Understanding Godavari River Tributaries

The question asks to identify which of the given options is a tributary of the Godavari river. The Godavari is the second-longest river in India, after the Ganga, and is often called the 'Dakshin Ganga' or 'South Ganga'. It flows east through the Deccan Plateau, draining into the Bay of Bengal. Understanding its tributaries is key to studying the river system.

Let's examine each option:

• Tawa: The Tawa River is a tributary of the Narmada River. The Narmada River flows west and drains into the Arabian Sea, located in a different river basin than the Godavari. Therefore, Tawa is not a tributary of the Godavari.
• Banas: The Banas River is a tributary of the Chambal River, which itself is a tributary of the Yamuna River. The Yamuna River is a major tributary of the Ganga River. This river system is located in northern India, far from the Godavari basin. Therefore, Banas is not a tributary of the Godavari.
• Indravati: The Indravati River is a major tributary of the Godavari River. It originates in the Eastern Ghats of Odisha and flows through Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Telangana before joining the Godavari River. The Indravati is one of the most important tributaries, contributing significantly to the Godavari's flow, especially during the monsoon season.
• Chambal: The Chambal River is a major tributary of the Yamuna River, part of the Ganga river system in northern India. As mentioned before, this is distinct from the Godavari basin in peninsular India. Therefore, Chambal is not a tributary of the Godavari.

Based on the analysis of each option, the Indravati River is indeed a tributary of the Godavari River.

Major Tributaries of the Godavari River

The Godavari River has several important tributaries. They can be broadly classified based on whether they join from the left or right bank.

As you can see in the table, Indravati is listed among the major left bank tributaries of the Godavari.

Conclusion on the Godavari Tributary

Comparing the options provided with the known tributaries of the Godavari River, it is clear that Indravati is a significant tributary. The other options, Tawa, Banas, and Chambal, are tributaries of different major river systems in India (Narmada and Ganga/Yamuna basin).

Therefore, the correct answer is Indravati.

Revision Table: Godavari Tributaries

Additional Information: Indian River Systems

Understanding the major river systems and their tributaries is fundamental to Indian geography. India's rivers are broadly categorized into:

• Himalayan Rivers: Originating from the Himalayas (e.g., Ganga, Indus, Brahmaputra). These are perennial.
• Peninsular Rivers: Originating in the Peninsular Plateau (e.g., Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery, Narmada, Tapti). These are mostly rain-fed.

The Godavari is a key peninsular river. Its basin covers parts of Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Puducherry. Knowing the major rivers and their networks helps in understanding regional geography, agriculture, and water resources.