The correct option is A-1, B-3, C-4, D-2
Explanation
The Indian drainage network is divided into the Himalayan and Peninsular systems. Major rivers in these systems are sustained by specific tributaries that define their catchment areas. Correctly associating these tributaries with their main rivers is fundamental to understanding India's river basins.
Analysis of Pairs
- A. Ganga - 1. Ghaghara: The Ghaghara is a major left-bank tributary of the Ganga. Originating near the Gurla Mandhata peak in Tibet, it flows through Nepal (as the Karnali) and joins the Ganga at Chhapra, Bihar. It is the second-longest tributary of the Ganga by length after the Yamuna and the largest by volume.
- B. Krishna - 3. Bhima: The Bhima River is a significant tributary of the Krishna River. It rises in the Bhimashankar hills of the Western Ghats in Maharashtra and flows southeast to join the Krishna in Karnataka. It is a crucial river in the Peninsular drainage system.
- C. Kaveri - 4. Kabini: The Kabini is a right-bank tributary of the Kaveri River. It originates in the Wayanad district of Kerala and joins the Kaveri at Tirumakudalu Narasipura in Karnataka. It is vital for the hydrology of the Kaveri basin.
- D. Godavari - 2. Pranhita: The Pranhita is the largest tributary of the Godavari River, covering a significant portion of its drainage basin. It is formed by the confluence of the Wardha and Wainganga rivers and joins the Godavari near Kaleshwaram in Telangana.
Key Takeaway: The Ghaghara is a tributary of the Ganga; the Bhima feeds the Krishna; the Kabini flows into the Kaveri; and the Pranhita is the largest tributary of the Godavari.