✅ UPSC CSE 2026 | Ancient & Modern River Names (Rigveda)

Question:

Which of the following pairs of ancient and modern names of rivers is/are correctly matched?

1. Vitasta : Chenab
2. Asikni : Jhelum
3. Parushni : Ravi
4. Yavyavati : Beas

Select the answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 3 and 4
(c) 3 only
(d) 4 only

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✅ Correct Answer: (c) 3 only

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Detailed Explanation (100% Accurate | NCERT + Standard Sources)

This question tests your knowledge of Rigvedic river names (Sapta Sindhu region).

Correct Matching (Standard & Universally Accepted)

Ancient (Rigvedic) Name	Modern Name	Status	Remarks
Vitasta	Jhelum	Correct	Most accepted identification
Asikni	Chenab	Correct	Also called Chandrabhaga
Parushni	Ravi	Correct	Site of Battle of Ten Kings (Dasarajna)
Vipasa / Vipash	Beas	Correct	Yavyavati ≠ Beas
Shutudri / Shatadru	Sutlej	Correct	–
Yavyavati	Not Beas	Incorrect	Scholarly views vary (possibly a branch or Zhob river area)

Key Point:
Option 4 is wrong because the Rigvedic name of Beas is Vipasa (Vipash), not Yavyavati.

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Why Only Pair 3 is Correct?

• Pair 1 (Vitasta : Chenab) → Wrong
  Vitasta = Jhelum
  Chenab’s Vedic name = Asikni
• Pair 2 (Asikni : Jhelum) → Wrong
  Asikni = Chenab
  Jhelum’s Vedic name = Vitasta
• Pair 3 (Parushni : Ravi) → Correct
  Parushni (also called Iravati in later texts) is universally accepted as the Ravi river.
  Famous for the Battle of the Ten Kings mentioned in Rigveda.
• Pair 4 (Yavyavati : Beas) → Wrong
  Beas = Vipasa
  Yavyavati is a different river mentioned in Rigveda (RV 6.27.6). Scholars identify it variously (sometimes linked to Drishadvati or a western tributary), but never as Beas.

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Complete List of Major Rigvedic Rivers (Must Remember for UPSC)

Rigvedic Name	Modern Name	Greek Name (if any)
Sindhu	Indus	–
Vitasta	Jhelum	Hydaspes
Asikni	Chenab	Acesines
Parushni / Iravati	Ravi	Hydraotes
Vipasa	Beas	Hyphasis
Shutudri	Sutlej	Hesidrus
Sarasvati	Ghaggar-Hakra (debated)	–

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Visual Reference: Rigvedic Rivers Map

Map showing major Rigvedic rivers including Vitasta, Asikni, Parushni, Vipas, etc.

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UPSC Strategy & Mnemonics

Easy Mnemonic for Punjab Rivers (West to East):

“Very Active People Visit Shimla”
Vitasta → Jhelum
Asikni → Chenab
Parushni → Ravi
Vipasa → Beas
Shutudri → Sutlej

Pro Tip for Prelims:

• Whenever you see Parushni → immediately think Ravi
• Yavyavati is a low-frequency name → usually a distractor in exams

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Why This Question is Important?

• Direct from Rigvedic Geography (Early Vedic Period)
• Frequently asked in UPSC Prelims (match the following / pairs type)
• Helps in understanding Sapta Sindhu region
• Overlaps with Ancient History + Geography

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CrackTarget Summary Line (Revise in 10 seconds):

Only Parushni = Ravi is correctly matched in the given options.
Beas = Vipasa (not Yavyavati)

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Prepared with complete accuracy for UPSC CSE 2026 aspirants.
Based on Rigveda, Wikipedia scholarly consensus, NCERT references & standard UPSC material.

#UPSC2026 #Rigveda #AncientGeography #SaptaSindhu #CrackTarget

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