Rivers in medieval Europe supplied the water that sustained cities and the sewers that carried away city waste and were widely used, either directly or with offtakes, as power sources.

Civilizations developed around rivers because their waters provided places to hunt and fish. Also, as the rivers flooded, the lands around them became fertile. This allowed them to support farming. This is especially true of the Nile River, which flooded the same time each year.

The civilization of Ancient Mesopotamia grew up along the banks of two great rivers, the Euphrates and the Tigris. In the midst of a vast desert, the peoples of Mesopotamia relied upon these rivers to provide drinking water, agricultural irrigation, and major transportation routes.

The land along the rivers is fertile. If there is fertile land, then crops can be grown. Animals can also be raised if there is enough food and water for them. People learned that they could stay in one place and grow enough food to feed their community, if they were near a water supply.

Early settlements grew near the river valleys due to the availibility of fresh water for drinking and irrigation purposes. Soil near the river valleys was also fertile which helped in agricultural activities.

They ate wild berries, roots, fruits, insects, worms and flesh of small animals. They used their bare hands to kill small animals. They did not wear any clothes and their bodies were covered with thick hair.

Historically, humans have chosen to live close to rivers for domestic and agricultural water supply as well as for navigation purposes, which has led humans to follow the courses of rivers during migrations1,2,3 and locate in proximity to rivers when establishing settlements4,5.

Whilst on a global scale about 70% of the population lives within 5 km of the closest water feature, this is around 80% for temperate and cold regions. On the other hand, only 55% of the population in arid areas lives within 5 km of the nearest water feature.

For this reason, farmers often settled near rivers. A river’s natural flooding could help irrigate their farms. Farmers could also dig canals or trenches to direct river water to their crops. For example, farmers in Mesopotamia dug canals for this purpose.

It was known as the land between rivers. The Tigris and Euphrates provided means of transportation and water for the people who settled in the area. Explanation: It was easier to travel by boat than by land in ancient times.

Rivers carry water and nutrients to areas all around the earth. They play a very important part in the water cycle, acting as drainage channels for surface water. Rivers drain nearly 75% of the earth’s land surface.

Humans use rivers for irrigation in agriculture, for drinking water, for transportation, to produce electricity through hydroelectric dams, and for leisure activities like swimming and boating.

The Brahmaputra, one of the mightiest rivers in the world, runs through Assam like a throbbing vein, sustaining lives and livelihood along its banks. In their place flowed the Brahmaputra, an angry and swirling river of mud.

A number of Hindu temples are located on its banks. The importance of Bagmati also lies in the fact that Hindus are cremated on the banks of this holy river, and Kirants are buried in the hills by its side….Bagmati River.

People call it the river of destruction. It is called the river of destruction….Voice for MATS Examination.

Answer. Answer: Sutlej is a trans-Himalayan river.

Mapchu Chungo spring is the spiritual source of Karnali River. It is known as Mapcha Khambab in Tibet, which means the river originating from a peacock’s mouth. The Mapcha Khambab becomes the Karnali in Nepal and Ghaghara in India. It is the largest tributary of the Ganga by volume.

Some of the famous peninsular rivers include Kaveri, Narmada, Tapi, Krishna, Mahanadi and Godavari. As compared to Himalayan Rivers, these rivers are shorter, do not have high erosion activity, and have smaller basin and catchment areas.

The major Himalayan Rivers are the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra. These rivers are long, and are joined by many large and important tributaries.

Shakeel Anwar

Answer

• Most of these rivers are perennial in nature i.e. they have water through out the year.
• They receive water from rain as well as the melted snow from the mountains.
• Himalayan rivers cover long routes before falling into the sea.
• They cut through mountains making gorges.

Source of Rivers: Snow melt in summer provides water to these rivers even during dry season and these are perennial rivers. The Himalayan Rivers, along with hundreds of their tributaries, form the very basis of life in the whole of north India.

The Himalayan Rivers rise in the snow covered mountains and they flow throughout the year. They are therefore also called perennial rivers. The Himalayan Rivers flow in levelled Northern Plains. Therefore, they are quite useful for irrigation purpose.

• Himalayan rivers are perrenial i.e.they flow throughout the year.
• Himalayan rivers have long and deep courses.
• Himalayan rivers perform erosional activity in their upper courses.
• They get water from glaciers as well as from rain.
• They have large drainage basins.