Question

Which of the following gives the correct descending order by length of the rivers of India?
A) Brahmaputra, Ganga, Godavari, Kashi
B) Ganga, Brahmaputra, Krishna, Godavari
C) Ganga, Godavari, Krishna, Yamuna
D) Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari Mahanadi

Answer 1

Hint: Since ancient times, rivers in India have been a lifeline for various civilisations. Every river has a legend associated with it. Some are revered, regarded as goddesses, and even referred to as natural wonders. Around 90% of India's rivers flow towards the east and into the Bay of Bengal. The remaining 10% of rivers flow into the Arabian Sea from the western half of India.

Complete answer:
Rivers are a major source of soft water. Our country, India, is naturally endowed with a plethora of rivers. India's rivers vary in length and origin.

The Ganges, often known as the Ganga, is a trans-boundary Asian river that runs through India and Bangladesh. The Ganga, with a length of 2525 kilometres, is India's longest river, flowing wholly through the country's mainland.

The Brahmaputra, also known as the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet, the Siang or Dihang River in Arunachal Pradesh, and Luit, Dilao in Assam, is a transboundary river that flows through Tibet, India, and Bangladesh. Its length is 3848 kilometres.

If we examine the overall distance covered by a river within India, the Ganges is the longest river in India. The Brahmaputra and the Indus, two important rivers in the Indian subcontinent, are both longer than the Ganges in total length. However, these two rivers cover significantly shorter distances throughout India than the Ganges. Thus, we can conclude that Ganga is the longest river in India.

The Godavari is India's second-longest river. Its source is in Maharashtra's Triambakeshwar. It runs 1,465 kilometres.

The Krishna River rises near Jor village in Maharashtra from the Western Ghats. The river is 1,400 kilometres long from its source to its mouth in the Bay of Bengal.

The Yamuna is the Ganga's second-largest tributary and India's longest. It begins in the Yamunotri Glacier and travels a total distance of 1,376 kilometres.

Thus, the correct option is C) Ganga, Godavari, Krishna, Yamuna. That is, Ganga, Godavari, Krishna, Yamuna are in descending order by length.

Note: In terms of geography, Indian rivers are divided into two categories: Himalayan Rivers and Peninsular Rivers, depending on their source.The Indus, Ganga, Yamuna, and Brahmaputra are the four major Himalayan rivers. Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Cauvery are the major Peninsular rivers.