DRAINAGE SYSTEM OF INDIA
- The drainage system of India is mainly divided into Himalayan rivers and Peninsular rivers.
- Evolution of Himalayan Drainage System
- Widely accepted theory regarding the evolution of Himalayan drainage proposes the existence of a single river all along the entire stretch of Himalayas to the south of Shivaliks flowing from East to West called Indobrahma or Shivalik River.
- It drained into the Gulf of Sindh.
- The earlier drainage system was disturbed by three main events:
- (a) Higher upliftment of the western Himalayas.
- (b) Rising of Potwar plateau and Delhi ridge.
- (c) Downthursting of Malda gap or Garo-Rajmahal gap.
- This divided the entire river into Indus and its tributaries, Ganga and its tributaries, and the Brahmaputra and its tributaries.
- Peninsular Drainage System
- The peninsular drainage system is influenced by three major events:
- (a) Submergence of the western side of the western ghats which disturbed the earlier symmetrical pattern of peninsular drainage and shortened the west-flowing rivers.
- (b) Upliftment of the Himalayas which caused the northern part of the Vindhyas to tilt more towards the north and also the deepening of the rift valley of Narmada and Tapi.
- (c) Slight tilting of the peninsular block from northwest to southeast direction, causing the slope towards the Bay of Bengal drainage.
- Difference between Himalayan and Peninsular Drainage
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Himalayan Drainage Peninsular Drainage The source of the drainage is glaciers. The source of the drainage is rainfall. The Himalayan drainage is perennial. The Peninsular Rivers are seasonal. The Himalayan rivers are dominated by the youth stage. The Peninsular rivers are dominated by mature and old stages. They form V-shaped valleys. They formed U-shaped valleys. They have high meandering. (High meandering due to high sediments and flowing through plain regions.) These have low meandering. (Low meandering due to lower sediments and flowing through plateau region.) These have larger river basins and a catchment area. These have smaller river basins and a catchment area. The deltas of the Himalayan rivers are very large. The deltas present are small. Some rivers just have estuaries.
Himalayan rivers are more navigable in the plains. These are less navigable.
The Himalayan drainage has many antecedent rivers. In Peninsular drainage, there are only consequent rivers.
The drainage pattern is mainly dendritic. The drainage pattern is mainly rectangular or trellis.
- Examples of antecedent rivers are Indus, Brahmaputra, Sutlej, Ghagra, Gandak, and Kosi. Ganga and Yamuna are the consequent rivers.
DRAINAGE PATTERNS
- The flow characteristic of a river is called a drainage pattern.
- (a) Dendritic Pattern
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- It appears like the branches of a tree or a leaf.
- This is characterized by the lack of structural control.
- This is found in the Himalayan rivers. For example, the Ganga drainage pattern.
- (b) Rectangular Pattern
- The river takes sharp turns.
- It is found in the plateau regions with high structural control.
- This is found in the case of the peninsular rivers. For example, the River Mahanadi, Godavari, Cauvery, etc. follows this drainage pattern.
- (c) Trellis pattern
- The main river flows in the rift valley and tributaries join at the right angle.
- This is possible when the river flows in the rift valley. For example, the Narmada and Tapi Rivers follow this drainage pattern.
- (d) Radial Pattern
- In this, the different rivers originate from the raised platform or mountain and flow in various directions.
- For example, from Amarkantak we have the Narmada, Son, and Hasdeo rivers originate.
- (e) Parallel Drainage
- The rivers flow parallel to each other and drain directly into the sea.
- For example, West flowing rivers of the western ghats.
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MAPPING OF THE RIVERS
- (a) Indus River System
- Indus flows through three countries namely China, Pakistan, and India.
- It originates near Mansarovar Lake.
- The right bank tributaries are Shyok, Gilgit, and Kabul.
- The left bank tributaries are Jhelum, Chenab, Sutlej, Ravi, and Beas.
- Nubra is the tributary of River Shyok. It comes from the Siachen glacier.
