PREVIOUSLY ASKED IN:
WBPSC Miscellaneous Preliminary 2019
Answer
Brahmaputra
Explanation
The Brahmaputra River originates from the Chemayungdung glacier near Lake Mansarovar in Tibet, where it flows eastward and is known as the Yarlung Tsangpo. Upon reaching the Namcha Barwa mountain peak in the eastern Himalayas, it takes a sharp U-turn (hairpin bend) and carves a deep gorge to enter India through the state of Arunachal Pradesh. In Arunachal Pradesh, it is locally known as the Dihang or Siang river.
Key Points
- > The Brahmaputra is known by different names: Tsangpo (Tibet), Dihang/Siang (Arunachal Pradesh), Brahmaputra (Assam), and Jamuna (Bangladesh).
- > It merges with the Padma (Ganga) in Bangladesh to form the Meghna before emptying into the Bay of Bengal.
- > Majuli, located on the Brahmaputra in Assam, is the largest river island in the world.
- > Namcha Barwa acts as the eastern anchor of the entire Himalayan mountain range.
- > The Ganga originates from the Gangotri glacier, while the Yamuna originates from the Yamunotri glacier in Uttarakhand.
Additional Information
Different Names of the Brahmaputra River
| Region / Country | Local Name of the River |
|---|---|
| Tibet (China) | Yarlung Tsangpo |
| Arunachal Pradesh (India) | Dihang / Siang |
| Assam (India) | Brahmaputra |
| Bangladesh | Jamuna |
Memory Tips
- Namcha Barwa = The Great Bend: Think of Namcha Barwa as a giant wall that forces the Tsangpo river to make a sharp 'hairpin bend' and enter India as the Dihang.