The Narmada River, a major west flowing river of central India, originates in which of the following ranges or plateaus?

Introduction / Context:
The Narmada River is one of the most important west flowing rivers of the Indian peninsula. It forms a major rift valley and drains into the Arabian Sea. Knowing the exact place of origin of major rivers is a common requirement in Indian geography, because it helps students visualise the drainage pattern of the country. This question asks about the range from which the Narmada originates.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• The river in question is the Narmada. • It is known to flow westwards across central India into the Arabian Sea. • Options mention Vindhyan Range, Maikal Range, Satpura Range and Mahadeo Range. • We assume standard school level information that the Narmada rises near Amarkantak.

Concept / Approach:
The precise origin of the Narmada is at a small reservoir known as Narmada Kund on the Amarkantak Plateau. Geographically, Amarkantak lies in the Maikal Range, which is a part of the central highlands of India. While the Narmada flows between the Vindhyan Range to the north and the Satpura Range to the south for much of its course, its source region is associated specifically with the Maikal Range. Therefore, we must distinguish between the ranges that flank the river valley and the range that actually hosts the source.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Amarkantak is widely mentioned as the origin point of the Narmada River. Step 2: Understand that Amarkantak is located on a plateau that forms part of the Maikal Range, not directly on the Vindhyan or Satpura Ranges. Step 3: Recognise that although the Narmada valley lies between the Vindhyas and Satpuras, the source at Narmada Kund is geographically linked with the Maikal Range. Step 4: Compare the options and identify Maikal Range near the Amarkantak Plateau as the only option that correctly reflects the source region. Step 5: Therefore choose Maikal Range near the Amarkantak Plateau as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard atlases and physical geography textbooks describe the Narmada as rising from the Amarkantak Hills in the Maikal Range in Madhya Pradesh. They often provide a cross section diagram showing the Narmada flowing west between the Vindhyan scarp to the north and the Satpura Range to the south. This confirms the distinction between its source region and its valley flanks and supports Maikal Range as the correct origin location.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Vindhyan Range forms the northern boundary of the Narmada valley but is not the source area of the river itself. Satpura Range forms the southern boundary of the valley; again, the river does not originate here even though parts of its catchment lie along Satpura slopes. Mahadeo Range is another upland in central India but is associated more with other drainage and does not host the main source of the Narmada.

Common Pitfalls:
A frequent error is to pick Vindhyan or Satpura simply because students remember the phrase Narmada flows between Vindhyas and Satpuras. This describes the valley, not the origin. Another mistake is not associating Amarkantak with the Maikal Range and thinking of it as an isolated plateau. For exam purposes, however, the correct pairing is Narmada origin and Maikal Range.

Final Answer:
The Narmada River originates in the Maikal Range near the Amarkantak Plateau.