A History of South India from Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar c7.31

c7.31

The Narmada (Namnadios in the Periplus and Namados to Ptolemy) is one of the seven sacred rivers of India and rises on the summit of the plateau of Amarkantak at the north-eastern apex of the Satpura range in Rewah in Central India. It runs a course of 801 miles before entering the Gulf of Cambay by a wide estuary 17 miles across below Broach, the Bharukaccha of ancient fame. The river is estimated to drain an area of about 36,000 square miles lying principally to the south of it and comprising the northern portion of the Satpura plateau. Its rocky bed and liability to rapid floods render the river useless for navigation, and its high banks are an obstacle to irrigation. It can be used by small craft up to Broach, 30 miles from its mouth, though the influence of the tide reaches up to 55 miles.