Indian Rivers Geography Quiz

The Indus River originates in Tibet, near Lake Mansarovar. It flows westward, entering India in Ladakh, where it forms a picturesque gorge.

The tributaries of the Indus River are the Zaskar, Nubra, and Shyok. They join the Indus in the Kashmir region.

The Indus River flows through Baltistan and Gilgit in Kashmir, finally emerging at the Atock mountains.

The Indus River receives water from the Satluj, Beas, Ravi, Chenab, and Jhelum rivers at Mithankot in Pakistan.

The Indus River is one of the largest rivers in Asia, and its plain stretches for 2900 km. However, only a third of its total length lies within India.

The source of the Ganges River is called Bhagirathi and is fed by the Gangotri Glacier. It merges with the Alaknanda at Devprayag in Uttarakhand.

The Ganga enters the plains from the mountains at Haridwar.

The Yamuna River originates from the Yamunotri Glacier and flows into the Ganga as a right-bank tributary, meeting at Allahabad.

Ghaghara, Gandak, and Kosi are tributaries of the Ganga that rise in the Himalayas. They contribute to annual flooding in the northern plains, but also enrich the soil for agriculture.

The Chambal, Betwa, and Son are tributaries of the Ganga originating in the peninsular uplands. They carry less water than the Himalayan tributaries.

The drainage system in a region is largely determined by the shape of the land.

Rivers originating from the Himalayas, known for their year-round flow.

Rivers originating from the Deccan Plateau, often with seasonal flow.

Himalayan rivers are generally longer and carry more sediment than peninsular rivers.

Himalayan rivers have a longer course and more twists and turns than peninsular rivers.

Examples of Himalayan rivers include the Ganga, Mahanadi, and Brahmaputra.

Examples of peninsular rivers include the Kaveri, Krishna, and Narmada.

Peninsular rivers are typically smaller, carry less sediment, and often have a seasonal flow.

The Brahmaputra River originates in the east of the Mansarovar Lake, near the source of the Indus and Sutlej rivers.

The Brahmaputra River is slightly longer than the Indus River.

The Brahmaputra River flows through the Himalayas, reaching Namcha Barwa (7757 m). It then makes a U-turn and completes the turn.

The Brahmaputra River carries less sediment and has a smaller volume in Tibet due to the cold and dry climate.

The Brahmaputra River carries a large volume of water and sediment in India due to heavy rainfall.

The Western Ghats form a continuous mountain range along the west coast of India. This mountain range acts as a barrier, separating the rivers flowing westward from those flowing eastward.

The Mahanadi, Kaveri, and Krishna rivers originate in the Western Ghats and flow eastwards across the Deccan Plateau. They eventually empty into the Bay of Bengal, making them significant for the eastern coastal regions.

The western slopes of the Western Ghats receive heavy rainfall, resulting in numerous small streams flowing westward. These streams are typically short and seasonal, flowing mainly during the monsoon season.

The Western Ghats act as the main divide for peninsular rivers, directing their flow either eastwards towards the Bay of Bengal or westwards towards the Arabian Sea.

Peninsular rivers originate from the Deccan Plateau and often have a seasonal flow. They are typically smaller than Himalayan rivers and carry less sediment.

The point in West Bengal where the Ganga River flows eastward before splitting into the Bhagirathi and Hooghly rivers, marking the northernmost point of the Ganga Delta.

The Ganga River branches into the Bhagirathi and Hooghly rivers at Farakha, flowing southward through the deltaic plains towards the Bay of Bengal. This is a distributive flow pattern.

The main flow of the Ganga River continues eastward into Bangladesh, where it joins with the Brahmaputra River and empties into the Bay of Bengal. This combined flow forms the Sunderban Delta.

The Ganga River is approximately 2500 km long and its plain, stretching from Ambala to the Sunderbans, is approximately 1800 km long. Despite this length, the plain has a relatively small elevation drop of only 300 meters.

The formation of the Ganga Delta is influenced by several factors including water from left-right tributaries, splitting of the flow into the Bhagirathi – Hooghly rivers in West Bengal, and the joining of the main flow with the Brahmaputra River in Bangladesh.

A geological process where the Earth's crust breaks and shifts, creating valleys or gorges, like the one the Narmada flows through.

The Narmada River originates in the Amarkata Hills in Madhya Pradesh and flows west through a rift valley formed by a geological process called faulting. It forms scenic locations like the Marble Rocks gorge and the Dholakpur falls.

The Narmada's tributaries are short and connect at 90-degree angles. This unusual pattern contributes to its unique landscape.

The Marble Rocks near Jabalpur are a stunning example of the Narmada's beauty, where the river flows through a deep gorge with marble formations.

The Dholakpur Falls are located on the Narmada where the river plunges over steep rocks creating a dramatic waterfall.

The Tapti River rises in the Satpura Ranges in Madhya Pradesh and flows into the Narmada River, but is shorter.

The Tapti River's drainage basin covers parts of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.

The coastal plains between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea are small, and the rivers there are short.

Sabarmati, Mahi, and Periyar are examples of short rivers found in the coastal plains of western India.

The Tapti River is a major river in central India, flowing into the Narmada River.

The Godavari River is the largest river that flows through the Deccan Plateau region of India. It originates in the Western Ghats and flows into the Bay of Bengal.

The Godavari River originates in the Western Ghats, specifically in the Nasik district of Maharashtra.

The Godavari River is approximately 1500 km long. It is known for its large and extensive drainage basin.

The Godavari River flows through parts of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh before reaching the Bay of Bengal.

The Godavari River receives water from many tributaries, including the Purna, Wardha, Pranhita, Manjara, Wainganga, and Penganga.

The Mahanadi River, with a length of 860 kilometers, rises in the highlands of Chhattisgarh and flows through Odisha before reaching the Bay of Bengal.

The Mahanadi Basin encompasses regions of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha, indicating its geographical spread.

The Mahanadi River begins in the highlands of Chhattisgarh, highlighting its origin in a mountainous region.

The Mahanadi River's journey ends at the Bay of Bengal, signifying its ultimate destination.

The Mahanadi River contributes to the livelihood and economy of several states, highlighting its significance.