Consider the following statements about the Chambal river: 1. It rises near Mhow in the Malwa plateau of Madhya Pradesh. 2. It flows southwards through a gorge. 3. It is known for its flat, fertile floodplains with no ravines. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Option The correct option is 1 only Explanation The Chambal is a major tributary of the Yamuna River and is part of the Peninsular drainage system. It is geologically significant for its northward flow and the creation of distinct geomorphological features known as badland topography. Statement-wise Analysis - Statement 1 is Correct: The Chambal River rises near Mhow in the Vindhyan Range (Janapav Hills) on the Malwa Plateau of Madhya Pradesh. - Statement 2 is Incorrect: The river flows generally northwards (not southwards) from its origin. It flows north through Madhya Pradesh, enters Rajasthan, and then turns northeast to join the Yamuna in Uttar Pradesh. While it does flow through a gorge (notably near the Gandhi Sagar Dam and Kota), the direction of flow is northerly. - Statement 3 is Incorrect: The Chambal Valley is famously characterized by its badland topography, consisting of extensive networks of gullies and ravines (locally known as behands). It is not a flat, ravine-free floodplain; rather, the severe soil erosion has rendered large areas agriculturally unsuitable. Key Takeaway The Chambal River is a northward-flowing peninsular river originating in the Malwa Plateau. It is distinctively known for its badland topography (ravines) caused by extensive gully erosion.

NCERT Class 11 Geography — Chapter 4: Drainage systems

mcqmedium

Consider the following statements about the Chambal river:

It rises near Mhow in the Malwa plateau of Madhya Pradesh.
It flows southwards through a gorge.
It is known for its flat, fertile floodplains with no ravines.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1 only
B2 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Did you get this right?

Solution

Correct Option

The correct option is

1 only

Explanation

The Chambal is a major tributary of the Yamuna River and is part of the Peninsular drainage system. It is geologically significant for its northward flow and the creation of distinct geomorphological features known as badland topography.

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Correct: The Chambal River rises near Mhow in the Vindhyan Range (Janapav Hills) on the Malwa Plateau of Madhya Pradesh.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: The river flows generally northwards (not southwards) from its origin. It flows north through Madhya Pradesh, enters Rajasthan, and then turns northeast to join the Yamuna in Uttar Pradesh. While it does flow through a gorge (notably near the Gandhi Sagar Dam and Kota), the direction of flow is northerly.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: The Chambal Valley is famously characterized by its badland topography, consisting of extensive networks of gullies and ravines (locally known as behands). It is not a flat, ravine-free floodplain; rather, the severe soil erosion has rendered large areas agriculturally unsuitable.

Key Takeaway

The Chambal River is a northward-flowing peninsular river originating in the Malwa Plateau. It is distinctively known for its badland topography (ravines) caused by extensive gully erosion.

Your note

More from Chapter 4: Drainage systems

With reference to the drainage patterns observed in Indian river systems, consider the following statements: 1. The drainage pattern resembling the branches of a tree is known as radial. 2. When rivers discharge their waters from all directions in a lake or depression, the pattern is known as centripetal. 3. The trellis pattern is formed when primary tributaries flow parallel to each other and secondary tributaries join them at right angles. 4. The rivers originating from the Amarkantak range present a good example of centripetal drainage. Which of the statements given above are correct?

medium

Consider the following statements about the Son river: 1. It is a large south bank tributary of the Ganga. 2. It flows through a flat terrain without forming any waterfalls. 3. It joins the Ganga west of Patna. Which of the statements given above are correct?

medium

hard

Which of the following are the right bank tributaries of the Brahmaputra in India? 1. Subansiri 2. Kameng 3. Manas 4. Burhi Dihing Select the correct answer using the code given below:

medium

Which of the following act as the water divide between the Arabian Sea drainage and the Bay of Bengal drainage? 1. Delhi Ridge 2. Aravalis 3. Sahyadris 4. Vindhyas Select the correct answer using the code given below:

medium

Keep practising Chapter 4: Drainage systems

Work through every question from this NCERT chapter.

Browse all NCERT Class 11 Geography chapters

Correct Option

The correct option is

1 only

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Correct: The Chambal River rises near Mhow in the Vindhyan Range (Janapav Hills) on the Malwa Plateau of Madhya Pradesh.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: The river flows generally northwards (not southwards) from its origin. It flows north through Madhya Pradesh, enters Rajasthan, and then turns northeast to join the Yamuna in Uttar Pradesh. While it does flow through a gorge (notably near the Gandhi Sagar Dam and Kota), the direction of flow is northerly.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: The Chambal Valley is famously characterized by its badland topography, consisting of extensive networks of gullies and ravines (locally known as behands). It is not a flat, ravine-free floodplain; rather, the severe soil erosion has rendered large areas agriculturally unsuitable.

Key Takeaway

The Chambal River is a northward-flowing peninsular river originating in the Malwa Plateau. It is distinctively known for its badland topography (ravines) caused by extensive gully erosion.