Which Indian city is located on the banks of the river Mula–Mutha?

Introduction / Context:
Many Indian cities have developed along river banks, and exam questions often test the association between a specific river and the city it flows through. Knowing these pairs helps in understanding urban geography and hydrology. The Mula and Mutha rivers are two small rivers in western India that join together near a major city, and this combined stream is often referred to as the Mula Mutha river. The question here asks for the city located on their banks.

Given Data / Assumptions:

The river named is Mula Mutha, formed by the confluence of Mula and Mutha.

The question asks which city stands on its banks.

Options are Surat, Ahmedabad, Nagpur and Pune.

We assume present day river courses and city locations.

Concept / Approach:
The concept is simple city river association. Pune, a major city in the state of Maharashtra, is situated on the banks of the Mula and Mutha rivers, which join within the city limits. Surat is on the Tapi river, Ahmedabad is mainly associated with the Sabarmati, and Nagpur is near the Nag river and other small streams. By recalling this pattern, one can easily choose the correct city. The approach is therefore to remember that Pune is the city on the Mula Mutha river system.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Pune is located in western Maharashtra and is crossed by the Mula and Mutha rivers.Step 2: Understand that the combined flow of these rivers downstream is often called the Mula Mutha.Step 3: Match this to the options, noting that Surat lies on the Tapi, Ahmedabad on the Sabarmati and Nagpur on smaller local rivers.Step 4: Select Pune as the city located on the banks of the Mula Mutha river.

Verification / Alternative check:
A simple look at a map of Maharashtra or a city map of Pune will show the Mula and Mutha rivers converging near the city centre. Environmental news about water pollution or flooding in Pune frequently mention the Mula Mutha, reinforcing the link between the river and the city. In contrast, any map of Surat or Ahmedabad shows different rivers, confirming that they are not associated with the Mula Mutha system.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Surat is located on the banks of the Tapi river near its mouth on the Arabian Sea, not on the Mula Mutha.
Ahmedabad lies on the Sabarmati river in Gujarat and is known for the Sabarmati riverfront development, not for the Mula Mutha.
Nagpur is in central India and is associated with rivers like the Nag and Pili, but not the Mula Mutha.
Therefore, these options do not match the river named in the question.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes guess based on familiarity with city names and may pick any large city in western India without recalling the specific river connection. Others may only remember that Pune is in Maharashtra and forget its river geography. To avoid such mistakes, it is useful to memorise at least one main river for each major city, for example: Delhi on the Yamuna, Kolkata on the Hooghly and Pune on the Mula and Mutha Rivers.

Final Answer:
The city located on the banks of the river Mula Mutha is Pune.