The Narmada river flows to the west, while most other large peninsular rivers flow to the east. Why? 1. It occupies a linear rift valley. 2. It flows between the Vindhyas and the Satpuras. 3. The land slopes to the west from Central India. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

The Narmada river flows westward primarily because it occupies a linear rift valley formed due to faulting. While most large peninsular rivers flow eastward following the general slope of the Indian plateau from west to east, the Narmada and Tapi rivers are exceptions that flow through structural troughs [1]. Statement 1 is correct as the river's course is controlled by a rift system. Statement 2 is a correct geographical fact—the Narmada flows between the Vindhyan and Satpura ranges [1]—but this is a description of its location rather than the causal reason for its westward flow. Statement 3 is incorrect because the general land slope of the peninsular plateau is toward the east, not the west. Therefore, only the first statement provides the structural reason for the river's unique direction.

Sources

1. [1] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > Narmada River > p. 20