Question

Many geologists say that the rivers of the Himalayas are older than the Himalayas themself. Try to find out the reason behind this.

Answer 1

1. The Himalayan drainage system includes India’s international rivers (Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra). The Great Himalayan rivers, including the Indus, Satluj, Ganga, Kali, Kamali, Gandak, Kosi, Tista, and Brahmaputra, are older than the Greater Himalayas.
2. Geologists and geomorphologists disagree on how the Himalayan rivers formed. The Himalayan rivers have a lengthy geological history. The major Himalayan rivers, including the Indus, Brahmaputra, Satluj, Ganga (Alaknanda and Bhagirathi), Gandak, Kali, Kosi, Tista, and Banas, originate on the southern slopes of the Tibetan Highlands.
3. Rivers such as the Indus, Satluj, and Brahmaputra flowed parallel to the mountain axis in longitudinal troughs before making sharp bends towards the south, creating deep gorges that led to India’s northern plains. The deep gorges formed by the Indus, Satluj, Alaknanda, Sarju (Kali), Gandak, Kosi, Tista, and Brahmaputra rivers are believed to be older than the Himalayan mountains and have a distinct character.