- (b) Jhelum
- Jhelum originates from Verinag.
- It flows through the Jhelum River valley called Kashmir Valley.
- It passes through Wular Lake. It is the largest freshwater lake in India.
- Jhelum River meanders while it is flowing through Kashmir. It is the only river that meanders in the youth stage.
- In Pakistan, Jhelum merges with Chenab.
- (c) Chenab
- It originates near Bara Lacha La.
- Chenab formed after the confluence of the Chandra and Bhaga rivers.
- Chandra originates from the Chandra tal.
- Bhaga originates from the Suraj tal.
- Barashigri glacier feeds the Chander tal.
- (d) Ravi
- It originates from the Kullu Hills.
- In ancient times it was called the Parushni River.
- It forms the natural boundary between India and Pakistan along the northern part of Punjab.
- (e) Beas
- It originates from the Rohtang.
- It lies completely inside India.
- It merges with Sutlej in Punjab.
- (f) Sutlej
- It originates from Lake Rakas. Its water is salty.
- Sutlej and Beas merge in Harikke.
THE TOPIC FOR THE NEXT CLASS: DRAINAGE SYSTEM OF INDIA (CONTINUED)
Sure! Here are 40 multiple-choice questions (with more than one correct option) based on the class notes:
1. The drainage system of India is primarily divided into:
a) Himalayan rivers
b) Peninsular rivers
c) Coastal rivers
d) Desert rivers
Answer: a) Himalayan rivers, b) Peninsular rivers
2. Which theory explains the evolution of the Himalayan drainage system?
a) Indobrahma Theory
b) Shivalik Theory
c) Ganga-Brahmaputra Theory
d) Indus-Ganga Theory
Answer: a) Indobrahma Theory
3. The earlier drainage system was disturbed by which events?
a) Higher upliftment of the western Himalayas
b) Rising of Potwar plateau and Delhi ridge
c) Downthursting of Malda gap or Garo-Rajmahal gap
d) Submergence of the western side of the western ghats
Answer: a) Higher upliftment of the western Himalayas, b) Rising of Potwar plateau and Delhi ridge, c) Downthursting of Malda gap or Garo-Rajmahal gap
