Among the following major rivers of Peninsular India, which one has the largest length and drainage basin within the peninsula and is therefore regarded as the largest river of Peninsular India?

Introduction / Context:
Indian geography often asks about important rivers, their origins, and their relative sizes. The Peninsular rivers differ from the Himalayan rivers in origin, flow pattern, and length. This question tests whether you know which river is considered the largest river of Peninsular India in terms of length and basin area, which is a popular fact in many exam syllabi.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The focus is only on Peninsular India, not on the whole of India.
• Four major rivers are listed: Narmada, Godavari, Mahanadi, and Cauvery.
• We assume standard geographical data regarding river lengths and drainage basins.

Concept / Approach:
The Godavari river is often called the Dakshin Ganga or Ganga of the South. It has the largest length and drainage basin among Peninsular rivers, rising in the Western Ghats in Maharashtra and flowing eastwards across the Deccan plateau to the Bay of Bengal. While Narmada, Mahanadi, and Cauvery are also important Peninsular rivers, their total lengths and basin sizes are smaller compared to the Godavari river.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the Ganga and Brahmaputra are Himalayan rivers, so they are not part of this Peninsular list.Step 2: Among Peninsular rivers, the Godavari has the longest course and the largest drainage basin.Step 3: Narmada flows westward into the Arabian Sea and is shorter than the Godavari.Step 4: Mahanadi and Cauvery are also significant but are smaller in total length and basin area than the Godavari.Step 5: Therefore, the largest river of Peninsular India among the given options is the Godavari.

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard geography textbooks and exam preparation books often highlight the Godavari as the largest Peninsular river and refer to it as the Ganga of the South. They also provide comparative tables where the length and basin area of Godavari exceed those of other Peninsular rivers listed in the options. This confirms the correctness of the answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Narmada: It is a major west flowing river but is shorter than the Godavari and does not have the largest basin among Peninsular rivers.
Mahanadi: It flows through central India but its overall length and basin area are smaller than those of the Godavari.
Cauvery: A very important river for southern states, especially Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, but still smaller than the Godavari in both length and basin size.

Common Pitfalls:
Some students confuse the largest river of Peninsular India with the most famous or the most politically discussed river. Others mix up Himalayan and Peninsular rivers. A useful memory aid is the nickname Dakshin Ganga for the Godavari, which signals its prominence among southern rivers in both physical size and cultural importance.

Final Answer:
The Godavari river is the largest river of Peninsular India.