Between which of the following rivers was the ancient town of Takshasila (Taxila) located in the north-western region of the Indian subcontinent?

Introduction / Context:
This question concerns the geographical location of the ancient city of Takshasila (Taxila), a major centre of learning and trade in the north-western part of the Indian subcontinent. Taxila is famous in both Indian and Greek sources and is associated with early universities, Buddhist traditions and the campaigns of Alexander the Great. Knowing its location between major rivers helps you visualise its strategic position along trade routes and frontier zones.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question asks between which rivers Takshasila was located.
• Options are: Indus and Jhelum, Jhelum and Chenab, Chenab and Ravi, Ravi and Beas.
• We assume standard historical geography of ancient Gandhara and Punjab.
• The task is to choose the correct pair of rivers flanking the region of Taxila.

Concept / Approach:
Takshasila (Taxila) lay in the region historically known as Gandhara, in present-day Pakistan. It was situated near important routes that connected the Indian subcontinent with Central Asia. The city was located roughly between the Indus River to the west and the Jhelum River to the east. This position gave it access to riverine routes and overland trade, making it a natural hub for commerce and culture. Therefore, the correct pair of rivers describing its location is Indus and Jhelum.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Taxila is in the north-west, not in the central or eastern Punjab.Step 2: The major rivers in that region are the Indus (to the west) and its tributaries such as Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi and Beas flowing further east.Step 3: Historical references place Taxila near the eastern bank of the Indus and west of the Jhelum, meaning it lies between these two rivers.Step 4: Pairs like Jhelum–Chenab, Chenab–Ravi and Ravi–Beas describe regions further east in the Punjab plains.Step 5: Therefore, the correct answer is 'Indus and Jhelum'.

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard historical atlases and textbooks that map ancient India place Taxila in the region between the Indus and Jhelum rivers. Many exam MCQs use exactly this phrasing and pair 'Indus and Jhelum' as the correct option. Cross-checking with these maps and question banks confirms that this is the expected answer in competitive examinations.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Jhelum and Chenab: This pair refers to an area further east in Punjab; Taxila lies west of the Jhelum, not between Jhelum and Chenab.Chenab and Ravi: Also further east and south; these rivers do not frame the location of Taxila.Ravi and Beas: These rivers are even more to the east; their region corresponds to different historical centres, not Taxila.

Common Pitfalls:
Students may confuse different pairs of Punjab rivers because many MCQs test river-pair knowledge (e.g., which rivers form doabs). Another pitfall is to misplace Taxila in the central Punjab instead of the north-west near the Indus. To avoid such errors, remember that Taxila is part of the Gandhara region and lies between the Indus and Jhelum, closer to the frontier routes leading to Central Asia.

Final Answer:
The ancient town of Takshasila was located between the Indus and Jhelum rivers.