4. Which rivers are part of the Peninsular drainage system?
a) Narmada
b) Tapi
c) Godavari
d) Yamuna
Answer: a) Narmada, b) Tapi, c) Godavari
5. What is the source of drainage in the Himalayan rivers?
a) Glaciers
b) Rainfall
c) Springs
d) Lakes
Answer: a) Glaciers
6. Which rivers have U-shaped valleys?
a) Himalayan rivers
b) Peninsular rivers
c) Coastal rivers
d) Desert rivers
Answer: b) Peninsular rivers
7. Which type of drainage pattern is found in the Himalayan rivers?
a) Dendritic pattern
b) Rectangular pattern
c) Trellis pattern
d) Radial pattern
Answer: a) Dendritic pattern
8. Which rivers follow a rectangular drainage pattern?
a) Ganga
b) Mahanadi
c) Godavari
d) Cauvery
Answer: b) Mahanadi, c) Godavari, d) Cauvery
9. Which rivers follow a trellis drainage pattern?
a) Narmada
b) Tapi
c) Ganga
d) Yamuna
Answer: a) Narmada, b) Tapi
10. Which rivers have larger river basins and catchment areas?
a) Himalayan rivers
b) Peninsular rivers
c) Coastal rivers
d) Desert rivers
Answer: a) Himalayan rivers
11. Which rivers have small deltas or estuaries?
a) Himalayan rivers
b) Peninsular rivers
c) Coastal rivers
d) Desert rivers
Answer: b) Peninsular rivers
12. Which rivers are more navigable in the plains?
a) Himalayan rivers
b) Peninsular rivers
c) Coastal rivers
d) Desert rivers
Answer: a) Himalayan rivers
13. Which rivers have antecedent rivers?
a) Himalayan rivers
b) Peninsular rivers
c) Coastal rivers
d) Desert rivers
Answer: a) Himalayan rivers
14. Which rivers have consequent rivers?
a) Himalayan rivers
b) Peninsular rivers
c) Coastal rivers
d) Desert rivers
Answer: b) Peninsular rivers
15. Which rivers have a dendritic drainage pattern?
a) Himalayan rivers
b) Peninsular rivers
c) Coastal rivers
d) Desert rivers
Answer: a) Himalayan rivers
16. Which rivers have a rectangular or trellis drainage pattern?
a) Himalayan rivers
b) Peninsular rivers
c) Coastal rivers
d) Desert rivers
Answer: b) Peninsular rivers
17. Which river system flows through China, Pakistan, and India?
a) Ganga River System
b) Yamuna River System
c) Indus River System
d) Brahmaputra River System
Answer: c) Indus River System
18. Which rivers are the right bank tributaries of the Indus River?
a) Shyok
b) Gilgit
c) Kabul
d) Jhelum
Answer: a) Shyok, b) Gilgit, c) Kabul
19. Which river flows through the Kashmir Valley?
a) Ganga
b) Yamuna
c) Jhelum
d) Chenab
Answer: c) Jhelum
20. Which is the largest freshwater lake in India?
a) Wular Lake
b) Dal Lake
c) Chilika Lake
d) Vembanad Lake
Answer: a) Wular Lake
21. Which river originates near Bara Lacha La?
a) Chenab
b) Ravi
c) Beas
d) Sutlej
Answer: a) Chenab
22. Which river originates from the Kullu Hills?
a) Chenab
b) Ravi
c) Beas
d) Sutlej
Answer: b) Ravi
23. Which river lies completely inside India?
a) Chenab
b) Ravi
c) Beas
d) Sutlej
Answer: c) Beas
24. Which river originates from Lake Rakas?
a) Chenab
b) Ravi
c) Beas
d) Sutlej
Answer: d) Sutlej
25. How many rivers merge with the Sutlej River in Punjab?
a) None
b) One
c) Two
d) Three
Answer: c) Two
26. The drainage system of India is mainly divided into:
a) Himalayan rivers
b) Peninsular rivers
c) Coastal rivers
d) Desert rivers
Answer: a) Himalayan rivers, b) Peninsular rivers
27. The earlier drainage system was disturbed by which events?
a) Higher upliftment of the western Himalayas
b) Rising of Potwar plateau and Delhi ridge
c) Downthursting of Malda gap or Garo-Rajmahal gap
d) Submergence of the western side of the western ghats
Answer: a) Higher upliftment of the western Himalayas, b) Rising of Potwar plateau and Delhi ridge, c) Downthursting of Malda gap or Garo-Rajmahal gap
