The Chambal, the principal tributary of the Yamuna, is the most important river of the Malwa Plateau. It rises from the western slopes of Janapao hill (854 meters) in
Indore District,
Madhya Pradesh. It is also known as Charmanwati, or Charmawati.
The river flows through Dhar District for 17 km, separating the Sagar projection in the east. It further flows into
Ujjain,
Ratlam and
Mandsaur districts while forming the northern boundary of
Gwalior Division. The river enters a deep gorge in Rajasthan at Chourasigarh, about 96 km upstream of
Kota and then flows north-east for 226 km in Rajasthan, forming the boundary between Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan for about 252 km. Then the river forms the boundary between Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh for about 117 km, enters Uttar Pradesh near Charak Nagar village and flows for about 40 km before joining river Yamuna.
