Ghats Junction: Where Eastern and Western Meet

The question asks us to identify the location where the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats, two major mountain ranges of peninsular India, converge.

Understanding the Ghats

• Western Ghats: This is a continuous mountain range running parallel to the western coast of the Indian peninsula. It stretches from Gujarat in the north to Kanyakumari in the south.
• Eastern Ghats: This is a discontinuous and broken chain of mountains running roughly parallel to the eastern coast of India. It is broken by major rivers like Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri.

The Meeting Point

The Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats join each other in the region of the Nilgiri hills. These hills form a mountain knot or junction point, linking the two ranges.

Analyzing the Options

• Kaimur ranges: These are part of the Vindhyan mountain system and are located to the north of the Narmada river, not where the Eastern and Western Ghats meet.
• Vindhyan ranges: Located in central India, the Vindhyan ranges run east-west and are distinct from the North-South running Ghats. They do not form the meeting point.
• Nilgiri hills: Located in Tamil Nadu, these hills serve as the actual meeting point and bridge between the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats. They are a vital geographical feature connecting these two systems.
• Rajmahal hills: These hills are located in Jharkhand and are part of the northeastern plateau region, separate from the meeting point of the Ghats.

Therefore, the Nilgiri hills are the correct location where the Eastern and Western Ghats meet.