Question map
With reference to the Himalayan rivers joining the Ganga downstream of Prayagraj from West to East, which one of the following sequences is correct ?
Explanation
The correct answer is option B: Gomati - Ghaghara - Gandak - Kosi.
The important left bank tributaries of the Ganga are the Ramganga, the Gomati, the Ghaghara, the Gandak, the Kosi and the Mahananda.[1] These tributaries join the Ganga as it flows from west to east through the plains. Downstream of Prayagraj (where the Yamuna joins), these left-bank Himalayan tributaries meet the Ganga in a specific sequence. The Gomati joins first (near Varanasi/Ghazipur region), followed by the Ghaghara (near Chapra), then the Gandak (near Hajipur), and finally the Kosi (near Kursela) - all in Bihar. The major flooding events come from the Kosi, Ghagra and Gandak and their tributaries joining the Ganga along its course through Gangetic plains.[3] Understanding this west-to-east sequence of tributary confluences is crucial for comprehending the Ganga's hydrology and flood patterns in the Middle and Lower Ganga Plains.
Sources- [1] INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Drainage System > Do you Know? > p. 22
- [2] https://www.orfonline.org/research/an-eco-hydrological-perspective-to-monsoon-high-flows-in-the-ganga-padma-system-imperatives-for-flood-management
- [3] https://www.orfonline.org/research/an-eco-hydrological-perspective-to-monsoon-high-flows-in-the-ganga-padma-system-imperatives-for-flood-management
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full viewThis is a classic 'Sitter' derived directly from the NCERT text and map. It rewards basic map work over rote memorization. If you missed this, you aren't spending enough time tracing rivers on blank maps. No current affairs knowledge was required.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Statement 1: Are the Himalayan rivers joining the Ganga downstream of Prayagraj in the west-to-east order Ghaghara, Gomati, Gandak, Kosi?
- Statement 2: Are the Himalayan rivers joining the Ganga downstream of Prayagraj in the west-to-east order Gomati, Ghaghara, Gandak, Kosi?
- Statement 3: Are the Himalayan rivers joining the Ganga downstream of Prayagraj in the west-to-east order Ghaghara, Gomati, Kosi, Gandak?
- Statement 4: Are the Himalayan rivers joining the Ganga downstream of Prayagraj in the west-to-east order Gomati, Ghaghara, Kosi, Gandak?
Lists important left‑bank tributaries of the Ganga as Ramganga, Gomati, Ghaghara, Gandak, Kosi, Mahananda—identifying these rivers as left‑bank Himalayan tributaries downstream of the Yamuna (Prayag).
A student could place these named tributaries on a map east of Prayag to check their relative west–east sequence.
Gives a named list of large left‑hand tributaries (Sharda, Kali, Gomti, Ghagra, Gandak, Kosi, Mahananda), which appears ordered geographically along the Ganga system.
Treat the list as a west→east ordering cue and compare each river's mouth location on a map to test the proposed Ghaghara–Gomati–Gandak–Kosi sequence.
States Gandak enters the plains in Champaran (Bihar) and joins the Ganga at Sonpur opposite Patna, giving a concrete downstream (eastern) location for Gandak's confluence.
Use Patna/Sonpur as a fixed point on a map to judge whether Ghaghara and Gomati confluences lie west of Gandak and whether Kosi lies east.
Notes Ghaghara, Gandak and Kosi rise in Nepal Himalaya and are major Himalayan tributaries that flood northern plains—grouping Ghaghara with Gandak and Kosi as neighboring Nepal‑born tributaries.
Map the Nepal origins and follow each river's course into the Indian plains to infer their lateral ordering along the Ganga.
States Gandak and Kosi are main left‑hand tributaries in the Middle Ganga Plain, indicating both join the Ganga in roughly the same lower‑middle reach (useful for relative placement).
Compare the described Middle Ganga Plain confluence zone with known locations of Ghaghara and Gomati to test relative west–east positions.
- Lists the Ganga's large left-hand tributaries in a sequence that places Gomti before Ghaghara, then Gandak and Kosi.
- The ordering of left-bank tributaries implies a west-to-east alignment along the Ganga downstream.
