What is the basis for placing Mahabaleshwar, Lonavala, and Khandala in Sahyadri?

Correct answer: They are places of the Western Ghats region of Maharashtra

Option A is correct because Sahyadri is the traditional Indian name for the Western Ghats, especially the prominent escarpment along western Maharashtra. Mahabaleshwar is a highland source region, while Lonavala and Khandala are hill stations situated on or beside this mountain barrier. The Western Ghats rise sharply from the Konkan coast and influence rainfall, drainage, and local relief. Sikkim belongs to the Himalayan system, the Aravallis are an older range of northwestern India, and Assam’s river islands are depositional features rather than mountain sites. Thus their location in Maharashtra’s Western Ghats is the basis for associating all three with Sahyadri.