RAS question
Which river of Rajasthan flows through the maximum number of districts?
Correct answer: (A) Banas.
Banas is the Rajasthan river that flows through the maximum number of districts: Rajsamand, Bhilwara, Ajmer, Tonk, Sawai Madhopur and Karauli.
Explanation
Banas passes through the maximum number of Rajasthan districts, namely Rajsamand, Bhilwara, Ajmer, Tonk, Sawai Madhopur and Karauli. The official Banas River Basin atlas states that the Banas originates in the Khamnor Hills of the Aravali Range near Kumbhalgarh in Rajsamand district, flows for its entire length within Rajasthan, moves north-east through the Mewar region, and meets the Chambal near Rameshwar in Khandar block of Sawai Madhopur district. District coverage, not just river length or basin size, is the deciding criterion for identifying Banas as the river with the widest district-wise route in Rajasthan.
Why the other options are wrong
- (B) Chambal flows through fewer Rajasthan districts, while Banas covers six districts.
- (C) Mahi is limited to three districts, below the six-district coverage named for Banas.
- (D) Luni has less district-wise coverage in Rajasthan than Banas, which spans six Rajasthan districts.
Concept
Rajasthan drainage geography requires comparing rivers by district-wise route rather than by fame or length. River systems connect physical geography with districts, regions and administrative mapping in RAS preparation.