By the end of this lesson, you'll solve:
"Nehru called dams the "Temples of Modern India." But dams also displaced millions of people. Was it worth it?"
Himalayan vs Peninsular Rivers
India has two very different river systems. Himalayan rivers are perennial (always flowing), long, and prone to floods. Peninsular rivers are seasonal (depend on monsoon), shorter, and drain into the sea over a shorter distance.
Key Points
- 1Himalayan Rivers: fed by glaciers + monsoon. Perennial (flow year-round). Examples: Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra, Yamuna.
- 2Peninsular Rivers: fed only by monsoon rain. Seasonal (may dry up in summer). Examples: Godavari, Krishna, Mahanadi, Kaveri.
- 3Ganga: India's most important river — 2525 km, feeds 43% of India's land area, basin supports 400+ million people
- 4Brahmaputra: flows through Tibet (as Tsangpo) → Arunachal Pradesh → Assam. Highest discharge volume in India.
- 5Rivers flow east (most peninsular rivers) → Bay of Bengal. Exception: Narmada, Tapi flow WEST → Arabian Sea (through rift valleys)
- 6Ganga-Brahmaputra delta: largest delta in the world (Sundarbans)
Pro Tip
Narmada and Tapi are exceptional — most peninsular rivers flow east, but these two flow west. They flow through ancient rift valleys (fault lines). NIOS always tests this exception.
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