28. Which rivers are part of the Peninsular drainage system?
a) Narmada
b) Tapi
c) Godavari
d) Yamuna
Answer: a) Narmada, b
) Tapi, c) Godavari
29. What is the source of drainage in the Himalayan rivers?
a) Glaciers
b) Rainfall
c) Springs
d) Lakes
Answer: a) Glaciers
30. Which rivers have U-shaped valleys?
a) Himalayan rivers
b) Peninsular rivers
c) Coastal rivers
d) Desert rivers
Answer: b) Peninsular rivers
31. Which type of drainage pattern is found in the Himalayan rivers?
a) Dendritic pattern
b) Rectangular pattern
c) Trellis pattern
d) Radial pattern
Answer: a) Dendritic pattern
32. Which rivers follow a rectangular drainage pattern?
a) Ganga
b) Mahanadi
c) Godavari
d) Cauvery
Answer: b) Mahanadi, c) Godavari, d) Cauvery
33. Which rivers follow a trellis drainage pattern?
a) Narmada
b) Tapi
c) Ganga
d) Yamuna
Answer: a) Narmada, b) Tapi
34. Which rivers have larger river basins and catchment areas?
a) Himalayan rivers
b) Peninsular rivers
c) Coastal rivers
d) Desert rivers
Answer: a) Himalayan rivers
35. Which rivers have small deltas or estuaries?
a) Himalayan rivers
b) Peninsular rivers
c) Coastal rivers
d) Desert rivers
Answer: b) Peninsular rivers
36. Which rivers are more navigable in the plains?
a) Himalayan rivers
b) Peninsular rivers
c) Coastal rivers
d) Desert rivers
Answer: a) Himalayan rivers
37. Which rivers have antecedent rivers?
a) Himalayan rivers
b) Peninsular rivers
c) Coastal rivers
d) Desert rivers
Answer: a) Himalayan rivers
38. Which rivers have consequent rivers?
a) Himalayan rivers
b) Peninsular rivers
c) Coastal rivers
d) Desert rivers
Answer: b) Peninsular rivers
39. Which rivers have a dendritic drainage pattern?
a) Himalayan rivers
b) Peninsular rivers
c) Coastal rivers
d) Desert rivers
Answer: a) Himalayan rivers
40. Which rivers have a rectangular or trellis drainage pattern?
a) Himalayan rivers
b) Peninsular rivers
c) Coastal rivers
d) Desert rivers
Answer: b) Peninsular rivers
Short Answer Questions:
1. What are the two main divisions of the drainage system in India?
Answer: The two main divisions of the drainage system in India are Himalayan rivers and Peninsular rivers.
2. What is the widely accepted theory regarding the evolution of Himalayan drainage?
Answer: The widely accepted theory proposes the existence of a single river called Indobrahma or Shivalik River, flowing from east to west along the entire stretch of the Himalayas to the south of Shivaliks.
3. Name the three main events that disturbed the earlier drainage system.
Answer: The three main events that disturbed the earlier drainage system are higher upliftment of the western Himalayas, rising of Potwar plateau and Delhi ridge, and downthrusting of Malda gap or Garo-Rajmahal gap.
4. What are the three major events that influenced the peninsular drainage system?
Answer: The three major events that influenced the peninsular drainage system are the submergence of the western side of the western ghats, upliftment of the Himalayas causing the tilting of the northern part of the Vindhyas, and slight tilting of the peninsular block from northwest to southeast direction.
5. How does the source of drainage differ between Himalayan and Peninsular rivers?
Answer: The source of drainage for Himalayan rivers is glaciers, while the source of drainage for Peninsular rivers is rainfall.
6. What is the dominant stage of Himalayan rivers?
Answer: The dominant stage of Himalayan rivers is the youth stage.
7. What type of valleys do Himalayan rivers have?
Answer: Himalayan rivers have V-shaped valleys.
8. What is the main difference in meandering between Himalayan and Peninsular rivers?
Answer: Himalayan rivers have high meandering due to high sediments and flowing through plain regions, while Peninsular rivers have low meandering due to lower sediments and flowing through plateau regions.
9. What are the two main drainage patterns found in India?
Answer: The two main drainage patterns found in India are dendritic pattern (found in Himalayan rivers) and rectangular or trellis pattern (found in Peninsular rivers).
10. Name the major rivers that form the Indus River system.
Answer: The major rivers that form the Indus River system are Shyok, Gilgit, Kabul (right bank tributaries), and Jhelum, Chenab, Sutlej, Ravi, and Beas (left bank tributaries).
