Table of Contents
The Indian drainage system is an amalgamation of a large number of small and big rivers which stands out as the outcome of the evolutionary process of the three major physiographic units and the nature and characteristics of precipitation. India is the land of a large number of rivers—both major and minor. This article will specifically deal with the major rivers and their tributaries. The Indian river system is one of the most important scoring sections for UPSC CSE. In this article, we will discuss the major rivers and their tributaries, and compare 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 mountains covered with
Glaciers |
Peninsular plateau and central highland |
2. | Nature of flow | Perennial; receive water from the glacier
and rainfall |
Seasonal; dependent on monsoon
Rainfall |
3. | Type of drainage | Antecedent and consequent leading to
the dendritic pattern in plains |
Superimposed, 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 profiles, and have
almost reached their base levels |