On the banks of which river is the city of Hyderabad situated?

Introduction / Context:
This question is part of Indian urban and river geography. Many major cities in India are located on the banks of important rivers, and examination questions often ask candidates to identify the river for a given city. Here, Hyderabad, the capital of Telangana, is in focus, and we must recall the river that flows through it.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• The city name given is Hyderabad.
• We must identify the river on whose banks Hyderabad is situated.
• The options are Krishna, Kaveri, Musi, and Cooum.
• We assume standard geographic descriptions of Indian cities and rivers.

Concept / Approach:
Hyderabad is located on the banks of the Musi River, a tributary of the Krishna. Although the larger Krishna River basin is regionally important, the city itself grew around the Musi, which flows through Hyderabad and has historically shaped its water systems and flood patterns. Kaveri is a river of southern Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, and the Cooum is associated with Chennai. Therefore, the river name that directly matches Hyderabad is Musi.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Hyderabad lies in the Deccan region and is associated with the Musi River. Step 2: Remember that Musi passes through the city, and older parts of Hyderabad lie along its banks. Step 3: Note that Krishna is the major parent river of the basin, but not the one flowing directly through the city centre. Step 4: Recognise that Kaveri flows through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, while Cooum is linked to Chennai in Tamil Nadu. Step 5: Select Musi as the correct answer, as it specifically flows through Hyderabad.

Verification / Alternative check:
City maps and descriptions of Hyderabad mention bridges, flood events, and water management related to the Musi River. The famous Musi floods in history further confirm this association. Reference books on Indian rivers also describe the Musi as a tributary of the Krishna and identify Hyderabad as located on its banks. Krishna, Kaveri, and Cooum are associated with other cities and regions, which reinforces that Musi is the correct river here.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Krishna: Although Hyderabad lies in the Krishna River basin, the city does not sit directly on the banks of the Krishna itself.
Kaveri: This river flows mainly through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and does not pass through Hyderabad.
Cooum: A small river flowing through Chennai in Tamil Nadu, unrelated to Hyderabad.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates may see Krishna in the options and select it because they know Hyderabad is in the Krishna basin, forgetting that the question is asking about the river directly passing through the city. Another mistake is to mix up lesser known rivers like Musi and Cooum simply based on unfamiliar names. To avoid this, one should learn city river pairs, such as Hyderabad with Musi, Chennai with Cooum, and Delhi with Yamuna.

Final Answer:
The correct choice is Musi, as Hyderabad is situated on the banks of the Musi River.