Which rivers have contributed to the formation of the Northwestern Plains of India?

The correct option is Satluj, Beas, and Ravi.

Step-by-Step Explanation:

1. Understanding the Geography of the Indian Plains:
The Great Plains of India (also known as the Indo-Gangetic-Brahmaputra Plains) are divided into distinct regional divisions based on their geographical location and the river systems that formed them. These divisions include the Rajasthan Plains, the Punjab-Haryana Plains (Northwestern Plains), the Ganga Plains, and the Brahmaputra Valley.

2. Identifying the Northwestern Plains:
The Northwestern Plains of India primarily cover the states of Punjab and Haryana, along with parts of Rajasthan. This region is geographically defined by the Indus River system and its tributaries, lying to the west and northwest of the Ganga basin.

3. Analyzing the River Systems:
The rivers Satluj, Beas, and Ravi are major eastern tributaries of the Indus River. Originating in the Himalayas, these rivers flow through Himachal Pradesh and Punjab before entering Pakistan. The depositional work (alluvium deposits) carried out by these three rivers over millions of years has directly formed the fertile, flat alluvial plains of the Punjab-Haryana region, which constitute the Northwestern Plains of India.

4. Why Other Options are Incorrect:
- Krishna, Godavari, and Kaveri: These are major peninsular rivers of Southern India and form the coastal plains and deltaic regions of the south, not the northern plains.
- Ganga, Yamuna, and Brahmaputra: The Ganga and Yamuna rivers form the Northern and Eastern Plains (Gangetic Plains), while the Brahmaputra forms the Assam Valley (Northeastern Plains).
- Narmada, Tapti, and Mahanadi: Narmada and Tapti are west-flowing rivers of Central India, and Mahanadi is an east-flowing river in East-Central India. They are associated with the Peninsular Plateau region rather than the Northwestern Plains.