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

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

1. A. 1 and 2
2. B. 3 and 4
3. C. 3 only (Correct answer)
4. D. 4 only

Correct Answer

Option C — C

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Option C.

Key Points

• Explanation: Only Parushni : Ravi is correctly matched.
• Parushni is the Rigvedic name of the Ravi, and it is famous as the river on which the Dasarajna, the Battle of Ten Kings, was fought.
• Why the other pairs are wrong: Pairs 1 and 2 have simply been swapped — Vitasta is the Jhelum (not the Chenab), and Asikni is the Chenab (not the Jhelum).
• Pair 4 is also wrong: the Rigvedic name of the Beas is Vipasa, not Yavyavati.

Additional Information

• The principal Rigvedic river names are Sindhu (Indus), Vitasta (Jhelum), Asikni (Chenab), Parushni (Ravi), Vipasa (Beas), Shutudri (Sutlej), along with the Saraswati and Drishadvati.
• The Nadi-Sukta (Rigveda X.75) lists them roughly in order from east to west.