Question

Which of the following is the longest river in India?

• A. Godavari \mathbb{}
• B. Yamuna
• C. Brahmaputra
• D. Ganga

Hint:

Don't fall into the common trap with the Brahmaputra or Indus rivers! While they are longer than the Ganga when measured from their starting sources in Tibet to the sea, the Ganga holds the record for covering the longest distance inside the borders of India (2,525 km).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This is a factual geography question regarding the hydrological systems of the Indian subcontinent.
The "longest river in India" is defined as the river that covers the maximum distance within the political and geographical boundaries of the country. This distinguishes it from rivers that might be longer globally but flow mostly outside India.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's examine the lengths within Indian territory:
1. Ganga: Approximately 2,525 km. It is the longest river in India and is considered sacred in Indian culture.
2. Godavari: Approximately 1,465 km. It is known as the "Dakshin Ganga" and is the second-longest river in India.
3. Brahmaputra: It has a total length of 2,900 km, but a massive portion flows through Tibet (China) and Bangladesh. Its length inside India is only about 916 km.
4. Yamuna: It is the longest tributary in India, with a length of about 1,376 km.
Comparing these values, the Ganga is clearly the longest river based on its course within India.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The longest river in India is the Ganga. Thus, Option (D) is the correct choice.