Identification of Brahmaputra

Summary

In this geographical note the author examines ancient literary references to the Brahmaputra river to determine whether they refer to the same river known today or to different streams. He analyses Vedic hymns, Puranic descriptions and Chinese pilgrim accounts that mention a mighty northern river. By correlating these descriptions with topographic features, the author argues that early references conflate the Brahmaputra with the Lohit and Dibang tributaries. He discusses how the river’s course changes seasonally and over centuries, complicating identification. The note also reviews etymological explanations of the name ‘Brahmaputra’, often interpreted as ‘son of Brahma’. It suggests that the name may have arisen from mythological associations rather than strict geography. Ultimately, the article concludes that the ancient sources do refer to the same great river that flows through Assam and Bangladesh, but their depictions reflect limited geographical knowledge and mythic embellishment.