THE BRAHMAPUTRA

The Brahmaputra is the second longest river of India after the Ganges. The Brahmaputra is one of the greatest rivers of south Asia.

In ancient times, this river was variously known as ‘Oedanes’ or ‘Dyardanes’.

The Brahmaputra is the lifeline of the people of Assam. This is primarily because the Brahmaputra provides the Assamese people – who are basically agrarian by profession – the alternative source of water for irrigation around the year. The Brahmaputra is, therefore, a boon for the farmers of Assam especially when the monsoon lays truant.

The red river is the source of much folklore and lyrics of the people of the state.

It is the only river in India having a male name. In Sanskrit, the term ‘Brahmaputra’ means the son of the Hindu god having three heads, viz., Brahma.

Incidentally, the Brahmaputra has begins from China. It then traverses through Arunachal Pradesh to enter Assam. In Arunachal Pradesh, it is known as the Lohit.

The Brahmaputra is 1,800 miles or 2,900 km long.

The source of the Brahmaputra is in the Kailash Himalayan ranges in southwestern Tibet, now in China. In Tibet, the Brahmaputra is known as the ‘Yarlung Zangbo’.

The source of the Brahmaputra begins as a stream located at 16,000 ft or 4,900 m above the sea level.

This stream goes on an easterly course for approximately 900 miles or 1450 km into Tibet. This location of the stream is about 12,000 ft or 3660 m above the sea level.

From Tibet, the stream broadens slightly with swift flowing waters towards south.

Rising in the Kailash range of the Himalayas, at It then flows through the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam into Bangladesh, a neighboring located in the southern Asia. In Bangladesh, the Brahmaputra ultimately flows into the Bay of Bengal.

This young stage of the river enters the Assam plains after crossing the Himalayan ranges. The place where it enters the Indian state of Assam is known as the ‘Dihang’. Here, the Brahmaputra river enters its middle stage.

The riverine areas of the Brahmaputra widen and the speed of the Brahmaputra slows down to a considerable degree as it course through the lowland valley areas of Assam.

The Brahmaputra courses towards southwest near Sadiya in Assam. It is from this point that the river takes the name of Brahmaputra. The Brahmaputra proceeds south and enters Bangladesh after coursing for about 500 miles or 800 km.

The Brahmaputra breaks into two channels at the Ganges delta in Bangladesh. The primary channel takes the name of Jamuna River. The Jamuna River embraces the Ganges River to take the name of Padma. After a few kilometers, the Padma River is popularly called the Meghna River. It is the Meghna River that ultimately flows into the Bay of Bengal.

The plains through which the Brahmaputra flows is very alluvial. The farmers living on this widespread region cultivate rice, mustard, jute, besides other vegetables.

The Brahmaputra is navigable via steamers from Dibrugarh in Assam state to the the Bay of Bengal covering a distance of 800 miles or 1,290 km.