- Enumerates the important left-bank tributaries in the order: Gomati, Ghaghara, Gandak, Kosi.
- Identifies these rivers as left-bank tributaries of the Ganga, consistent with their joining downstream of Prayagraj on the left (north) side.
Gives an ordered list of important left bank tributaries: Ramganga, Gomati, Ghaghara, Gandak, Kosi, Mahananda — a sequence that can hint at relative west–east positions.
A student could place these named tributaries on a map of the Ganga basin to infer their west–east ordering downstream of Prayagraj.
Lists major left‑hand tributaries as Sharda, Kali, Gomti, Ghagra, Gandak, Kosi, Mahananda — another sequence that suggests relative lateral ordering along the Ganga.
Compare this sequence with a physical map to check whether Ghagra, Gomti, Kosi, Gandak appear in the claimed west–east order downstream.
Specifies where the Gandak joins the Ganga (at Sonpur opposite Patna), giving a concrete downstream/eastward location for one named tributary.
Using this known confluence (Sonpur/Patna) on a map, a student can locate Gandak relative to Prayagraj and other tributaries to test the proposed order.
States that Ghaghara, Gandak and Kosi rise in the Nepal Himalaya and are major Himalayan tributaries of the Ganga—identifies the group under consideration.
Knowing these rivers originate in Nepal, a student can trace their courses on a regional map to determine their relative positions as they enter the Indian plains downstream of Prayagraj.
Notes that Gandak and Kosi are main left‑hand tributaries in the Middle Ganga Plain, indicating both join the Ganga in Bihar (downstream of Prayagraj).
Map the Middle Ganga Plain confluences (Gandak, Kosi) and compare distances/east–west alignment from Prayagraj to see if their order matches the claim.
This source lists important left‑bank tributaries as 'Ramganga, Gomati, Ghaghara, Gandak, Kosi and Mahananda', giving an ordered enumeration of left‑bank Himalayan tributaries.
A student could map these named tributaries on a India/Nepal map to see if the listed sequence corresponds to west→east positions downstream of Prayagraj.
This text similarly lists major left‑hand tributaries in a sequence: 'Sharda, Kali, Gomti, Ghagra, Gandak, Kosi, and Mahananda', again providing an ordered list of left tributaries.
Compare this sequence with geographic coordinates or a river map to judge relative longitudinal ordering downstream of Prayagraj.
Gives a concrete confluence location: the Gandak joins the Ganga at Sonpur opposite Patna, which is well east/downstream of Prayagraj.
Use the known location of Prayagraj and Patna on a map to place the Gandak relative to other tributaries and check east/west order.
States that Gandak and Kosi are the main left‑hand tributaries in the Middle Ganga Plain, implying they join the Ganga in the middle/lower reach downstream of Prayagraj.
Locate the Middle Ganga Plain region on a map to infer approximate downstream order of Kosi vs Gandak relative to Prayagraj.
Confirms that Ghaghara, Gandak and Kosi rise in the Nepal Himalaya and are major tributaries that join the Ganga, indicating they are part of the Himalayan left‑bank group considered in ordering.
Combine this with mapped positions of their mouths (from other snippets) to help determine their west–east sequence downstream of Prayagraj.
- [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. Directly solvable from **NCERT Class XI: India Physical Environment, Chapter 3 (Drainage)**, specifically the section on 'The Ganga System'.
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: **River Basin Morphology**. The exam demands precise spatial awareness of the Ganga's left-bank vs. right-bank tributaries.
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the **Yamuna Tributaries West-to-East** (Chambal, Sind, Betwa, Ken). Master the **Panch Prayag** sequence (Vishnuprayag to Devprayag). Learn the **North-South order of East Flowing Peninsular Rivers** (Subarnarekha, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Pennar, Cauvery, Vaigai).
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Do not just read the list of tributaries. **Draw the Ganga line** on a blank sheet and physically mark the confluences (Prayagraj, Varanasi, Patna, Bhagalpur). Visualizing the 'entry points' locks the sequence better than mnemonics.
Identifying which Himalayan rivers are left-bank tributaries (Gomti, Ghaghara, Gandak, Kosi) is essential to determine their relative positions along the Ganga.
