River
Son
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Tap a feature for its note.
Overview
The Son rises near Amarkantak and flows north-east to join the Ganga near Patna. It is the largest of the Ganga's south-bank tributaries, along with the Chambal and the Betwa coming from the peninsular side.
The Son valley is also one of the prehistoric sites in the lessons, alongside the Belan valley and Bhimbetka.
Geography and key facts
- Rises near Amarkantak
- Joins the Ganga near Patna
- Largest south-bank Ganga tributary
Why it matters for UPSC
Ganga tributaries from the peninsular side are a common map question.
Note for UPSC
Rises near Amarkantak and joins the Ganga near Patna; the largest south-bank tributary.
Prelims asks about tributaries, the states a river flows through, its basin and the projects on it, so trace the course on the map.
Asked in PYQs
No question in our Prelims bank names Son yet.
Key facts
- Type
- River
- States / UTs on its course
- Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand
- River system
- Peninsular
- Basin
- Ganga
- Extent on map
- 23.7°–25.7°N, 80.6°–84.9°E
From the Map Explorer data; positions are for orientation.
In the lessons
More rivers (same basin first)
Also in the Ganga basin
Other places in Madhya Pradesh & Bihar
Champaran (1917)Freedom-struggle site · Bihar8 PYQMagadha (Rajagriha)Mahajanapada · Bihar4 PYQSanchiBuddhist site · Madhya Pradesh4 PYQAvanti (Ujjayini)Mahajanapada · Madhya Pradesh4 PYQGandhi Sagar DamDam / reservoir · Madhya Pradesh3 PYQSatpura RangeMountain range · Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra2 PYQ