Rivers & Lakes of Rajasthan
Rajasthan's drainage is shaped by the Aravallis. Rivers are grouped by where their water finally goes: Arabian Sea system, Bay of Bengal system, and inland drainage (rivers that don't reach the sea).
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Rivers & lakes — true or false?
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Major rivers
| River | Note |
|---|---|
| Chambal | Perennial; longest river flowing through Rajasthan; Bay of Bengal system; Kota barrage, Gandhi Sagar |
| Banas | Largest river entirely within Rajasthan; tributary of Chambal; rises in the Aravallis (Khamnor hills) |
| Luni | Main river of western Rajasthan; saline in lower course; ends in the Rann of Kutch (inland/Arabian) |
| Mahi | Crosses southern Rajasthan; Arabian Sea system; Mahi Bajaj Sagar dam |
| Ghaggar | "Lost river"; inland drainage; disappears in the desert (Hanumangarh) |
Inland-drainage rivers (do not reach the sea): Ghaggar, Kantli, Kakni, Sabi, and the terminal part of the Luni system.
Major lakes
Saltwater lakes:
| Lake | Note |
|---|---|
| Sambhar | Largest inland saltwater lake in India; major salt source |
| Pachpadra | Barmer; high-quality salt |
| Didwana, Lunkaransar | Salt-producing lakes |
Freshwater lakes:
| Lake | Location |
|---|---|
| Jaisamand | Udaipur; among Asia's largest artificial freshwater lakes |
| Rajsamand | Rajsamand district |
| Pichola, Fateh Sagar | Udaipur ("City of Lakes") |
| Ana Sagar, Foy Sagar | Ajmer |
| Nakki Lake | Mount Abu |
| Siliserh | Alwar |
Dams & projects (link to economy)
- Indira Gandhi Canal — from Harike (Punjab) into the Thar; lifeline of western Rajasthan (Gang/IGNP canal).
- Chambal Valley Project — joint with MP; dams: Gandhi Sagar, Rana Pratap Sagar, Jawahar Sagar, Kota barrage.
- Mahi Bajaj Sagar — Banswara.
- Bisalpur — on the Banas; drinking water for Jaipur/Ajmer/Tonk.
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Drill: river → distinguishing fact
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Exam tip: Largest river entirely within Rajasthan = Banas. Longest through the state = Chambal. Largest saltwater lake = Sambhar. Udaipur = City of Lakes.
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