River System of India – Indus River System

by Devender

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There is 3 prime Watershed of River Origin in India namely:

Himalayas and Karakoram ranges
Vindhya, Satpura ranges, and Chota Nagpur Plateau
Western Ghats

The rivers of India can be categorized into 4 categories on the basis of their origin which are:

Himalayan Rivers
Deccan Rivers
Coastal Rivers
Rivers of the inland Drainage basin

Ganga is the largest river in India followed by the Godavari. The top 5 largest rivers of India are: Ganga > Godavari > Krishna > Yamuna > Brahmaputra.

Indus River System

The Indus river system consists of 7 rivers namely:

Indus
Shyok
Jhelum
Chenab
Ravi
Beas
Satluj

1 Indus

Its ancient name is Sindhu and it originates from Bokharchu Glacier, Near Mansarovar in Tibet which is called Singi Khamban/Lion's mouth.

It enters India from Ladakh and flows only in J&K
It then enters Pakistan from the hairpin bend of Nanga Parbat
It finally discharges in the Arabian sea

Its total length is 2880 Km out of which, it flows 709 Km in India and India uses only 20 % of its water according to the India-Pak treaty of 1960.

2 Shyok

It originates from Rimo Glacier and is known as the river of death. It flows through Ladakh in India and it is a tributary of the Indus River.

3 Jhelum

Its ancient name is Vitasta and it originates from Verinag Spring in Kashmir. It flows Northward to Wular lake.

It is tributary of Chenab
It flows only in J&K
It cut through a gorge in Pir- Panjal range to reach Muzzafarabad (POK)

4 Chenab

Its ancient name is Akshani/Iskmati and it originates from Bara Lacha Pass in Himachal. It is known as Chandra-Bhaga in Himachal.

Chandra River - Water flowing south from the pass
Bhaga River - Water flowing north from the pass
It flows Northward & parallel to Pir –Panjal Range for some distance
It cut through a gorge in Pir – Panjal & Turns southward

It is the largest tributary of Indus and it flows through Himachal & J&K. There are some famous projects on this river such as - Duhasti, Baglihar & Salal hydroelectric project

5 Ravi

Its ancient name is Purushni and it originates from the Kullu hills near Rohtang Pass in Himachal.

It is a tributary of Chenab
It is the smallest river among the 5 rivers
It flows through Indo – Pak border

It flows northward between Pir – Panjal & Dhauladhar Ranges and cut through the Dhauladhar range & flows southward.

6 Beas

Its ancient name is Vipasha and it originates from Beas Kund near Rohtang Pass, Himachal.

It is a tributary of Satluj
It is the only river that flows entirely in India

It flows southward and cut a deep gorge in Dhauladhar & turns west to meet Satluj near Harike (Punjab). The famous project on this river is: Pong Dam

7 Satluj

Its ancient name is Shatadru and it originates from Rakas lake, Tibet, near Mansarovar.

It enters India from Himachal at Shipki La Pass

It collects water from Ravi, Chenab, Jhelum & Beas to join Indus near Mithalkot (Pak). Some famous projects on it are: Naptha Jhakri Project & Bhakra Nangal Dam with Govind Sagar Reservoir