UPSC Prelims 2026 · GS Paper 1 · Question 13
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 :
Correct answer: Option C
History
Options
- (a) 1 and 2
- (b) 3 and 4
- (c) 3 only
- (d) 4 only
Detailed solution
Answer
Option (C) — 3 only
Explanation
- The ancient Vedic names of Punjab rivers and their modern equivalents are well-established in Indian history.
- Vitasta is the ancient name for Jhelum (not Chenab), Asikni is the ancient name for Chenab (not Jhelum), Parushni is the ancient name for Ravi, and Yavyavati (Vipasha) is actually the Beas but the ancient name for Beas is Vipas/Vipasha, not Yavyavati.
- The correct sequence is: Vitasta-Jhelum, Asikni-Chenab, Parushni-Ravi, Vipasha-Beas, Shutudri-Sutlej.
Statement Analysis
- 1. Vitasta - Chenab: Incorrect. Vitasta is the ancient name for the Jhelum river, not Chenab.
- 2. Asikni - Jhelum: Incorrect. Asikni is the ancient name for the Chenab river, not Jhelum.
- 3. Parushni - Ravi: Correct. Parushni is the well-established ancient Vedic name for the Ravi river.
- 4. Yavyavati - Beas: Incorrect. The ancient name for Beas is Vipasha (Hyphasis in Greek). Yavyavati is not the standard ancient name for Beas.