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Question 33 of 131 · Rivers, Lakes & Dams of India
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SSC

The Indus river (Sindhu) originates from the:

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Answer: Option C — Bokhar Chu glacier near Mansarovar in Tibet

Detailed Solution

The Indus rises from a glacier near Bokhar Chu, in the Kailash range of Tibet (China), at an altitude of about 4,164 metres, north of Lake Mansarovar.

Names of the Indus:

In Tibet, it is called "Singi Khamban" or "Senge Zangbo", meaning "Lion's Mouth".

In India and Pakistan, it is the Indus or Sindhu. The name "India" itself is derived from "Indus", through Greek and Persian forms, and "Hindu" from "Sindhu".

Course of the Indus:

  • Total length: about 2,880 to 3,180 km.
  • It flows north-west through Tibet and enters India in Ladakh near Demchok.
  • It flows between the Ladakh and Zaskar ranges, past Leh.
  • It enters Pakistan (Gilgit-Baltistan) and turns sharply south near the Nanga Parbat massif, cutting a deep gorge.
  • It flows the length of Pakistan and enters the Arabian Sea near Karachi, forming a large delta.

Tributaries:

Its five great left-bank tributaries from India and Pakistan are the Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej; several right-bank tributaries come from the north and west.

Indus in India:

  • Only about 1,114 km of the river flows through Indian territory (including areas claimed by India).
  • The Sindhu Darshan Festival is held every June at Leh, on the banks of the Indus.

Indus Waters Treaty (1960):

  • India and Pakistan signed the Indus Waters Treaty with the help of the World Bank.
  • The waters of the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) were given to India, and those of the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) mostly to Pakistan.
  • In April 2025, India placed the treaty "in abeyance" after a terror attack in Kashmir.

Indus Valley Civilisation:

The river gave its name to the Indus Valley (Harappan) Civilisation, one of the world's earliest urban civilisations.

Why not the other options?

  • ✗Verinag spring and Kolahoi glacier are linked with the Jhelum and its tributaries in Kashmir.
  • ✗Nanda Devi's glaciers feed rivers of the Ganga system.

Quick tip

Remember: Indus rises near Bokhar Chu glacier (Tibet, north of Mansarovar); called Singi Khamban in Tibet; enters India in Ladakh.

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Rivers, Lakes & Dams of India — Preparation

This question tests your understanding of Rivers, Lakes & Dams of India, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.

This topic covers India's drainage system: the Himalayan rivers (the Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra systems), the peninsular rivers (Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, Narmada, Tapi and Mahanadi), their tributaries and origins, waterfalls, lakes, and the major dams and multipurpose river projects. Exams ask about the origin of a river, its tributaries, the cities on its banks, and the river on which a dam is built. For example, the Bhakra Nangal Dam is on the Sutlej, the Hirakud Dam on the Mahanadi, and the Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada. Remember that the Narmada and Tapi flow west into the Arabian Sea, while most peninsular rivers flow east. Practise the rivers, lakes and dams of India questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.

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