Identify the river of the Indian sub-continent: 1. It has an antecedent drainage system. 2. It flows

Question

Identify the river of the Indian sub-continent: 1. It has an antecedent drainage system. 2. It flows through three countries. 3. It originates in the Tibetan Plateau and is an important irrigation river. 4. It does not form distributaries.

Accepted Answer

The Sutlej perfectly matches all criteria: antecedent drainage (predates Himalayan upliftment); flows through China (Tibet), India, and Pakistan; originates from Rakshastal near Mansarovar in Tibet; feeds the Bhakra-Nangal Dam and Indira Gandhi Canal. Crucially, it does not form distributaries — it merges with the Chenab to form Panjnad, which flows into the Indus. Brahmaputra and Indus form deltas with distributaries.