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 ✓ UPSC's answer
- (d) 4 only
Why the answer is (c)
• The Rigveda names the Punjab rivers, and their modern identifications are well settled.
• Vitasta is the Jhelum and Asikni is the Chenab, so pairs 1 and 2 have swapped the two rivers and are both wrong.
• Parushni is the Ravi — the river of the famous Battle of the Ten Kings (Dasharajna) — so pair 3 is correct.
• The Beas was called Vipas (or Vipasha); Yavyavati is a different Rigvedic river, usually identified with the Zhob in the north-west, so pair 4 is wrong.
• Hence only pair 3 is correctly matched.
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 and 2
- Vitasta is the Jhelum and Asikni the Chenab; both pairs are reversed.
- (b) 3 and 4
- Yavyavati is not the Beas (that was Vipas), so 4 is wrong.
- (d) 4 only
- Pair 4 is wrong and pair 3 (Parushni = Ravi) is correct.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026, held on 24 May 2026. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.