Indian River Systems & Drainage Patterns Quiz — 7 Free Questions

Question 1

Which river is generally regarded as the largest of India's peninsular rivers overall, both in terms of its total length and the overall area of its drainage basin, surpassing even the significantly sized Krishna and Kaveri river systems?

Question 2

Which major dam, built on the Beas river in Himachal Pradesh, creates a large reservoir also known by the alternative name Maharana Pratap Sagar, and supplies both irrigation water and hydroelectric power to the surrounding region?

Question 3

Where does the Bhagirathi river, traditionally regarded as the primary headwater source stream of the Ganga, originate, emerging from an ice cave traditionally known by a name meaning 'cow's mouth'?

Question 4

Which two rivers, both originating in Bhutan and flowing through the northern part of West Bengal, are generally considered part of the wider Brahmaputra river system, eventually joining it within Bangladesh?

Question 5

Which significant tributary of the Indus, itself formed by the union of two smaller streams flowing through the remote Zanskar valley, joins the main Indus river within the union territory of Ladakh?

Question 6

Which major right-bank tributary of the Ganga originates near Amarkantak in present-day Madhya Pradesh, the very same elevated plateau that also gives rise, through the same radial drainage pattern, to the westward-flowing Narmada?

Question 7

Which Indian river is generally cited as carrying the single highest average annual discharge, or overall volume of water, of any river in the country, reflecting the exceptionally heavy monsoon and glacial contribution received across its wide and steep Himalayan catchment area?

📚 All Quizzes

Browse every category and see the full list of quizzes on BriskQuiz

→

About Indian River Systems & Drainage Patterns

This quiz is meant for students preparing for the IAS examination and other competitive tests, and for anyone who wants a wide-ranging survey of India's river systems and drainage patterns. It begins with the basic classification of drainage patterns -- dendritic, trellis, radial, centripetal, rectangular and annular -- and the fundamental distinction between perennial Himalayan rivers and seasonal peninsular rivers, along with concepts such as antecedent and consequent drainage, drainage basins and water divides. It then covers the Indus river system -- its origin near Lake Mansarovar, its tributaries the Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej, and the Indus Waters Treaty. A third section covers the Ganga river system -- its source streams the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda, major tributaries such as the Yamuna, Ghaghara, Gandak, Kosi, Son and Chambal, and the Namami Gange programme. A fourth section covers the Brahmaputra and other Himalayan rivers -- its origin as the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet, its many names, Majuli island, and tributaries such as the Teesta, Subansiri and Manas. It closes with the peninsular rivers -- the Narmada, Tapi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri and Mahanadi, their origins, tributaries, major dams and waterfalls such as Jog Falls. When complete it will have one hundred and fifteen carefully checked questions, arranged in five packs of twenty-three.

Every question has four options, and the correct option can be in any position. After each question there is a detailed explanation of more than five lines, in simple Indian English that a school student can follow, giving the important names, terms and the points that examiners like to test.

Every fact has been checked against standard reference material on the physical geography and river systems of India.