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hardQ. No. 14327-which-is-the-longest-river-originating-entirely-within-india

Which is the longest river originating entirely within India?

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This question examines an important river-or-lake fact: “Which is the longest river originating entirely within India?” The correct answer is Godavari. The Godavari River at 1465 km is the longest river that originates entirely within India (at Trimbakeshwar, Maharashtra) and flows entirely within India before draining into the Bay of Bengal. The Ganga is longer (2525 km) but the Brahmaputra (which originates in Tibet) and Indus (also from Tibet) don't originate within India. A river system includes its source, tributaries, distributaries, drainage basin, watershed, channel, floodplain, delta or estuary and final outlet. River behaviour depends on relief, geology, rainfall, snowmelt, sediment load, vegetation and human intervention.

AGanga
BYamuna
CGodavari
DMahanadi
Correct Answer: GodavariYour Answer: C

Explanation

Correct Answer: Option C — Godavari The Godavari is the longest river whose entire course lies within India. - Option A — Ganga: The Ganga is longer overall, but its lower course enters Bangladesh, where its main distributary is known as the Padma. - Option B — Yamuna: The Yamuna flows entirely within India but is shorter than the Godavari and joins the Ganga at Prayagraj. - Option D — Mahanadi: The Mahanadi rises in Chhattisgarh and reaches the Bay of Bengal in Odisha, but its length is less than that of the Godavari. Exam Takeaway: Godavari is the longest river flowing entirely within India.

Important Notes

  • The Godavari rises near Trimbakeshwar in Nashik district, Maharashtra, and flows eastward before forming a delta on the Andhra Pradesh coast.
  • Godavari is known as Dakshin Ganga because of its large basin and cultural importance in peninsular India. Major tributaries include Pranhita, Indravati, Manjira and Sabari.
  • Godavari should not be confused with Ganga in length questions. Ganga is longer overall but crosses into Bangladesh; Godavari’s entire course remains within India.
  • The Yamuna rises at Yamunotri in Uttarakhand and joins the Ganga at Prayagraj. Although entirely within India, it is shorter than the Godavari.
  • The Mahanadi rises in Chhattisgarh and flows through Odisha. Hirakud Dam is built on it, whereas major Godavari projects include Jayakwadi and Polavaram.

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What are the major rivers of India and which are the longest?

Major rivers of India: Ganga (2525 km, longest in India), Godavari (1465 km, longest peninsular river), Krishna (1400 km), Yamuna (1376 km), Narmada (1312 km), Indus (1114 km in India). Rivers are classified as Himalayan rivers (perennial, fed by glaciers) and Peninsular rivers (mostly seasonal). The Ganga basin is the largest river basin in India.

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