An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v2.c39.288

v2.c39.288

**Malaprabha,** a major s. tributary of the Krishna, its source lying in the Sahyadri spurs, about 13 km w. of Jamboti in Khanapur (15°42′; 74°35′) Taluka, Dt Belgaum, and its basin lying approximately between 15°30′ to 16°12′ and 74°15′ to 76°4′. Its name appropriately describes the mud-carrying character of the stream and its tributaries. Its total length from the source to the confluence with the Krishna is nearly 330 km and within this distance, besides maintaining a general meandering pattern, it has changed its direction several times, often sharply. Its average gradient is about ·9 m per km. But due to the varied geological foundation composing gneisses, quartzites, shales and the Deccan trap over which it flows at different lengths in its course it displays both youthful and mature aspects in its valley forms.