Question map
Which one of the following is the northernmost river basin of the Deccan Plateau ?
Explanation
The Deccan Plateau is geographically bounded to the north by the Satpura and Vindhya ranges [3]. The Narmada river flows through a rift valley between these two ranges, specifically between the Vindhyas to the north and the Satpuras to the south. While the Chambal and Mahi rivers are part of the broader Peninsular drainage system, the Chambal is a tributary of the Yamuna and flows northwards away from the plateau into the Ganga-Yamuna basin [2]. The Narmada is traditionally considered the northern boundary of the Deccan Plateau proper [3]. Among the options provided, the Narmada basin represents the northernmost major river basin directly associated with the structural limits of the Deccan Plateau, as the Tapti (Tapi) flows parallel to it but further south [3].
Sources
- [3] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > Narmada River > p. 20
- [2] CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Drainage > The Tapi Basin > p. 21