Major tributaries of the river Narmada are Banjar, Heran, Kolar, Sukta, Tawa, Tendoni, Beda, Sher, Shakkar, Mān, Jobat and Goi, rivers.
The word came into English from Hindustani (Urdu and Hindi), and originates from the words "kheer aur shakkar", literally meaning "rice pudding and sugar", probably from the resemblance of its smooth and rough stripes to the smooth texture of milk and the bumpy texture of sugar.