Understanding the Confluence of the River Beas

The question asks about the river that the Beas River joins. The Beas is an important river that flows through the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab before merging with another major river in the region.

Let's explore the journey of the River Beas to determine its confluence point.

The River Beas originates in the Beas Kund located near the Rohtang Pass in Himachal Pradesh. It flows west and then south through Himachal Pradesh, entering the plains of Punjab. In Punjab, it continues its flow and is a major source of water for irrigation in the state.

Ultimately, the River Beas meets another river in the Punjab plains. This meeting point is significant geographically and ecologically.

Analysing the Options for the Beas River Confluence

We are given four options:

1. Indus
2. Satluj
3. Chenab
4. Ravi

Let's consider each option in the context of the Indus River System, of which the Beas is a part.

• Indus: The Indus is the main river in the system. While the water from the Beas eventually reaches the Indus, the Beas does not directly join the main Indus river. It joins one of its major tributaries first.
• Satluj: The Satluj (also spelled Sutlej) is a major river originating in Tibet and flowing through Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. Historical and geographical data confirm that the River Beas merges with the Satluj River. Their confluence point is located at Harike Pattan, near Ferozepur in Punjab. This site is famous for the Harike Wetland, a Ramsar site.
• Chenab: The Chenab is another major river in the Indus system, formed by the confluence of the Chandr and Bhaga rivers in Himachal Pradesh. It flows through Jammu and Kashmir and into Pakistan. The Beas does not directly join the Chenab.
• Ravi: The Ravi is also a significant river of the Indus system, originating in Himachal Pradesh and flowing through Punjab before entering Pakistan. The Beas and Ravi are separate tributaries and do not directly meet.

Based on geographical facts, the River Beas joins the Satluj River.

Detailed Explanation of the Beas and Satluj Confluence

The confluence of the River Beas and the Satluj River is a well-established geographical feature. The Beas flows from the northeast and the Satluj from the east/southeast, and they merge near Harike Pattan in the Tarn Taran district of Punjab. After this confluence, the combined river, which is essentially the enlarged Satluj, continues its journey southwestwards, eventually joining the Chenab River in Pakistan, and finally the Indus River.

This confluence is crucial as it feeds the Indira Gandhi Canal, one of the longest canal systems in India, providing irrigation water to arid regions of Rajasthan.

Revision Table: River Beas and Satluj Facts

Additional Information: The Indus River System

The Indus River System is one of the largest river systems in the world. It comprises the main Indus River and its major tributaries. According to the Indus Waters Treaty between India and Pakistan, the waters of the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, and Satluj) are allocated to India for unrestricted use, while the waters of the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab) are primarily for Pakistan's use, with some specified uses allowed for India.

The River Beas is one of the eastern rivers, and its confluence with the Satluj is a key point in the system within India.

Therefore, the River Beas, flowing from Himachal and Punjab, joins the River Satluj.