Question map
Three important rivers of the Indian subcontinent have their source near the ManasaroVar Lake in the Great Himalayas. Which among the following are the rivers ?
Explanation
The three major rivers of the Indian subcontinent originating near Lake Manasarovar in the Tibetan Himalayas are the Brahmaputra, Indus, and Sutlej. The Brahmaputra (known as the Tsangpo in Tibet) originates from the Chemayungdung or Angsi glaciers located southeast of Lake Manasarovar [6]. The Indus River has its source on the Tibetan Plateau near Lake Manasarovar. The Sutlej River rises from Rakshastal (Rakas Lake), which is situated immediately west of and connected to Lake Manasarovar [5]. These rivers are often described as antecedent, having existed before the Himalayan uplift [4]. In contrast, the Jhelum originates from the Verinag Spring in Kashmir, and the Yamuna originates from the Yamunotri glacier in the Garhwal Himalayas, making options 1, 2, and 4 incorrect.
Sources
- [1] INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Drainage System > The Brahmaputra System > p. 22
- [2] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > 3. The Brahmaputra River > p. 17
- [6] https://egyankosh.ac.in/bitstream/123456789/102606/3/Block-3.pdf
- [3] INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Drainage System > The Indus System > p. 21
- [5] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > The Satluj (Satadru or Satudri) > p. 10
- [4] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > Evolution of the Himalayan Rivers > p. 6