Abstract: The Peninsular region of India comprises diverse landscapes, characterized by ancient Proterozoic rocks. Generally regarded as a tectonically stable area, certain parts of this ancient terrain exhibit evidence of active tectonic processes through discernible geomorphic markers. Each river basin possesses a unique evolutionary history, subject to analysis across different time scales. Thus, our research primarily focused on Peninsular Rivers like Palar, Cauvery, Chambal, Luni, and Nyra, along with their adjacent rivers. These rivers showcase youthful features and geomorphic markers indicative of tectonic and climatic variability, enabling us to reconstruct the long-term landscape development of Peninsular India during the Late Quaternary Period. The assessment of tectonic controls on major Peninsular Rivers involved investigating geomorphic markers such as fluvial and marine terrace formation, gorges, longitudinal profiles, morphotectonic indices of active tectonics, paleochannels, and river capture. Our studies revealed distinct differences among West flowing, East flowing, and southern Peninsular Rivers. Geomorphic markers in westward rivers suggest predominant tectonic influence, with indications of major faults, gorges, and waterfalls, although the impact of rainfall cannot be completely ruled out. The disequilibrium in West flowing rivers is characterized by these tectonic signatures. In contrast, Southern Peninsular Rivers display morphological signs of disequilibrium, such as knickpoints, waterfalls, and river migration. Hence, we interpreted the dynamic response of Peninsular Rivers as a result of intricate interactions and feedback, arising from factors such as uplift/subsidence causing disequilibrium in both isostatic and tectonic forces, as well as Holocene monsoon and base level changes.

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