Himgiri and Western Ghats.
• We assume familiarity with basic Indian physiographic divisions.

Concept / Approach:
The eastern extension of the Himalayas and the complex of hills in the North East are collectively referred to as the Purvanchal or Eastern Hills. This system includes ranges like the Patkai, Naga, Manipur and Mizo Hills. Himachal Himalaya refers to a section of the main Himalayan range in the north, not to the eastern hills. Hindu Kush is a mountain system to India's north west, mainly in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Himgiri is not a standard name for a specific Indian mountain system, and the Western Ghats lie along the west coast of peninsular India. Therefore, the correct conceptual grouping places the Patkai Hills in the Purvanchal system.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Locate the Patkai Hills in India's North East, near the border with Myanmar. Step 2: Recall that the North Eastern hills, including Patkai, Naga and Mizo Hills, are collectively called Purvanchal. Step 3: Note that Himachal Himalaya refers to the central part of the main Himalayan chain in northern India, not to the eastern offshoots. Step 4: Recognise that Hindu Kush is located far to the north west, outside India's North East, and Western Ghats are along the western peninsula. Step 5: Select Purvanchal as the broader mountain system that includes the Patkai Hills.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, picture the basic map of India's mountains: the main Himalayas stretching west to east in the north, their eastern continuation bending southwards into the North East as Purvanchal, and the Western and Eastern Ghats along the coasts. The Patkai Hills lie on the north eastern frontier and clearly belong to this eastern offshoot, not to the north western Hindu Kush or the central Himachal Himalaya. Geography textbooks consistently group Patkai with other Purvanchal ranges, confirming that Purvanchal is the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Himachal Himalaya: Refers to a section of the main Himalayan range in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, not to the hills of the North East.

Hindu Kush: A mountain system mainly in Afghanistan and Pakistan, forming part of the north western highlands, far away from the Patkai Hills.
Himgiri: Not a standard name for a recognised mountain system in Indian geography at school level; it is sometimes used poetically for snowclad peaks in general.
Western Ghats: A long mountain chain running parallel to India's western coast, separate from the eastern hill ranges in the North East.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse the many regional names of Indian mountains or assume that any hill near the Himalayas must be part of the main Himalayan ranges like Himachal Himalaya. Others may be unfamiliar with the term Purvanchal and therefore hesitate to choose it. To avoid such errors, remember that Purvanchal literally means 'eastern mountain region' and is the umbrella term used for the north eastern hills, including Patkai. Once this is clear, you can confidently rule out the other options.

Final Answer:
The Patkai Hills form part of the Purvanchal mountain system.