Ghaghara
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Overview
The Ghaghara rises in Tibet, flows through Nepal as the Karnali and enters India to flow through Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, where it joins the Ganga. It is one of the left-bank Himalayan tributaries of the Ganga.
In history, Babur's last major battle was fought on the Ghaghara in 1529, after Panipat (1526), Khanwa (1527) and Chanderi (1528).
Geography and key facts
- Rises in Tibet; called the Karnali in Nepal
- Left-bank tributary of the Ganga; joins it in Bihar
- Battle of Ghaghara: Babur, 1529
Why it matters for UPSC
Asked on the Himalayan rivers that join the Ganga below Prayagraj (2024) and a river map question (1997).
Note for UPSC
Rises in Tibet, flows through Nepal as the Karnali and joins the Ganga in Bihar.
Prelims asks about tributaries, the states a river flows through, its basin and the projects on it, so trace the course on the map.
Asked in PYQs
- UPSC Prelims 2024 · Q6With reference to the Himalayan rivers joining the Ganga downstream of Prayagraj from West to East, which one of the following sequences is correct ?…
- UPSC Prelims 1997 · Q76In the map shown in the given figure, rivers labelled as 1, 2, 3 and 4 are respectively…
Questions from our Prelims bank whose text names Ghaghara.
Key facts
- Type
- River
- States / UTs on its course
- Uttar Pradesh, Bihar
- River system
- Himalayan
- Basin
- Ganga
- Extent on map
- 25.7°–30.6°N, 80.7°–84.8°E
- Asked in Prelims
- 2 questions · 2024, 1997
From the Map Explorer data; positions are for orientation.
In the lessons
- Physical Features and Drainage of India
- The Mughal Empire from Babur to Aurangzeb
- Drainage Systems of India: Himalayan and Peninsular Rivers
- The Harappan (Indus Valley) Civilisation (map lesson)
- Harappan Civilisation: Sites, Town Planning and Phases (map lesson)
- Mahajanapadas and the Rise of Magadha (map lesson)