Question map
Which of the following three rivers of the peninsula India have the Amarkantak region as their source ?
Explanation
The Amarkantak Plateau in the Maikal Hills of central India serves as a significant hydrological hub, exhibiting a radial drainage pattern [t8]. The Narmada River, a major west-flowing river, originates from the western flank of this plateau [c2][c4]. The Son River, a prominent south-bank tributary of the Ganga, also rises from the Amarkantak region, flowing north-eastward [c1][t4]. Additionally, the Mahanadi River is traditionally associated with the Amarkantak watershed, as its headwaters originate in the nearby highlands of Chhattisgarh, often grouped with the Amarkantak drainage system in geographical contexts [t3][t6]. Other options are incorrect because the Godavari and Krishna originate in the Western Ghats (Nasik and Mahabaleshwar respectively), the Cauvery rises in the Brahmagiri hills [c4], and rivers like the Chambal and Betwa originate from the Malwa Plateau [t6][t10].
Sources
- [1] https://ncert.nic.in/textbook/pdf/kegy103.pdf
- [2] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > Narmada River > p. 20
- [3] INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Drainage System > River Systems of the Peninsular Drainage > p. 24
- [4] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > The Son River > p. 16