The correct option is (c) 1 and 3 only.
Explanation
The Eastern Ghats mark the eastern edge of the Deccan Plateau. Unlike the Western Ghats, they are a discontinuous range of mountains running parallel to the eastern coast of India.- Statement 1 is Correct: The Eastern Ghats stretch from the Mahanadi Valley in the north to the Nilgiris in the south. At the Nilgiri Hills, the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats converge.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Eastern Ghats are discontinuous and irregular. Unlike the Western Ghats, which are continuous and can be crossed only through passes, the Eastern Ghats are broken at several places.
- Statement 3 is Correct: The discontinuity of the Eastern Ghats is primarily due to erosion by major rivers such as the Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri. These rivers originate in the Western Ghats or the plateau, flow eastward across the peninsula, dissect the Eastern Ghats, and drain into the Bay of Bengal.
Key Takeaway: The Eastern Ghats are highly eroded, discontinuous hills stretching from the Mahanadi Valley to the Nilgiris, dissected by major east-flowing peninsular rivers.