Here are four "Match the Column" type questions based on the provided class notes on the drainage system of India:
Question 1:
Match the following rivers with their respective drainage patterns:
Rivers:
1. Ganga
2. Narmada
3. Godavari
4. Son, Hasdeo, Narmada
Drainage Patterns:
A. Dendritic pattern
B. Rectangular pattern
C. Trellis pattern
D. Radial pattern
Answer 1:
1. Ganga - A. Dendritic pattern
2. Narmada -C. Trellis pattern
3. Godavari - B. Rectangular pattern
4. Son, Hasdeo, Narmada - D. Radial pattern
Question 2:
Match the following characteristics with the appropriate type of drainage system:
Characteristics:
1. V-shaped valleys
2. High meandering
3. Larger river basins
4. Small deltas or estuaries
Drainage Systems:
A. Himalayan drainage
B. Peninsular drainage
Answer 2:
1. V-shaped valleys - A. Himalayan drainage
2. High meandering - A. Himalayan drainage
3. Larger river basins - A. Himalayan drainage
4. Small deltas or estuaries - B. Peninsular drainage
Question 3:
Match the following rivers with their respective countries they flow through:
Rivers:
1. Indus
2. Jhelum
3. Chenab
4. Ravi
Countries:
A. China
B. Pakistan
C. India
Answer 3:
1. Indus - A. China, B. Pakistan, C. India
2. Jhelum - B. Pakistan, C. India
3. Chenab - B. Pakistan, C. India
4. Ravi - B. Pakistan, C. India
Question 4:
Match the following rivers with their respective origins:
Rivers:
1. Jhelum
2. Chenab
3. Ravi
4. Beas
Origins:
A. Verinag
B. Bara Lacha La
C. Kullu Hills
D. Rohtang
Answer 4:
1. Jhelum - A. Verinag
2. Chenab - B. Bara Lacha La
3. Ravi - C. Kullu Hills
4. Beas - D. Rohtang
Here are 10 "fill in the blanks" type questions based on the provided class notes on the drainage system of India:
Question 1:
The drainage system of India is mainly divided into ________________ and ________________ rivers.
Answer 1:
The drainage system of India is mainly divided into Himalayan and Peninsular rivers.
Question 2:
The widely accepted theory regarding the evolution of Himalayan drainage proposes the existence of a single river called ________________ or Shivalik River.
Answer 2:
The widely accepted theory regarding the evolution of Himalayan drainage proposes the existence of a single river called Indobrahma or Shivalik River.
Question 3:
The earlier drainage system was disturbed by three main events: (a) Higher upliftment of the western Himalayas, (b) Rising of Potwar plateau and Delhi ridge, and (c) Downthursting of ________________ or Garo-Rajmahal gap.
Answer 3:
The earlier drainage system was disturbed by three main events: (a) Higher upliftment of the western Himalayas, (b) Rising of Potwar plateau and Delhi ridge, and (c) Downthursting of Malda gap or Garo-Rajmahal gap.
Question 4:
The peninsular drainage system is influenced by three major events: (a) Submergence of the western side of the western ghats, (b) Upliftment of the Himalayas which caused the northern part of the Vindhyas to tilt more towards the north, and (c) Slight tilting of the peninsular block from northwest to southeast direction, causing the slope towards the ________________ drainage.
Answer 4:
The peninsular drainage system is influenced by three major events: (a) Submergence of the western side of the western ghats, (b) Upliftment of the Himalayas which caused the northern part of the Vindhyas to tilt more towards the north, and (c) Slight tilting of the peninsular block from northwest to southeast direction, causing the slope towards the Bay of Bengal drainage.
Question 5:
The Himalayan drainage is dominated by the ________________ stage, while the Peninsular rivers are dominated by ________________ and ________________ stages.
Answer 5:
The Himalayan drainage is dominated by the youth stage, while the Peninsular rivers are dominated by mature and old stages.
Question 6:
The Himalayan rivers form ________________ valleys, whereas the Peninsular rivers formed ________________ valleys.
Answer 6:
The Himalayan rivers form V-shaped valleys, whereas the Peninsular rivers formed U-shaped valleys.
Question 7:
The Himalayan drainage has ________________ river basins and a catchment area, while the Peninsular drainage has ________________ river basins and a catchment area.
Answer 7:
The Himalayan drainage has larger river basins and a catchment area, while the Peninsular drainage has smaller river basins and a catchment area.
Question 8:
The deltas of the Himalayan rivers are ________________, whereas the deltas present in the Peninsular drainage are ________________ or estuaries.
Answer 8:
The deltas of the Himalayan rivers are very large, whereas the deltas present in the Peninsular drainage are small or estuaries.
