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The correct answer is Option 4: Gondwana Continent.
The Indian subcontinent was originally part of a massive landmass known as the Gondwana Continent. Gondwana was a supercontinent that existed during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras, approximately 510 to 180 million years ago. It was formed when the earlier supercontinent, Pangaea, began to break apart.
Gondwana was made up of several modern-day continents, including South America, Africa, Antarctica, Australia, and the Indian subcontinent. These landmasses were connected as a single entity, and the Indian subcontinent was situated in the southern hemisphere within Gondwana.
The breakup of Gondwana occurred over millions of years, resulting in the drifting apart of the various landmasses. Around 180 million years ago, the Indian subcontinent started to separate from Gondwana and began its northward journey towards its current location.
As the Indian subcontinent moved northward, it underwent various geological processes, including collisions with other landmasses. One of the most significant events in this journey was the collision between the Indian subcontinent and the Eurasian Plate, which led to the formation of the Himalayan mountain range.
The separation from Gondwana and subsequent movement of the Indian subcontinent had profound geological and biological effects. The collision with the Eurasian Plate not only uplifted the Himalayas but also caused intense tectonic activity in the region, resulting in earthquakes and the formation of diverse landscapes.
Furthermore, the Indian subcontinent`s connection with Gondwana explains the presence of similar geological features, fossil records, and shared species between the Indian subcontinent and other Gondwanan regions. For example, the discovery of similar plant and animal fossils in India and Africa provides evidence of their shared geological history.
In conclusion, the Indian subcontinent was originally part of the Gondwana Continent, a massive landmass that existed millions of years ago. The separation from Gondwana and subsequent geological processes shaped the unique characteristics and landscapes we see in the Indian subcontinent today.