Class 9 Geography Chapter 1 Question Answers - Contemporary India - I

Q.1. What are the differences between the Himalayan rivers and the Peninsular rivers? (Important)
Ans. The differences between the two main groups of rivers of India are as follows :

 
Q.2. Write a note on the Indus Drainage System.
Ans. The Indus, one of the world's longest rivers (2900 km), originates near Lake Mansarovar in Tibet. Flowing west, it enters India in Ladakh (Jammu and Kashmir), forming a spectacular gorge. Tributaries like the Zaskar, Nabra, Shyok, and Hunza join it in Kashmir.

The river flows through Baltistan and Gilgit, emerging at Attock, and its tributaries—the Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Satluj—merge near Mithankot in Pakistan. The Indus then flows southward into the Arabian Sea, east of Karachi.

The Indus basin covers parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Punjab in India, but most lies in Pakistan. Its plain has a gentle slope.

Q.3. Write a note on the Brahmaputra Drainage System.
 OR
 Name any two major river systems of the Himalayan region. Describe any one in detail.

(CBSE 2010)

Ans. The Brahmaputra, one of the world's longest rivers, rises in Tibet near Mansarovar Lake and is called Tsangpo. Flowing eastward parallel to the Himalayas in a cold, dry area, it carries less water and silt. At Namcha Barwa (7757 m), it takes a U-turn and enters Arunachal Pradesh through a gorge, where it is called Dihang. It is joined by tributaries like the Dibang, Lohit, and Kenula, increasing its volume and becoming the Brahmaputra in Assam.

During monsoons, heavy rainfall increases its water and silt content, causing devastating floods in Assam and Bangladesh. The river forms braided channels and riverine islands like Majuli, the world's largest riverine island. In Bangladesh, it is called Jamuna and joins the Ganga (Padma), forming the Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta (Sunderbans), before discharging into the Bay of Bengal.

Q.4. Write a note on the Ganga Drainage System. (Important)
Ans. The Ganga is India's longest and most important river, with a length of over 2500 km. Its basin mostly lies in India, with a part in Bangladesh. The river begins as the Bhagirathi from the Gangotri Glacier, merging with the Alaknanda at Devaprayag. It enters the plains at Haridwar and is joined by many tributaries. The Yamuna (right-bank), flowing from the Yamunotri Glacier, joins at Allahabad. Other left-bank tributaries include the Ghaghra, Gandak, Kosi, and Sarda, while Chambal, Betwa, and Son are right-bank tributaries from the Peninsular uplands.

The Ganga and its tributaries form the fertile northern plains, vital for agriculture. The river meanders through the plains, increasing in volume until Farakka in West Bengal, where it bifurcates. Its distributary, Bhagirathi-Hooghly, flows to the Bay of Bengal. The mainstream continues into Bangladesh, where it becomes the Padma, joining the Brahmaputra to form the Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta (Sunderbans), the world’s largest and fastest-growing delta.

Q.5. Write a note on the east-flowing and the west-flowing rivers of Peninsular India.

(CBSE 2010)

Ans. Peninsular India is home to numerous east-flowing and a few west-flowing rivers. The major east-flowing rivers such as the Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri originate from the Western Ghats or the Deccan Plateau, flow eastward, and empty into the Bay of Bengal. These rivers have wide basins, a dendritic drainage pattern, and create large deltas at their mouths.

In contrast, the west-flowing rivers, like the Narmada and Tapi, originate from the Satpura Range and Amarkantak Hills, flowing westward through rift valleys and fault lines to drain into the Arabian Sea. The coastal plains here are narrow, making these rivers short and swift. Other west-flowing rivers include the Sabarmati, Mahi, Bharathpuzha, and Periyar. These rivers have an elongated course, with a trellis or rectangular drainage pattern, and form estuaries but not deltas.

Q.6. Why are rivers important for a country's economy? 

(CBSE 2010)

Ans. Rivers are vital for a country's economy as they provide numerous benefits. They form fertile alluvial plains that have supported human civilization and offer water for domestic use, agriculture, and industry. In agriculture, rivers enable irrigation, crucial for crop production, especially in countries like India. They also serve as a cheap mode of transportation for inland navigation. Additionally, rivers help generate hydroelectric power, supporting industries, homes, and agriculture. River Valley Projects, which include building dams, optimize water management for irrigation, power generation, fishing, and recreation, playing a key role in economic development.