Question 9:
The drainage pattern of the Himalayan rivers is mainly ________________, while the drainage pattern of the Peninsular rivers is mainly ________________ or trellis.
Answer 9:
The drainage pattern of the Himalayan rivers is mainly dendritic, while the drainage pattern of the Peninsular rivers is mainly rectangular or trellis.
Question 10
:
Examples of antecedent rivers in the Himalayan drainage system are ________________, ________________, ________________, Ghagra, Gandak, and Kosi, while Ganga and Yamuna are ________________ rivers in the Peninsular drainage system.
Answer 10:
Examples of antecedent rivers in the Himalayan drainage system are Indus, Brahmaputra, Sutlej, Ghagra, Gandak, and Kosi, while Ganga and Yamuna are consequent rivers in the Peninsular drainage system.
Long Answer Questions:
1. Explain the evolution of the Himalayan drainage system and the factors that disrupted its earlier pattern.
Answer: The evolution of the Himalayan drainage system is believed to have involved a single river, Indobrahma or Shivalik River, flowing from east to west along the entire stretch of the Himalayas to the south of Shivaliks. This river drained into the Gulf of Sindh. However, the earlier drainage system was disturbed by three main events. Firstly, there was higher upliftment of the western Himalayas, which caused the formation of the Indus River and its tributaries. Secondly, the rising of the Potwar plateau and Delhi ridge led to the formation of the Ganga River and its tributaries. Lastly, the downthrusting of the Malda gap or Garo-Rajmahal gap resulted in the formation of the Brahmaputra River and its tributaries. These events divided the original river into the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra river systems.
2. Discuss the differences between the Himalayan and Peninsular drainage systems in terms of their characteristics and features.
Answer: The Himalayan drainage system and the Peninsular drainage system in India differ in several aspects. Firstly, the source of drainage for Himalayan rivers is glaciers, whereas Peninsular rivers rely on rainfall as their source. Secondly, the Himalayan rivers are perennial, meaning they flow throughout the year, while Peninsular rivers are seasonal and experience fluctuations in their water flow. Thirdly, the Himalayan rivers are dominated by the youth stage, characterized by fast-flowing streams and steep gradients, whereas Peninsular rivers are dominated by mature and old stages, with slower flows and wider valleys. Additionally, Himalayan rivers form V-shaped valleys, while Peninsular rivers have U-shaped valleys. The meandering is high in Himalayan rivers due to high sediment load, while Peninsular rivers have lower meandering due to lower sediment content. The Himalayan drainage system has larger river basins and catchment areas compared to the Peninsular drainage system. The deltas of Himalayan rivers are larger, while the deltas in the Peninsular region are relatively smaller, with some rivers having estuaries instead. The Himalayan rivers are more navigable in the plains, whereas Peninsular rivers are less navigable. Lastly, the Himalayan drainage system consists of both antecedent and consequent rivers, while the Peninsular drainage system mainly has consequent rivers.
3. Explain the different drainage patterns found in India and provide examples of rivers following each pattern.
Answer: India exhibits various drainage patterns, each characterized by distinct features. Firstly, the dendritic pattern resembles the branches of a tree or leaf and lacks structural control. This pattern is found in the Himalayan rivers, with the Ganga drainage pattern being an example. Secondly, the rectangular pattern is observed in plateau regions with high structural control. Rivers in the peninsular region, such as the Mahanadi, Godavari, and Cauvery, follow this pattern as they take sharp turns. Thirdly, the trellis pattern occurs when the main river flows in a rift valley and tributaries join at right angles. The Narmada and Tapi rivers in India exemplify this pattern. The radial pattern is another drainage pattern where rivers originate from a raised platform or mountain and flow in various directions. For instance, rivers like Narmada, Son, and Hasdeo originate from Amarkantak. Lastly, parallel drainage is observed when rivers flow parallel to each other and drain directly into the sea. The west-flowing rivers of the Western Ghats, such as the Periyar and Netravati, exhibit this pattern.
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