Rivers and lakes of Rajasthan

Rajasthan is a dry state, but not a riverless one. The Chambal flows through deep gorges in the south-east; the Mahi loops through the tribal hills of the south; the Luni runs across the desert and turns salty; and the Ghaggar simply disappears into the sand. Its lakes — from the vast salt flats of Sambhar to the palaces reflected in Pichola — are as much a part of its history as its forts. For RAS, rivers and lakes produce a steady supply of questions on sources, courses, tributaries, dams and features.

Three drainage systems

The Aravallis divide Rajasthan's drainage into three systems:

The Chambal

• Rises in the Janapav hills near Mhow (Madhya Pradesh).
• Enters Rajasthan near Chaurasigarh (Chittorgarh); flows through Kota; forms the Rajasthan–Madhya Pradesh border for a long stretch; joins the Yamuna in Uttar Pradesh.
• Rajasthan's only large perennial river.
• Known for gorges and the ravines of Dholpur and Sawai Madhopur.

The National Chambal Sanctuary (shared by Rajasthan, MP and UP) protects gharials, Gangetic dolphins and turtles.

The Banas

• Rises in the Khamnor hills near Kumbhalgarh (Rajsamand).
• The longest river flowing entirely within Rajasthan.
• Flows through Rajsamand, Chittorgarh, Bhilwara, Ajmer, Tonk and Sawai Madhopur; joins the Chambal near Rameshwar (Sawai Madhopur), where a triveni (confluence) is formed with the Seep.
• The Bisalpur dam (Tonk) supplies drinking water to Jaipur and Ajmer.
• Tributaries include Berach, Kothari, Khari, Dai, Menali and Morel.

The Luni

• Rises in the Nag hills near Ajmer (where it is called Sagarmati).
• Flows south-west across the desert through Nagaur, Jodhpur, Balotra, Barmer and Jalore.
• Its water is sweet in the upper course but becomes saline after Balotra — hence the name (lavan = salt).
• Ends in the Rann of Kutch — it does not reach the sea as a river.
• Tributaries: Jawai, Sukri, Mithri, Bandi, Guhiya, Jojari (the Jojari joins from the right).

The Mahi

• Rises in the Vindhyas in Madhya Pradesh; enters Rajasthan in Banswara.
• Flows through Banswara and Dungarpur, then into Gujarat, entering the Gulf of Khambhat.
• It crosses the Tropic of Cancer twice — a favourite Prelims fact.
• The Mahi Bajaj Sagar dam (Banswara) provides irrigation and hydropower.
• At Baneshwar (Dungarpur), the Mahi meets the Som and Jakham — the site of the tribal Baneshwar fair.
• Sometimes called the "Ganga of Vagad" (Kanthal ki Ganga).

The Ghaggar and inland drainage

• The Ghaggar flows from the Shivaliks through Haryana into Hanumangarh, where it fades into the sand in most years.
• Many scholars identify it with the ancient Saraswati; Harappan sites such as Kalibangan lie along it.
• Its dry bed is locally called Nali or Hakra.

Lakes

Saltwater lakes

Freshwater lakes

Ramsar sites of Rajasthan

Practice

Prelims-style:

1. Which is the longest river flowing entirely within Rajasthan?
2. Which river crosses the Tropic of Cancer twice?
3. Why is the Luni called a saline river?
4. Which is India's largest inland saltwater lake?
5. Which lake's embankment carries the Raj Prashasti?

Mains-style (50 words): What is meant by inland drainage? Give examples from Rajasthan.

Mains-style (100 words): Discuss the importance of the Chambal river for Rajasthan's economy and ecology.