SSC
'Vitasta', a river mentioned in the Rigveda, is the ancient name of the:
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Answer: Option C — Jhelum
Detailed Solution
The river Jhelum was called "Vitasta" in the Rigveda and other ancient Sanskrit texts.
About the Jhelum (Vitasta):
- It rises from the Verinag spring, at the foot of the Pir Panjal range, in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir.
- It flows through the Kashmir valley, passing through Srinagar and the Wular lake (one of the largest freshwater lakes in India).
- It then flows through a deep gorge into Pakistan.
- It joins the Chenab at Trimmu in Pakistan.
- The Kashmiri name "Vyeth" comes from "Vitasta".
- "Vyeth Truvah", the birthday of the river, is celebrated by Kashmiri Pandits.
Rivers of the Punjab region:
- The Punjab region ("land of five rivers") is named after the five tributaries of the Indus: the Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej.
- All five had different names in the Rigveda.
Projects on the Jhelum:
- The Uri hydroelectric project and the Kishanganga project (on its tributary) in Jammu and Kashmir.
- The Mangla Dam in Pakistan.
- Under the Indus Waters Treaty (1960), the waters of the Jhelum, Chenab and Indus (the "western rivers") were allocated mainly to Pakistan, while India got the Ravi, Beas and Sutlej (the "eastern rivers").
Why not the other options?
- ✗The Ravi, Beas and Chenab each had their own Vedic names.
Quick tip
Remember: Vitasta = Jhelum (rises at Verinag; flows through Srinagar and Wular lake).
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Vedic Period — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Vedic Period, 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.
The Vedic period followed the arrival of the Indo-Aryans and is divided into the Early (Rig Vedic) and Later Vedic ages. This topic covers the four Vedas, the Brahmanas, Aranyakas and Upanishads, Vedic society, polity, economy and religion, and the rivers and gods mentioned in Vedic texts. Exams often ask which Veda deals with what (the Sama Veda with music, the Atharva Veda with charms and medicine), the most important Rig Vedic god (Indra), and Vedic assemblies such as the Sabha and Samiti. Note how society changed from the Early to the Later Vedic age, especially the rise of the varna system and the growth of kingship. Practise the Vedic period 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.