The Markanda river ancient name was?

Appeared in: Hariyana-CHO-2021

Explanation

The ancient name of the Markanda river is Aruna.
The Markanda is a seasonal river that originates in the Sirmour district of Himachal Pradesh and is a tributary of the Ghaggar river.
This historical name is referenced in ancient texts and is important for understanding the region's geography and history.

Option A: The Saraswati is a major Vedic river, often identified with the Ghaggar-Hakra river system, which the Markanda flows into. However, it is not the specific ancient name for the Markanda tributary.
Option B: The Giri River (or Giriganga) is a distinct river in Himachal Pradesh.
Option D: The Yamuna is one of India's major rivers and is not directly related to the Markanda.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Ancient names of Indian rivers as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding ancient river names like 'Aruna' for Markanda is key to historical geography, helping to map ancient settlements and migration routes mentioned in old texts.
Hydrologically, studying these ancient river systems (paleo-channels) helps in modern flood management, groundwater recharge planning, and understanding landscape evolution.
What if? If the question asked for the ancient name of the Beas river, the answer would be 'Vipasha', highlighting how many rivers in the region have distinct historical names from the Vedic period.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the core of the question: it asks for the 'ancient name' of a specific geographical feature, the 'Markanda river'.
Recognize this as a factual recall question from Indian history and geography.
Access your knowledge about the historical names of rivers in the Indian subcontinent.
Evaluate the options: 'Aruna' is the historically accepted ancient name for the Markanda.
Eliminate the distractors: Saraswati is a related but different river system, while Giri and Yamuna belong to a completely separate drainage basin (Ganga-Yamuna system).

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.