Part of: Miscellaneous Indian Gk set 253

Which country was once part of India and has the Indus River running through it?

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

Hint: Consider the historical partition of India and the major rivers of the region.

Correct Answer: C) Pakistan

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, Bank PO, CLAT

Difficulty: Moderate

Explanations:

The question pertains to the historical geography of the Indian subcontinent, specifically focusing on the Indus River and the geopolitical changes that occurred during the partition of India in 1947. The Indus River is one of the major rivers of the Indian subcontinent, and it has played a significant role in the region's history and culture.

Historically, the Indus River flowed through regions that were part of the broader Indian territory. The river's basin was a crucial part of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, which flourished around 2600 BCE to 1900 BCE. The river's importance continued through various historical periods, including the Maurya Empire, the Mughal Empire, and the British colonial period.

However, the partition of India in 1947 led to significant geopolitical changes. The partition resulted in the creation of two separate nations: India and Pakistan. The region through which the Indus River flows became part of Pakistan. This partition was a result of the Indian independence movement and the subsequent division of the British Indian Empire into two independent dominions: the Dominion of India and the Dominion of Pakistan.

It is important to note that the Indus River basin is not shared with other neighboring countries in the same way. Bangladesh, for instance, is primarily associated with the Ganges and Brahmaputra river systems. Nepal, located in the Himalayan region, is associated with rivers like the Kosi and Karnali, which are tributaries of the Ganges. China, while sharing some border areas with the Indian subcontinent, is not historically part of the Indus River basin in the context of the Indian subcontinent's geography.

Therefore, the correct answer is Pakistan, as the Indus River flows through its territory, and the region was once part of the broader Indian territory before the partition of 1947. Understanding the historical context and the geopolitical changes that occurred during the partition is crucial for correctly answering this question.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: Bangladesh was never part of the Indus River basin. The Indus River flows through Pakistan and not Bangladesh. Bangladesh is primarily associated with the Ganges and Brahmaputra river systems.
  • Option B: China is not historically part of the Indian subcontinent in the context of the Indus River. The Indus River flows through the western part of the Indian subcontinent, which is now part of Pakistan.
  • Option C: Pakistan is the correct answer. The Indus River flows through Pakistan, and the region was once part of the broader Indian territory before the partition of 1947.
  • Option D: Nepal is not part of the Indus River basin. Nepal is located in the Himalayan region and is associated with rivers like the Kosi and Karnali, which are tributaries of the Ganges.

Mnemonic: Remember "P" for Pakistan and "I" for Indus.

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