Brahmaputra and Indus rivers are antecedent rivers. Which one of the f

Brahmaputra and Indus rivers are antecedent rivers. Which one of the following may be the true definition of an antecedent drainage?

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Which follows the initial slope of the Himalaya

Which existed before the Himalayan range came into existence

Which followed the dip or rock beds of the Himalaya

Which followed the strikes of rock beds of the Himalaya

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-1 – 2019

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An antecedent drainage system is one where a river channel existed before the uplift of the landmass it now crosses. As the land is slowly uplifted (e.g., due to tectonic activity), the river maintains its course by eroding down through the rising ground, often cutting deep gorges. The Indus, Sutlej, and Brahmaputra rivers in the Himalayas are classic examples; they flowed in their channels before the Himalayas were fully uplifted and have cut through the mountain ranges as they rose. Option B accurately describes this process, stating the river existed before the mountain range came into existence.

Antecedent rivers predate the formation of the landforms they cut through and maintain their original course by eroding downwards.

Consequent drainage follows the initial slope of the land. Subsequent drainage follows the weaker rock strata, often aligned along the strike or dip of the rocks. Superimposed (or superposed) drainage is another type where a drainage system established on a younger rock layer cuts down through older underlying strata unrelated to the structure of the older rocks.

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