Explanation: The Indus System

• It is one of the largest river basins of the world, covering an area of 11,65,000 sq. km (in India it is 321, 289 sq. km and a total length of 2,880 km (in India 1,114 km).
• The Indus also known as the Sindhu, is the westernmost of the Himalayan rivers in India.
• It originates from a glacier near Bokhar Chu (31°°15′ N latitude and 81°°40′ E longitude) in the Tibetan region at an altitude of 4,164 m in the Kailash Mountain range.
• In Tibet, it is known as ‘Singi Khamban; or Lion’s mouth.

The Ganga System

• The Ganga is the most important river of India both from the point of view of its basin and cultural significance.
• It rises in the Gangotri glacier near Gaumukh (3,900 m) in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. Here, it is known as the Bhagirathi.

The Yamuna

• It is the westernmost and the longest tributary of the Ganga, has its source in the Yamunotri glacier on the western slopes of Banderpunch range (6,316 m).
• It joins the Ganga at Prayag (Allahabad). It is joined by the Chambal, the Sind, the Betwa and the Ken on its right bank which originates from the Peninsular plateau while the Hindan, the Rind, the Sengar, the Varuna, etc. join it on its left bank.

The Brahmaputra System

• The Brahmaputra, one of the largest rivers of the world, has its origin in the Chemayungdung glacier of the Kailash range near the Mansarovar lake.
• From here, it traverses eastward longitudinally for a distance of nearly 1,200 km in a dry and flat region of southern Tibet, where it is known as the Tsangpo, which means ‘the purifier.’
• The Rango Tsangpo is the major right bank tributary of this river in Tibet.

Source: Class 11th NCERT