  The Bengal basin is one of the thickest sedimentary basins and is being
constantly affected by the collision of the Indian plate with the Burma and
Tibetan plates. The northwest part of the basin, our study area, is one of the
least explored areas where the shallowest faulted basement is present.
Controversies exist about the origin of the basement and its role to the
formation of surface landforms. We analyze satellite images, Bouguer anomaly
data, and develop a geodynamic model to explore the relationship between the
faulted basement and surface landforms. Satellite images and gravity anomalies
show a spatial correlation between the surface topography and basement fault
structures. The elevated tracts and the low-lying flood plains are located on
top of the gravity highs (horsts) and lows (grabens). The geodynamic model
suggests that conjugate thrust faults may exist beneath the horsts that push
the horst block upward. Our observations suggest the regional compression and
basement faults have a more considerable influence on the development of
surface landforms such as the uplifted tracts and the low-lying flood plains.
