<–2/”>a >The word Punjab is made of two words Punj (Five) + Aab (Water) i.e. land of five rivers. It is named so because of the five rivers flowing through this land and these five rivers of Punjab are Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, Chenab and Jhelum. Historically, Punjab was the name of the region containing today’s states of Punjab (Pakistan), Punjab (India), Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Delhi. The rivers flowing through this region are an important geographical feature of this land, thus made this region popular with the name ‘land of five rivers’ or ‘Punjab’.
As of today, only two rivers Sutlej and Beas flow through Punjab state in India. The third river Ravi flows partially in Punjab, mainly along the international boundary of India and Pakistan and then enters Pakistan. The other two rivers Chenab and Jhelum flow in the Punjab state in Pakistan. All these five rivers are tributaries of Indus River. All these five rivers finally merge into Indus river directly or indirectly and the Indus then terminates into Arabian Sea near Karachi city in Pakistan. These rivers, including the Indus river are considered part of Indus Valley River System.
Greeks referred to this region as Pentapotamia, an inland delta of five converging rivers. This name was given to the region as five rivers of Punjab converge together to form the Indus river.
In the Indian mythological texts Puranas and Mahabharata, this region is named as Pancha-Nada which also means land of five rivers.
Before the arrival of Aryans in India, Punjab used to be known with the name Sapat Sindhu. The word Sapat Sindhu means the land of seven rivers. These seven rivers were Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, Chenab, Jhelum, Saraswati (mythological river) and Sindhu.
Drainage System of Punjab ” width=”300″ height=”225″ />
Indus Waters Treaty:
The rivers of Indus Valley River System flow through India and then enter into Pakistan. To share the water of these rivers between the two countries, a treaty called Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) was signed by India and Pakistan in 1960 at Karachi. The agreement was brokered by World Bank and it was signed by Jawaharlal Nehru (P.M. of India) and Ayub Khan (President of Pakistan). According to this treaty, the waters of three eastern rivers i.e. Satluj, Beas and Ravi are allocated to India and waters of three western rivers i.e. Chenab, Jhelum and Indus are assigned to Pakistan.
List of Five Rivers of Punjab
A list of five rivers of Punjab with details like place of origion, its path, tributaries of each river, merging with the other rivers or ocean and other important details are given below:
- Sutlej
- Beas
- Ravi
- Chenab
- Jhelum
The following table shows a summary of all the five rivers of Punjab:
| Name | Length | Place of Origin | Terminates in |
| Sutlej | 1500 | Rakshastal lake in Tibet | Chenab river |
| Beas | 470 | Beas Kund in Himalayas, Himachal Pradesh | Sutlej river at Harike in Tarn Taran district |
| Ravi | 720 | Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh | Chenab river |
| Chenab | 960 | Upper Himalayas in Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh | Merge with Sutlej and forms Panjnad river, which flows into Indus river |
| Jhelum | 725 | Verinag spring in Kashmir | Chenab river |
Sutlej
Sutlej (or Satluj) is the eastern most tributary of Indus river. Its Sanskrit name is Shatadru. The source of origin is Rakshastal Lake in Tibet. Some geologists consider the source as Mansrover lake. The two lakes Mansrover and Rakshastal are very huge lakes in Tibet region and close to each other. The water of Mansrover lake overflows into Rakshastal lake. The river enters India in Himachal Pradesh and then enters Ropar district of Punjab. The river Beas merges with it at Harike in Tarn Taran district. It unites with Chenab river near Uch Sharif in Pakistan, forming the Panjnad river. The Panjnad river merges with the Indus river at a distance of 100 Km from Bahawalpur city in Pakistan. The total length of Sutlej is around 1500 Km. This is the longest river of Punjab.
Bhakra Dam is one of the biggest Dams in India and its reservoir Gobind Sagar Lake is the second largest reservoir in India in terms of water storage capacity. Nangal Dam, Karcham Wangtoo Dam, Nathpa Jhakri Dam are the other main dams on this river.
Beas
Beas is named Arjikiya in Vedas and ancient name in sanskrit is Vipasa. Beas river originates from Beas Kund (also called Vyas Kund) in Himalaya Mountains in Himachal Pradesh. It enters Punjab in Hoshiarpur district. The total length of the river is approximately 470 Km and terminates by merging with Sutlej river at Harike in Tarn Taran district of Punjab. Pong dam and Pandoh dam are the two main dams built on this river. Pong Dam, also called as Maharana Partap Sagar, is located in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. Pandoh dam is located in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh and it diverts the waters of Beas river to Sutlej river.
Ravi
Vedic name of Ravi is Purushini and its name is Iravati in sanskrit. Ravi river rises in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh and enters into Punjab in Pathankot district. The river flows along the international border of India and Pakistan separating the Gurdaspur and Amritsar districts of Punjab from Pakistan. It flows for a total length of around 720 Km and finally terminates by merging with Chenab river near Ahmadpur Sial town in Pakistan. Major dams on this river are Ranjit Sagar dam (or Thein Dam), Shahpur Kandi dam, Chamera dam, Karcham dam and Kaushalya dam.
Chenab
This river is known with the name Askani in Vedas and its sanskrit name is Chandrabahga. Chenab river starts in upper Himalayas in Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. It then flows through the Jammu region in Jammu and Kashmir state and enters into Punjab state in Pakistan. The river does not flow through the today’s state of Punjab in India. The total length of this river is around 960 Km. The river Jhelum join it at Trimmu and then Ravi joins it near Ahmedpur Sial. It then merges with Sutlej to form the Panjnad river. The Panjnad river then merge with the Indus river which terminates by flowing into the Arabian Sea.
Jhelum
The Vedic and Sanskrit name of Jhelum is Vitasta. Jhelum river originates through Verinag Spring located in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The place is located in Verinag, around 80 Km distance from Srinagar. It is the western most of the five rivers of Punjab and is a tributary of Chenab river. The river flows through Jammu and Kashmir state in India and then enters Punjab state in Pakistan. It does not flow through state of Punjab in India; neither touches its boundry at any place. The total length of the river is around 725 Km and it terminates into Chenab river near Trimmu in Jhang district.
Doab Regions In Punjab The area between two rivers is called Doab. This word is made of two persian words “Do” meaning two and “Ab” meaning water or river. So according to the rivers flowing in this region, the area is divided into various Doab which are named according to the name of rivers that form a particular doab. The name of these Doab regions are given below:
- Bist Doab – The area between Beas and Sutlej rivers is called Bist Doab. The region is also called as Jullundhar Doab, after the name of major city of Jullundhar or Jalandhar in this region. This is also called as “Doaba” and “Doabi” dialect of Punjabi language is the main spoken language of this area. Punjab state is divided into three regions Majha, Malwa and Doabaaccording to the language and culture.
- Bari Doab – The area enclosed between Beas and Ravi rivers is called Bari doab. This is part of the Majha region of Punjab. Majhi dialect of Punjabi language is the main spoken language of this area.
- Rechna Doab – This is the area between Ravi and Chenab rivers. This area is in Punjab province in Pakistan. This is also part of Majha region.
- Jech Doab – This is the area between Jhelum river and Chenab river and named so as of combination of names of these two rivers. This is also part of Majha region.
- Sind Sagar Doab – This is the area between Jhelum and Indus (also called Sind) rivers.
,
The Punjab region is located in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent. It is a land of five rivers, the Indus, Chenab, Ravi, Sutlej, and Beas. These rivers have played a vital role in the history and development of the region.
The Indus River is the longest river in Pakistan and the second-longest river in India. It originates in the Tibetan Plateau and flows through Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Sindh. The Indus River is a major source of Irrigation and drinking water for the people of Punjab.
The Chenab River is the second-longest river in Punjab. It originates in the Himalayas and flows through Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Punjab. The Chenab River is a major source of irrigation and drinking water for the people of Punjab.
The Ravi River is the third-longest river in Punjab. It originates in the Himalayas and flows through Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Punjab. The Ravi River is a major source of irrigation and drinking water for the people of Punjab.
The Sutlej River is the fourth-longest river in Punjab. It originates in the Himalayas and flows through Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana. The Sutlej River is a major source of irrigation and drinking water for the people of Punjab.
The Beas River is the fifth-longest river in Punjab. It originates in the Himalayas and flows through Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. The Beas River is a major source of irrigation and drinking water for the people of Punjab.
The Ghaggar-Hakra River is a seasonal river that flows through Punjab and Haryana. It is a tributary of the Indus River. The Ghaggar-Hakra River was once a major river, but it has dried up in recent years.
The Satluj-Yamuna Link Canal is a canal that connects the Satluj River and the Yamuna River. It is a major source of irrigation water for the people of Punjab.
The Western Yamuna Canal is a canal that branches off from the Satluj-Yamuna Link Canal. It irrigates the western part of Punjab.
The Eastern Yamuna Canal is a canal that branches off from the Satluj-Yamuna Link Canal. It irrigates the eastern part of Punjab.
The Sirhind Canal is a canal that branches off from the Western Yamuna Canal. It irrigates the central part of Punjab.
The Upper Bari Doab Canal is a canal that branches off from the Sirhind Canal. It irrigates the upper Bari Doab region of Punjab.
The Lower Bari Doab Canal is a canal that branches off from the Sirhind Canal. It irrigates the lower Bari Doab region of Punjab.
The Upper Chenab Canal is a canal that branches off from the Chenab River. It irrigates the upper Chenab basin of Punjab.
The Lower Chenab Canal is a canal that branches off from the Chenab River. It irrigates the lower Chenab basin of Punjab.
The Upper Ravi Canal is a canal that branches off from the Ravi River. It irrigates the upper Ravi basin of Punjab.
The Lower Ravi Canal is a canal that branches off from the Ravi River. It irrigates the lower Ravi basin of Punjab.
The Upper Sutlej Canal is a canal that branches off from the Sutlej River. It irrigates the upper Sutlej basin of Punjab.
The Lower Sutlej Canal is a canal that branches off from the Sutlej River. It irrigates the lower Sutlej basin of Punjab.
The Beas Canal is a canal that branches off from the Beas River. It irrigates the Beas basin of Punjab.
The Ghaggar Canal is a canal that branches off from the Ghaggar-Hakra River. It irrigates the Ghaggar basin of Punjab.
The Hakra Canal is a canal that branches off from the Hakra River. It irrigates the Hakra basin of Punjab.
The Western Yamuna Canal Headworks, the Eastern Yamuna Canal Headworks, the Sirhind Canal Headworks, the Upper Bari Doab Canal Headworks, the Lower Bari Doab Canal Headworks, the Upper Chenab Canal Headworks, the Lower Chenab Canal Headworks, the Upper Ravi Canal Headworks, the Lower Ravi Canal Headworks, the Upper Sutlej Canal Headworks, the Lower Sutlej Canal Headworks, the Beas Canal Headworks, the Ghaggar Canal Headworks, and the Hakra Canal Headworks are all important structures that control the flow of water in the Punjab region.
The rivers and canals of Punjab play a vital role in the lives of the people of the region. They provide water for irrigation, drinking, and industrial use. They also support a variety of Ecosystems and wildlife. The rivers and canals of
What are the major rivers in Punjab?
The major rivers in Punjab are the Sutlej, the Beas, the Ravi, the Chenab, and the Jhelum.
What is the drainage system of Punjab?
The drainage system of Punjab is a Network of rivers, canals, and drains that collect and transport water from the land to the sea.
What are the benefits of the drainage system of Punjab?
The drainage system of Punjab provides a number of benefits, including:
- Flood control: The drainage system helps to prevent flooding by diverting excess water away from populated areas.
- Irrigation: The drainage system is used to irrigate crops, which helps to ensure a reliable food supply.
- Water supply: The drainage system provides a source of water for drinking, bathing, and other domestic purposes.
- Wastewater treatment: The drainage system helps to treat wastewater, which helps to protect the Environment.
What are the challenges of the drainage system of Punjab?
The drainage system of Punjab faces a number of challenges, including:
- Sedimentation: The drainage system is prone to sedimentation, which can reduce its capacity to carry water.
- Erosion: The drainage system is also prone to erosion, which can damage its Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE.
- Pollution: The drainage system is polluted by a variety of sources, including industrial waste, agricultural runoff, and sewage.
- Climate change: Climate Change is causing the drainage system to face a number of challenges, including more frequent and severe floods, changes in water levels, and increased salinity.
What is being done to address the challenges of the drainage system of Punjab?
A number of measures are being taken to address the challenges of the drainage system of Punjab, including:
- Sedimentation control: Measures are being taken to control sedimentation, such as the construction of sediment traps and the dredging of canals.
- Erosion control: Measures are being taken to control erosion, such as the construction of check dams and the planting of trees.
- Pollution control: Measures are being taken to control pollution, such as the construction of wastewater treatment Plants and the enforcement of environmental regulations.
- Climate change adaptation: Measures are being taken to adapt to climate change, such as the construction of flood control measures and the development of drought-resistant crops.
Sure, here are some MCQs without mentioning the topic Rivers and drainage system of Punjab:
Which of the following is not a river?
(A) Ganga
(B) Yamuna
(C) Brahmaputra
(D) IndusWhich of the following is the longest river in India?
(A) Ganga
(B) Yamuna
(C) Brahmaputra
(D) IndusWhich of the following is the largest river basin in India?
(A) Ganga basin
(B) Brahmaputra basin
(C) Indus basin
(D) Mahanadi basinWhich of the following is the largest delta in India?
(A) Ganga delta
(B) Brahmaputra delta
(C) Indus delta
(D) Mahanadi deltaWhich of the following is the largest reservoir in India?
(A) Bhakra Nangal Dam
(B) Indira Gandhi Canal
(C) Tehri Dam
(D) Narmada DamWhich of the following is the largest irrigation canal in India?
(A) Bhakra Nangal Dam
(B) Indira Gandhi Canal
(C) Tehri Dam
(D) Narmada DamWhich of the following is the largest hydroelectric power plant in India?
(A) Bhakra Nangal Dam
(B) Indira Gandhi Canal
(C) Tehri Dam
(D) Narmada DamWhich of the following is the largest coal-fired power plant in India?
(A) NTPC Ramagundam
(B) NTPC Dadri
(C) NTPC Talcher
(D) NTPC KorbaWhich of the following is the largest nuclear power plant in India?
(A) Kakrapar Atomic Power Station
(B) Tarapur Atomic Power Station
(C) Kalpakkam Atomic Power Station
(D) Narora Atomic Power StationWhich of the following is the largest wind power plant in India?
(A) Jaisalmer Wind Park
(B) Muppandal Wind farm
(C) Kutch Wind Farm
(D) Tamil Nadu Wind Farm
I hope these MCQs are helpful!