The Peninsular Plateau

The Damodar River is associated with the Chotanagpur Plateau. In exams, remember Damodar as an important river of this region.

The Deccan Plateau lies south of the Narmada River. In exams, remember the large plateau south of Narmada as Deccan.

The Satpura Range lies near the northern boundary of the Deccan Plateau. In exams, connect Satpura with the Narmada region.

The Deccan Plateau generally slopes eastward. That is why many rivers flow towards the Bay of Bengal.

The Western Ghats lie on the western edge of the Deccan Plateau. In exams, remember them also as Sahyadri.

The Eastern Ghats lie on the eastern edge of the Deccan Plateau. In exams, remember them towards the Bay of Bengal.

The direct answer is C, Sahyadri. The Western Ghats are a long mountain escarpment running roughly parallel to India’s western coast. Sahyadri is another commonly used name for this same range, especially in Maharashtra and nearby regions. Option A, Himadri, refers to the Great Himalaya, the highest Himalayan range, not the Western Ghats. Option B, Shiwalik, refers to the outermost and youngest Himalayan range, not this peninsular range. Option C is correct because Sahyadri and Western Ghats are two names for the same physical feature. Option D, Zaskar or Zanskar, is a mountain range associated with the Himalayan region, particularly Ladakh, and is not another name for the Western Ghats. The key is to distinguish peninsular mountain ranges from Himalayan ranges. Memory cue: west coast mountains = Western Ghats = Sahyadri.

The Western Ghats are more continuous than the Eastern Ghats. In exams, remember the Eastern Ghats as more broken.

Many rivers cut through the Eastern Ghats, so they appear discontinuous. In exams, remember rivers like Mahanadi and Godavari.

The Western Ghats are generally higher than the Eastern Ghats. In exams, connect height and continuity with the Western Ghats.

The Nilgiri Hills are near the meeting area of the Western and Eastern Ghats. In exams, link Nilgiri with South India.

Anai Mudi is a famous high peak of the Western Ghats. In exams, remember it as a high peak of South India.

The Deccan Trap was formed from ancient volcanic lava flows. In exams, connect trap with lava and black soil.

Black soil is considered suitable for cotton cultivation. In exams, link black soil with Deccan and cotton.

The Narmada flows westward through a rift valley located between the Vindhya and Satpura ranges. This valley was formed by faulting in the Earth’s crust, so it is called a rift valley. A glacial valley is formed by glaciers and is not associated with the Narmada’s course. Exam tip: Remember Narmada and Tapi as the major Indian rivers that flow through rift valleys.

Direct answer: Option A, Dakshin Ganga. Godavari is the largest peninsular river system and is often called the Ganga of the South because of its great length, large basin, and importance in southern India. Option A is correct. Option B is wrong because Godavari is not a desert river. Option C is wrong because it is not an ice-fed Himalayan river. Option D is wrong because it is not merely a small western stream; it flows mainly eastward into the Bay of Bengal. The name is a comparison of importance and size, not a claim that it is physically the same river as the Ganga. Memory cue: Godavari = Dakshin Ganga.

The eastward slope of the Deccan Plateau directs rivers towards the Bay of Bengal. In exams, study slope and river direction together.

These rivers generally flow eastward into the Bay of Bengal. In exams, remember them as east-flowing rivers.

Peninsular rivers mostly depend on rainfall. In exams, do not treat them as as perennial as Himalayan rivers.

Rivers can form waterfalls on hard and uneven rocky surfaces. In exams, link plateaus with waterfalls.

The direct answer is B, the Sharavathi River. Jog Falls is a famous waterfall in Karnataka, where the Sharavathi drops from the Western Ghats region. Reasoning is direct: identify the named waterfall; connect Jog Falls with the Sharavathi; select option B. Option A, Chambal, is associated with the north-central Indian drainage system and ravines, not Jog Falls. Option B is correct because Jog Falls is formed on the Sharavathi River. Option C, Damodar, is an important river of eastern India and is associated with the Chota Nagpur region, not this waterfall. Option D, Luni, is a mainly seasonal river of the arid western region and does not form Jog Falls. Memory cue: Jog Falls—Sharavathi—Karnataka—Western Ghats.

The Meghalaya Plateau is considered a north-eastern extension of the Peninsular Plateau. In exams, link it with Garo, Khasi and Jaintia Hills.

Garo, Khasi and Jaintia Hills are located in Meghalaya. In exams, link them with the north-eastern plateau region.

Karbi Anglong is linked with the plateau extension of north-east India. In exams, remember it along with the Meghalaya Plateau.

The Western Ghats force monsoon winds to rise, causing heavy rainfall. In exams, remember high rainfall on the western side.