Introduction / Context:
Many Indian cities grew along rivers because rivers support transport, agriculture and trade. Geography questions often ask which cities are located on particular rivers or which city is an exception and not on a river bank. This question checks awareness of basic Indian geography by asking for the city that is not situated directly on the banks of a major river.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- Options list five Indian cities.
- Some of these cities are known river ports or lie clearly on river banks.
- We assume knowledge of major rivers such as Tapti, Mahanadi and the pattern of settlement around them.
- The goal is to identify the one city that is not directly on a river bank.
Concept / Approach:
The approach is to associate each city with its nearby water body. Surat is an important port city on the banks of the Tapti River. Cuttack stands at the meeting of branches of the Mahanadi River. Mysore is close to the Kaveri system, and many associate it with riverine plains. Bhopal, however, is famous for its lakes, notably the Upper and Lower Lakes, rather than for lying on a major river bank. Therefore, Bhopal is the best answer to the question.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Surat is situated on the banks of the Tapti River in Gujarat.
Step 2: Remember that Cuttack in Odisha lies near the Mahanadi River and its distributaries.
Step 3: Mysore in Karnataka is located near the Kaveri river basin and is associated with that river system.
Step 4: Kanpur is an industrial city on the banks of the Ganga River.
Step 5: Bhopal, in contrast, is best known as a city of lakes, with the Upper Lake and Lower Lake as major water bodies, rather than a river along its main settlement.
Step 6: Therefore, Bhopal is the city that is not situated on the banks of a major river.
Verification / Alternative check:
A quick verification method is to visualise famous images and descriptions of each city. Surat is often described as a riverine port. Cuttack is mentioned as being between rivers and canals. Kanpur is referenced as an industrial city on the Ganga. Bhopal is described as a city of lakes, which is different from a river bank setting. This contrast supports the choice of Bhopal as the exception among the options.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option a is wrong because Surat is clearly on the Tapti River. Option b is incorrect since Cuttack stands at a strategic location on branches of the Mahanadi. Option d is not the best answer because Mysore is part of the Kaveri river system region. Option e is incorrect as Kanpur lies on the Ganga River. Among the given choices, Bhopal is the only major city whose identity is tied to lakes rather than to being situated on a river bank.
Common Pitfalls:
Candidates sometimes confuse being near a river basin with being directly on a river bank or rely only on vague impressions. Another pitfall is not remembering that Bhopal is known for its large man made and natural lakes rather than for a single major river. To avoid such mistakes, learners should link each city with a clear geographic feature: Surat with Tapti, Cuttack with Mahanadi, Kanpur with Ganga and Bhopal with lakes. These mental associations make similar questions easier to handle.
Final Answer:
The Indian city among the options that is not situated on the banks of a major river is Bhopal.
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