The Brahmaputra is a trans-boundary river which flows through Southwestern China, Northeastern India, and Bangladesh.. The Brahmaputra River is one of the major rivers of India, flowing through the northeastern states before entering Bangladesh. It is known by various names in different regions, reflecting the cultural, historical, and linguistic diversity of the areas it traverses. Below are the different names of the Brahmaputra River in India, along with their significance and regional relevance.
1. Brahmaputra :
The most commonly known name of the river, “Brahmaputra,” is of Sanskrit origin, meaning “Son of Brahma” (Brahma – the Hindu creator god, and Putra – son). It is the only major river in India with a masculine name, unlike most other rivers that have feminine names.
2. Siang (Tibet and Arunachal Pradesh) :
Before entering India, the river is called the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet. As it enters Arunachal Pradesh, it is known as the Siang River. The Siang Valley is an important part of the river’s journey, where it carves deep gorges through the Himalayas.
3. Dihang (Arunachal Pradesh) :
After flowing through the upper reaches of Arunachal Pradesh, the Brahmaputra is also called Dihang. This name is commonly used in the Dibang Valley region before the river descends into Assam.
4. Lohit (Arunachal Pradesh and Assam) :
One of the major tributaries of the Brahmaputra is the Lohit River, which joins the main river system in Assam. However, in some local traditions, the name Lohit is also used interchangeably with Brahmaputra in Arunachal Pradesh.
5. Burha Luit (Assam) :
In Assam, the Brahmaputra is often referred to as Burha Luit, meaning “Old Luit” in Assamese. “Luit” is derived from the ancient Ahom language, which refers to rivers or flowing water bodies.
6. Luit (Assam) :
Another widely used name in Assamese folklore and literature is simply Luit. It is used in many traditional songs and cultural expressions to denote the sacred nature of the river.
7. Red River (Assam) :
Historical references, the Brahmaputra is called the Red River due to the reddish silt it carries during monsoons, especially noticeable in Assam.
8. Tsangpo (Tibet and Arunachal Pradesh) :
Before entering India, the river is known as the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet. Some communities in Arunachal Pradesh still refer to it as Tsangpo due to its Tibetan origins.
9. Dibang (Arunachal Pradesh and Assam) :
The Dibang River, a major tributary of the Brahmaputra, sometimes lends its name to the main river, especially in the Dibang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh.
10. Sesa (Arunachal Pradesh – Local Usage) :
In some local traditions and oral histories of Arunachal Pradesh, the river is referred to as Sesa, meaning a mighty river.
11. Jamuna (Bangladesh, but Also Used in Assam Border Areas) :
When the Brahmaputra enters Bangladesh, it is called the Jamuna River. However, in border regions of Assam, people sometimes refer to it as Jamuna, especially in folk songs and poetry.
12. Majuli River (Informal Name in Assam) :
Majuli, the world’s largest river island, is formed by the Brahmaputra in Assam. Some locals informally call the river around the island the Majuli River, though this is not an official name.
13. Sorrow of Assam :
Due to its frequent and devastating floods, the Brahmaputra is sometimes called the “Sorrow of Assam.” It overflows its banks annually, causing destruction but also bringing fertile silt.
14. Narayani (Mythological Reference) :
In some Hindu texts, the Brahmaputra is associated with the divine and is sometimes linked to the name Narayani, though this name is more commonly associated with other rivers like the Gandaki in Nepal.
15. Meghna (Post-Bangladesh Confluence, But Occasionally Used in India) :
Brahmaputra merges with the Ganges in Bangladesh, it forms the Meghna River. In some parts of India close to Bangladesh, people refer to it as Meghna in geographical discussions.
16. Bhogdoi (Tributary Influence in Assam) :
While Bhogdoi is a tributary, in certain poetic and traditional references, this name has been used metaphorically for the Brahmaputra.
17. Deha (Old Assamese and Arunachali Usage) :
Some ancient texts and folklore in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh refer to the river as Deha, symbolizing its purity and grandeur.
18. Kangki (Local Tribal Name in Arunachal Pradesh) :
Among some tribal communities in Arunachal Pradesh, the river is called Kangki, meaning the “Mighty Flowing Water.”
19. Manas (Tributary-Based Name in Assam) :
The Manas River is an important tributary of the Brahmaputra. In certain local traditions, the Brahmaputra itself is sometimes referred to as Manas in religious contexts.
20. Dhaneswari (Religious and Mythological Reference in Assam) :
Some Assamese scriptures and religious texts refer to Brahmaputra as Dhaneswari, linking it to the wealth and prosperity it brings to the region
Conclusion
The Brahmaputra River, with its multiple names across different states and regions, reflects the deep cultural and geographical significance it holds in India. From Siang and Dihang in Arunachal Pradesh to Burha Luit and Sorrow of Assam in Assam, each name carries a history and a meaning unique to the people who live along its banks.
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