Previous Year Question

The Sutlej is a Trans-Himalayan river because it originates in Tibet, north of the Great Himalaya, and enters India after cutting across the Himalayan ranges.

The Sutlej originates in the Raksas Tal region near Lake Manasarovar in Tibet at an altitude of about 4,555 metres. In Tibet, it is known as Langchen Khambab.

Before entering India, it flows for about 400 km almost parallel to the Indus and crosses the Himalayan ranges through Shipki La before entering India. It then flows through Himachal Pradesh and reaches the Punjab plains.

The Sutlej is also regarded as an Antecedent River. This means that its course predates the present uplift of the Himalayas, and the river maintained its earlier course by cutting down through the rising mountains.

Among the other options, the Jhelum rises at Verinag in the Kashmir Valley, while the Ravi rises west of Rohtang Pass in Himachal Pradesh. Thus, neither originates in the Trans-Himalayan region.