The Vedic Aryans lived in the area called Sapt-Sindhu, which means area drained by seven rivers. One of the rivers among the seven is Jhelum. What was its ancient name?

The correct answer is Vitasta.

The Vedic Aryans settled in a vast region they called Sapt-Sindhu — a Sanskrit compound word meaning "the land of seven rivers". This fertile region was the cradle of early Vedic civilization and is frequently mentioned in the Rigveda, one of the oldest sacred texts in the world.

Understanding "Sapt-Sindhu":
The word breaks down as follows:
- Sapta (सप्त) = Seven
- Sindhu (सिन्धु) = River / Sea
So, Sapt-Sindhu literally means "Seven Rivers."

The Seven Rivers of the Vedic Age:
The seven rivers traditionally associated with the Sapt-Sindhu region included the Sindhu (Indus), Vitasta, Askini, Parushni, Vipash, Shutudri, and Saraswati (now a lost/dry river). These rivers collectively nourished the northwestern Indian subcontinent, roughly corresponding to modern-day Punjab (in Pakistan and India).

Tracing the Jhelum River:
The Jhelum River is one of the five major tributaries of the Indus River system, flowing through the Kashmir Valley and the Punjab plains. Its names across different historical periods are:

- Ancient Vedic/Sanskrit name: Vitasta (वितस्ता) — used in the Rigveda and other ancient Vedic texts.
- Ancient Greek name: Hydaspes — the name used by Greek historians during the time of Alexander the Great's invasion (326 BCE). The famous Battle of the Hydaspes between Alexander and King Porus was fought on its banks.
- Modern name: Jhelum — derived from the town of Jhelum in present-day Pakistan.

Why "Vitasta" specifically?
The name Vitasta is rooted in Sanskrit, where "vi" denotes intensity or distinction, and "tasta" relates to flowing or spreading. The Rigveda (Book X, Hymn 75) lists Vitasta among the great sacred rivers, confirming it as the ancient Vedic name for the river we now call the Jhelum.

Eliminating the other options:
- Askini: This is the ancient Vedic name for the Chenab River (modern name), not the Jhelum.
- Parushni: This is the ancient Vedic name for the Ravi River.
- Vipash: This is the ancient Vedic name for the Beas River.
Each of these names belongs to different rivers within the same Sapt-Sindhu system.

Conclusion:
The ancient Vedic name of the Jhelum River is Vitasta, as recorded in the Rigveda and corroborated by subsequent Sanskrit literature. This name places the river firmly within the sacred geography of the early Vedic Aryan civilization in the Sapt-Sindhu region.