High-yield for map-based and descriptive questions: mastering which tributaries are left-bank vs right-bank helps locate confluences, understand flood-prone zones and river-system questions. It links drainage patterns with physiography and flood management topics and enables elimination in multiple-choice items about tributary identity and position.
- INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Drainage System > Do you Know? > p. 22
- Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 4: Climate of India > 1. The Ganga River Basin > p. 47
- CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Drainage > The Ganga River System > p. 20
Knowing that Yamuna joins at Prayagraj and that the Gandak joins near Sonpur opposite Patna anchors the downstream sequence of tributaries.
Confluence-location knowledge is repeatedly tested in geography and GS papers; it helps answer questions on river courses, historical settlement patterns, and flood impact. It also connects to transport, irrigation and regional development questions where specific river-city relationships are required.
- CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Drainage > The Ganga River System > p. 20
- Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > River Gandak > p. 16
- INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Drainage System > Do you Know? > p. 22
Ghaghara, Gandak and Kosi originate in the Nepal Himalaya, which affects their entry points into the Indian plains and relative east–west positions.
Understanding river origins helps explain longitudinal ordering, flood regimes and transboundary river issues — important for questions on Indo‑Nepal hydrology, flood management and river training works. This concept ties physical origin to downstream behaviour and administrative/state impacts.
- CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Drainage > The Ganga River System > p. 20
- Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > River Gandak > p. 16
- Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 4: Climate of India > 1. The Ganga River Basin > p. 47
The left-bank tributaries of the Ganga (Gomti, Ghaghara, Gandak, Kosi) occur in a discernible west-to-east sequence downstream of Prayagraj.
High-yield for map-based and river-system questions: helps answer ordering, confluence-location and basin questions. Connects to physiography and flood patterns; useful for elimination in multiple-choice items about tributary sequences.
- Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 4: Climate of India > 1. The Ganga River Basin > p. 47
- INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Drainage System > Do you Know? > p. 22
Ghaghara, Gandak and Kosi originate in the Nepal Himalaya and join the Ganga as major left-bank tributaries.
Important for questions on transboundary rivers, flood causation and sediment load in the northern plains. Links to topics on international river origins and flood management in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
- CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Drainage > The Ganga River System > p. 20
- Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 4: Climate of India > 1. The Ganga River Basin > p. 47
Prayagraj is the major confluence where the Yamuna meets the Ganga, providing a clear upstream reference for identifying downstream tributary order.
Knowing major confluence points anchors spatial ordering of subsequent tributaries and is frequently tested in physical and cultural geography questions about river basins and confluences.
- CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Drainage > The Ganga River System > p. 20
- INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Drainage System > Do you Know? > p. 22
- INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Drainage System > The Ganga System > p. 21
Knowing which tributaries are left‑bank or right‑bank is essential to map their positions relative to the Ganga and to order them from west to east.
High-yield for drainage questions: mastering left/right bank distinctions helps answer many questions on river systems, confluences and regional impacts (flooding, irrigation). It connects to basin geography and physiography and enables elimination of wrong options in ordering or location-based questions.
- INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Drainage System > Do you Know? > p. 22
- Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 4: Climate of India > 1. The Ganga River Basin > p. 47
The 'Next Logical Question' is the **Right Bank Tributaries of the Ganga** in West-to-East order: Yamuna, Son, Punpun, Kiul, Chandan. Also, watch out for the **Left Bank Tributaries of the Yamuna** (Tons, Hindon, Rishi Ganga), which are often ignored.
Use the **'State-Logic' Hack**: Gomati originates in the plains of Uttar Pradesh (Pilibhit), while Kosi is the 'Sorrow of Bihar' flowing from Nepal to East Bihar. Since UP is west of Bihar, Gomati *must* be the westernmost and Kosi the easternmost in this list. Only Option [B] starts with Gomati and ends with Kosi. Solved in 5 seconds.
Link this to **GS-3 Disaster Management**: The sequence explains the flood chronology in UP and Bihar. Gomati floods Lucknow/Jaunpur; Ghaghara floods Ayodhya/Ballia; Kosi ('Sorrow of Bihar') devastates the lower plains. Understanding the geography is prerequisite to writing answers on flood mitigation.