Which of the following rivers divides the Indian peninsula into the 'Malwa' and 'Deccan Plateau'?

Correct option is C

The Narmada River is considered the geographical boundary between the Malwa Plateau (to the north) and the Deccan Plateau (to the south).

• It flows westward from Amarkantak (Madhya Pradesh) into the Arabian Sea.
• It is one of the few rivers in India that flows westward, cutting across the Vindhya and Satpura ranges.
• The Vindhya Range lies north of Narmada, forming the Malwa Plateau, and the Satpura Range lies south, forming the Deccan Plateau.

Thus, the Narmada River serves as the natural divide between North and South India in terms of physiography.

Information Booster:

1. Godavari (Incorrect)

   • Flows through Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, but does not divide Malwa and Deccan Plateau.

2. Mahanadi (Incorrect)

   • Flows eastward through Chhattisgarh and Odisha, mainly draining the Chhota Nagpur Plateau.

3. Mahi (Incorrect)

   • Originates in Madhya Pradesh and flows through Rajasthan and Gujarat, but does not form a major regional divide.