UPSC Exam  >  UPSC Questions  >   The Himalayan rivers have antecedent drainag... Start Learning for Free
The Himalayan rivers have antecedent drainage because –
  • a)
    They are still in their youth stage.
  • b)
    They form rapids and waterfalls in their upper course.
  • c)
    They cut gorges.
  • d)
    They flow in the direction of Himalayan folds.
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
The Himalayan rivers have antecedent drainage because –a)They are sti...
Antecedent drainage in the Himalayan rivers

Antecedent drainage refers to the existence of rivers that flow across mountain ranges, in a direction opposite to the general slope of the land. In the case of the Himalayan rivers, the correct answer to why they have antecedent drainage is option 'C' - they cut gorges. Let's explore this answer in detail:

1. Formation of gorges:
The Himalayan rivers have antecedent drainage because they have cut deep gorges in their path. As these rivers flowed across the rising mountain range, they slowly eroded the land, cutting through the hard rocks and forming deep gorges. These gorges act as natural channels through which the rivers continue to flow.

2. Geological processes:
The Himalayas are a young mountain range, formed by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates. The tectonic forces involved in this collision caused the upliftment of the land and the formation of folds and faults. The rivers that existed in the region prior to the formation of the Himalayas were able to maintain their course by cutting through the rising landmass, resulting in antecedent drainage.

3. Youth stage:
While it is true that the Himalayan rivers are still in their youth stage, this alone does not fully explain their antecedent drainage. The youth stage is characterized by the presence of steep gradients, high erosive power, and the formation of rapids and waterfalls. However, these factors do not necessarily lead to the formation of antecedent drainage. It is the cutting of gorges that is the primary reason for antecedent drainage in the Himalayan rivers.

4. Direction of Himalayan folds:
The direction of the Himalayan folds, i.e., the orientation of the mountain ranges, is not directly responsible for the antecedent drainage of the Himalayan rivers. While the folds do influence the overall topography of the region, it is the cutting of gorges that allows the rivers to maintain their flow in a direction opposite to the general slope of the land.

In conclusion, the primary reason for antecedent drainage in the Himalayan rivers is the cutting of gorges by these rivers as they flow across the rising mountain range. This phenomenon is a result of the geological processes associated with the formation of the Himalayas.
Free Test
Community Answer
The Himalayan rivers have antecedent drainage because –a)They are sti...
An antecedent stream is a stream that maintains its original course and pattern despite the changes in underlying rock topography. A stream with a dendritic drainage pattern, for example, can be subject to slow tectonic uplift. However, as the uplift occurs, the stream erodes through the rising ridge to form a steep-walled gorge.
The Himalayan Rivers are great examples of antecedent origin. These rivers originated well before the Himalayan region was uplifted. The rivers Indus, Brahmaputra, Sutlej, Kosi and Subansiri originated on Tibetan side and now traverse the existing mountain ranges, cutting deep gorges.
Explore Courses for UPSC exam

Top Courses for UPSC

The Himalayan rivers have antecedent drainage because –a)They are still in their youth stage.b)They form rapids and waterfalls in their upper course.c)They cut gorges.d)They flow in the direction of Himalayan folds.Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
The Himalayan rivers have antecedent drainage because –a)They are still in their youth stage.b)They form rapids and waterfalls in their upper course.c)They cut gorges.d)They flow in the direction of Himalayan folds.Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2025 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about The Himalayan rivers have antecedent drainage because –a)They are still in their youth stage.b)They form rapids and waterfalls in their upper course.c)They cut gorges.d)They flow in the direction of Himalayan folds.Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for The Himalayan rivers have antecedent drainage because –a)They are still in their youth stage.b)They form rapids and waterfalls in their upper course.c)They cut gorges.d)They flow in the direction of Himalayan folds.Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for The Himalayan rivers have antecedent drainage because –a)They are still in their youth stage.b)They form rapids and waterfalls in their upper course.c)They cut gorges.d)They flow in the direction of Himalayan folds.Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for UPSC. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for UPSC Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of The Himalayan rivers have antecedent drainage because –a)They are still in their youth stage.b)They form rapids and waterfalls in their upper course.c)They cut gorges.d)They flow in the direction of Himalayan folds.Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of The Himalayan rivers have antecedent drainage because –a)They are still in their youth stage.b)They form rapids and waterfalls in their upper course.c)They cut gorges.d)They flow in the direction of Himalayan folds.Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for The Himalayan rivers have antecedent drainage because –a)They are still in their youth stage.b)They form rapids and waterfalls in their upper course.c)They cut gorges.d)They flow in the direction of Himalayan folds.Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of The Himalayan rivers have antecedent drainage because –a)They are still in their youth stage.b)They form rapids and waterfalls in their upper course.c)They cut gorges.d)They flow in the direction of Himalayan folds.Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice The Himalayan rivers have antecedent drainage because –a)They are still in their youth stage.b)They form rapids and waterfalls in their upper course.c)They cut gorges.d)They flow in the direction of Himalayan folds.Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice UPSC tests.
Explore Courses for UPSC exam

Top Courses for UPSC

Explore Courses
Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev