सिन्धु Indus
The River That Named India - Cradle of Civilization
Geographical Details
Basic Information
- Source:
- Senge Khabab, Tibet
- Length:
- 3,180 km
- Basin Area:
- 1,165,000 km²
- Mouth:
- Arabian Sea
- Countries:
- China, India, Pakistan
Historical Geography
- • Leh: Ancient trading center in Ladakh
- • Skardu: Important valley town
- • Harappa: Ancient Indus Valley city
- • Mohenjo-daro: Major archaeological site
- • Sukkur: Historic city on the banks
- • Karachi: Near the delta region
Historical & Cultural Significance
Cradle of Civilization
The Indus River is historically significant as it gave birth to one of the world's earliest civilizations - the Indus Valley Civilization (3300-1300 BCE). The river's name "Sindhu" in Sanskrit became "Hindu" in Persian, and eventually "India" - thus the river literally gave its name to the entire subcontinent. The river has been mentioned in the Rig Veda as one of the most important rivers, and continues to hold deep spiritual significance.
Ancient Civilization
- • Harappan Cities: Advanced urban planning
- • Trade Networks: Extensive commercial routes
- • Agriculture: Sophisticated irrigation systems
- • Script: Undeciphered Indus script
Vedic References
- • Rig Veda: Praised as mighty river
- • Sapta Sindhu: Land of seven rivers
- • Sacred Geography: Spiritual significance
- • Cultural Identity: Foundation of Indian civilization
Major Tributaries
Left Bank Tributaries
- Kabul: Flows through Afghanistan and Pakistan
- Kurram: Border river between Afghanistan and Pakistan
- Tochi: Flows through Waziristan
Right Bank Tributaries
- Jhelum: One of the five rivers of Punjab
- Chenab: Major tributary from Himalayas
- Ravi: Sacred river mentioned in Vedas
- Sutlej: Longest of the five Punjab rivers
Scriptural References
Rig Veda 10.75
"प्र सु व॑ आपो महि॒मान॑मुत्त॒मं का॒रुर्वो॑चाति॒ सद॑ने वि॒वस्व॑तः । प्र स॒प्तस॑प्त त्रे॒धा हि च॑क्र॒मुः प्र सृत्व॑रीणा॒मति॒ सिन्धु॒रोज॑सा ॥ (1)"
"Listen to this my praise, O Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Shutudri (Sutlej), and Parushni (Ravi). O Asikni (Chenab), Marudvridha, Vitasta (Jhelum), Arjikiya, and Sushoma, hear my call."
Rig Veda 1.32.12
"The mighty Sindhu (Indus) flows with roaring sound, like a bull bellowing, rushing down from the mountains to the sea."
Complete Indus Information
Download a comprehensive PDF with detailed information about Indus, including ancient civilization, maps, and historical significance.
Download Indus PDF