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easyQ. No. 14291-which-river-is-called-sindhu-in-ancient-texts

Which river is called 'Sindhu' in ancient texts?

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This question examines an important river-or-lake fact: “Which river is called 'Sindhu' in ancient texts?” The correct answer is Indus. The Indus River is called 'Sindhu' in ancient Sanskrit texts. The name 'India' itself is derived from 'Sindhu' (Indus). The Persians called it 'Hindu', the Greeks called it 'Indos', and the Romans called it 'Indus'. The entire Indian subcontinent gets its name from this river. A river system includes its source, tributaries, distributaries, drainage basin, watershed, channel, floodplain, delta or estuary and final outlet. River behaviour depends on relief, geology, rainfall, snowmelt, sediment load, vegetation and human intervention.

AGanga
BIndus
CBrahmaputra
DYamuna
Correct Answer: IndusYour Answer: B

Explanation

Correct Answer: Option B — Indus Sindhu is the ancient Sanskrit name of the Indus River. The river is prominently mentioned in the Rigveda and gave its name, through later linguistic forms, to terms associated with India. - Option A — Ganga: Ganga retains its sacred Sanskrit name and belongs to a separate eastern river system. - Option C — Brahmaputra: In Tibet the Brahmaputra is called Yarlung Tsangpo; in Arunachal Pradesh it is known as Siang or Dihang. - Option D — Yamuna: Yamuna is also called Kalindi in religious and literary traditions. Exam Takeaway: Sindhu is Indus, the principal river of the northwestern river system.

Important Notes

  • Sindhu is the Sanskrit name of the Indus and appears prominently in the Rigveda among the rivers of the northwest.
  • Indus rises in the Tibetan region near the Kailash range and flows through Ladakh before entering Pakistan.
  • Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej form the important eastern tributary group of the Indus system.
  • Sindhu should not be confused with Yarlung Tsangpo. Sindhu is Indus, while Yarlung Tsangpo is the Tibetan name of Brahmaputra.
  • Yamuna is also known as Kalindi, while Ganga is formed at Devprayag by the confluence of Bhagirathi and Alaknanda.

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