Table of Contents
Indian drainage system consists of a large number of small and big rivers. It is the outcome of the evolutionary process of the three major physiographic units and the nature and characteristics of precipitation.
India is bestowed with a large number of rivers—both major and minor. This article will specifically deal with the major rivers and their tributaries.
Indian river system is one of the most important and scoring section for UPSC CSE. In this article, we will discuss about the major rivers and their tributaries, and comparison between Himalayan and Peninsular rivers.
Rivers and their Tributaries
| Rivers | Tributaries |
| Indus | Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej |
| Ganga | Yamuna, Chambal, Son, Damodar, Mahakali, Ghagra, Ramganga, Kosi, Gandak. |
| Yamuna | Tons, Hindon, Chambal, Sindh, Betwa, Ken. |
| Chambal | Banas, Sind, Betwa, Ken. |
| Son | Johilla, Gopad, Rihand, Kanhar, North Koel. |
| Narmada | Amaravati, Bhukhi, Tawa, Banger |
| Brahmaputra | Subansiri, Kameng, Belsire, Dhansiri, Manas, Sankosh, Tista, Dibru, Dihing, Kalang, Burhi, Dikhu. |
| Mahanadi | Ib,Hasdo,Sheonath, Sondur, Pairi, Ong, Tel. |
| Godavari | Penganga, Wardha, Weinganga, Indravati, Sabari, Manjira. |
| Krishna | Koyna, Tungabhadra, Ghatprabha, Malprabha, Bhima, Musi,Munneru. |
| Kaveri | Harangi, Hemavati, Kabini, Bhavani, Arkavathy, Lakshmana Tirtha, Noyyal and Arkavati. |
Comparison between the Himalayan and the Peninsular River
| Sl. No. | Aspects | Himalayan River | Peninsular River |
| 1. | Place of origin | Himalayan mountain covered with
Glaciers |
Peninsular plateau and central highland |
| 2. | Nature of flow | Perennial; receive water from glacier
and rainfall |
Seasonal; dependent on monsoon
Rainfall |
| 3. | Type of drainage | Antecedent and consequent leading to
dendritic pattern in plains |
Super imposed, rejuvenated resulting
in trellis, radial and rectangular patterns |
| 4. | Nature of river | Long course, flowing through the
rugged mountains experiencing headward erosion and river capturing; In plains meandering and shifting of Course |
Smaller, fixed course with well-adjusted
valleys |
| 5. | Catchment area | Very large basins | Relatively smaller basin |
| 6. | Age of the river | Young and youthful, active and
deepening in the valleys |
Old rivers with graded profile, and have
almost reached their base levels |
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