Which of the following sequences present the correct location of the ranges in the Satpura region from West to East ?
- (a)Barwani hills - Mahadeo range - Maikal range
- (b)Mahadeo range - Barwani hills - Maikal range
- (c)Mahadeo range - Maikal range - Barwani hills
- (d)Maikal range - Mahadeo range - Barwani hills
Correct — A, Barwani hills → Mahadeo range → Maikal range. The Satpura system runs roughly west-to-east across Madhya Pradesh: the Barwani (western Nimar) hills lie in the far west near the Narmada's exit, the Mahadeo range (holding Pachmarhi and Dhupgarh, the highest point of both the Satpura and of MP) forms the central block, and the Maikal range curves up at the eastern end around Amarkantak, where the Narmada and Son rise. So the west→east order is Barwani → Mahadeo → Maikal.
- (b)Mahadeo range - Barwani hills - Maikal range — Wrong — the Barwani hills lie to the WEST of the Mahadeo range, not between it and the Maikal range.
- (c)Mahadeo range - Maikal range - Barwani hills — Wrong — this places the Barwani hills (the westernmost block) at the eastern end, reversing their true position.
- (d)Maikal range - Mahadeo range - Barwani hills — Wrong — this is the east→west order (Maikal is the eastern range). The question asks for west→east, which is the exact reverse.
The Satpura is a block (horst) mountain system of peninsular India lying between the Narmada valley to its north and the Tapti valley to its south, trending broadly west–east across Madhya Pradesh. Its sub-ranges, taken west to east, are the western Barwani/Nimar hills, the central Mahadeo Hills, and the eastern Maikal range.
The question rewards knowing the relative position, not just the names. Fix the two anchors — Barwani in the far west near the Narmada's exit into Gujarat, and Maikal in the far east at Amarkantak — and the Mahadeo range sits in the middle.
- The Satpura Range lies between the Narmada (north) and the Tapti (south)
- Dhupgarh (~1,350 m) in the Mahadeo Hills near Pachmarhi is the highest point of the Satpura and of Madhya Pradesh
- The Maikal range forms the eastern end of the Satpura, around the Amarkantak plateau where the Narmada and Son rise
- West-to-east order of the Satpura ranges: Barwani hills → Mahadeo range → Maikal range
- Confusing the Vindhya Range (north of the Narmada) with the Satpura (south of it)
- Reversing west→east and east→west when a sequence is asked
MPPSC and UPSC both test the relative location/sequence of Indian ranges — UPSC (2004) asked the north-to-south order of the Mahadeo Hills, Sahyadri and Satpura.
Consider the following statements: 1. Mahadeo Hills 2. Sahyadri Parvat 3. Satpura Range. What is the correct sequence of the above from the north to the south?
- (a) 1, 2, 3
- (b) 2, 1, 3
- (c) 1, 3, 2
- (d) 2, 3, 1
Answer(c) 1, 3, 2
Same skill — arranging the Satpura/Mahadeo ranges of central India by their geographic position (here north-to-south instead of west-to-east).
Consider the following statements: 1. Amarkantak Hills are at the confluence of Vindhya and Sahyadri Ranges. 2. Biligirirangan Hills constitute the easternmost part of Satpura Range. 3. Seshachalam Hills constitute the southernmost part of Western Ghats. How many of the statements given above are correct?
- (a) Only one
- (b) Only two
- (c) All three
- (d) None
Answer(d) None
Tests the extent and boundaries of the Satpura Range and the Amarkantak node — the same physiographic knowledge behind the west-to-east ordering.
- practice — not a real PYQ
Which is the highest peak of the Satpura Range (and of Madhya Pradesh)?
- (a)Dhupgarh
- (b)Janapav
- (c)Amarkantak
- (d)Panchmarhi town
Answer(a) Dhupgarh (~1,350 m) in the Mahadeo Hills near Pachmarhi — the highest point of the Satpura and of MP.
- practice — not a real PYQ
The Satpura Range lies between which two rivers?
- (a)Narmada and Tapti
- (b)Narmada and Son
- (c)Chambal and Betwa
- (d)Tapti and Godavari
Answer(a) Narmada (to its north) and Tapti (to its south) — the Satpura is the block mountain separating the two rift valleys.