In the present study, we consider the q-homotopy analysis transform method to find the solution for modified Camassa–Holm and Degasperis–Procesi equations using the Caputo fractional operator. Both the considered equations are nonlinear and exemplify shallow water behaviour. We present the solution procedure for the fractional operator and the projected solution procedure gives a rapidly convergent series solution. The solution behaviour is demonstrated as compared with the exact solution and the response is plotted in 2D plots for a diverse fractional-order achieved by the Caputo derivative to show the importance of incorporating the generalised concept. The accuracy of the considered method is illustrated with available results in the numerical simulation. The convergence providence of the achieved solution is established in
-curves for a distinct arbitrary order. Moreover, some simulations and the important nature of the considered model, with the help of obtained results, shows the efficiency of the considered fractional operator and algorithm, while examining the nonlinear equations describing real-world problems.