Beas
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Overview
The Beas rises at Beas Kund near Rohtang and flows through Himachal Pradesh and Punjab to join the Sutlej at Harike. It flows wholly within India and is one of the three eastern rivers allotted to India under the Indus Waters Treaty (1960).
In history, Alexander's army refused to advance beyond the Beas in 326 BCE, partly out of fear of the Nanda forces. A Ravi–Beas water disputes tribunal was set up in 1986.
Geography and key facts
- Source: Beas Kund near Rohtang (Himachal Pradesh)
- Joins the Sutlej at Harike
- Flows wholly within India
- Alexander's army turned back at the Beas (326 BCE)
Why it matters for UPSC
Asked in rivers of Himachal Pradesh (2010), rivers that do not rise in India (2009) and ancient river names (2026).
Note for UPSC
Rises at Beas Kund near Rohtang and joins the Sutlej at Harike; flows wholly within India.
Prelims asks about tributaries, the states a river flows through, its basin and the projects on it, so trace the course on the map.
Asked in PYQs
- UPSC Prelims 2026 · Q3Which of the following pairs of ancient and modern names of rivers is/are correctly matched ? Select the answer using the code given below :…
- UPSC Prelims 2010 · Q75Rivers that pass through Himachal Pradesh are…
- UPSC Prelims 2009 · Q41Which one of the following rivers does not originate in India ?…
- UPSC Prelims 2009 · Q133The Dul Hasti Power Station is based on which one of the following rivers ?…
Questions from our Prelims bank whose text names Beas.
Key facts
- Type
- River
- States / UTs on its course
- Himachal Pradesh, Punjab
- River system
- Himalayan
- Basin
- Indus
- Extent on map
- 31.1°–32.4°N, 75.0°–77.2°E
- Asked in Prelims
- 4 questions · 2026, 2010, 2009
From the Map Explorer data; positions are for orientation.