Correct Option
The correct option is (a) 1 only.
Explanation
The Brahmaputra is one of the largest rivers in the world, forming a critical part of the Himalayan drainage system. It is an antecedent river that originates in the Trans-Himalayan region and traverses three countries: China (Tibet), India, and Bangladesh.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct: The Brahmaputra rises in Tibet, east of Mansarovar Lake, very close to the sources of the Indus and the Satluj. Its source is specifically associated with the Chemayungdung glacier of the Kailash range.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Brahmaputra is slightly longer than the Indus, not shorter. While the Indus has a total length of approximately 2,880 km, the Brahmaputra extends for about 2,900 km.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: Most of the Brahmaputra's course lies outside India. It flows eastward parallel to the Himalayas in Tibet (where it is known as the Yarlung Tsangpo) for a significant distance before entering India through Arunachal Pradesh.
Key Takeaway: The Brahmaputra originates near the Mansarovar Lake in Tibet, is slightly longer than the Indus, and flows primarily through Tibet before entering India and subsequently Bangladesh.