UPSC Prelims 2009 Q43: Geography – Indian Rivers & Water Resources
At
which one of the following places do two important rivers of India originate; while one of them
flows towards north and merges with another important river flowing towards Bay of Bengal, the
other one flows towards Arabian Sea ?
- (a) Amarkantak
- (b) Badrinath
- (c) Mahabaleshwar
- (d) Nasik
Answer: (a) Amarkantak
Explanation
A place where two rivers originate, flowing to different seas
This location is notable for giving rise to two rivers with very different destinies — one toward the Bay of Bengal, the other toward the Arabian Sea.
| Option | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Amarkantak | Correct | Amarkantak is the source of both the Narmada (flowing west to the Arabian Sea) and the Son (flowing north-east, eventually merging with the Ganga, which flows to the Bay of Bengal) |
| (b) Badrinath | Incorrect | Associated with the Alaknanda/Ganga system, not this specific dual-river origin |
| (c) Mahabaleshwar | Incorrect | Known as the source of the Krishna river, not this specific dual-direction pairing |
| (d) Nasik | Incorrect | Known for the Godavari's source, not this specific dual-river scenario |
Amarkantak facts:
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Rivers originating here | Narmada (west, Arabian Sea) and Son (north-east, joins Ganga to Bay of Bengal) |
| Significance | A rare point of dual river origin toward opposite coasts |
Answer: (a) Amarkantak.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Amarkantak is the source of both the Narmada (to the Arabian Sea) and the Son (eventually to the Bay of Bengal via the Ganga).
- (b) Incorrect. Badrinath is linked to the Ganga system, not this specific dual-river origin.
- (c) Incorrect. Mahabaleshwar is the Krishna river's source, not this pairing.
- (d) Incorrect. Nasik is linked to the Godavari's source, not this specific scenario.
Key point
Amarkantak is the source of both the Narmada (flowing west to the Arabian Sea) and the Son (flowing north-east, joining the Ganga which flows to the Bay of Bengal) — a rare dual-river-origin point.
Remember
Amarkantak: the source of the Narmada (to the Arabian Sea) and the Son (to the Bay of Bengal via the Ganga).
Common mistakes
- Confusing Amarkantak's dual-river origin with single-river source points like Mahabaleshwar (Krishna) or Nasik (Godavari).
- Not knowing the Son river's eventual merger with the Ganga.
- Mixing up different river-origin locations across central India.
Exam tip
Amarkantak = source of BOTH the Narmada (Arabian Sea) and the Son (eventually Bay of Bengal via Ganga). A unique dual-origin geography fact.
Sources
- NCERT Class XI Geography — India: Physical Environment — Drainage System
- Central Water Commission and National Remote Sensing Centre — India-WRIS: River Basin Atlas (Narmada and Ganga basins: Son)