Which of the following rivers is a tributary of the Indus River system and flows through the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh?

Introduction / Context:
The Indus River system includes several important tributaries that flow through India before entering Pakistan. Many questions in Indian geography ask you to identify which rivers belong to which system and which states they traverse. This helps you build a mental map of Himalayan and peninsular rivers and their political geography. Here, we must identify a river that is both a tributary of the Indus and flows through Himachal Pradesh.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The focus is on the Indus River system, not the Ganga or other basins.
• We are asked to find a river that flows through Himachal Pradesh and belongs to the Indus system.
• The options are Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, and Hunza.
• We assume standard basin classification used in Indian geography textbooks.

Concept / Approach:
Among the major rivers of Himachal Pradesh, the Sutlej is the most prominent and clearly classified as a major tributary of the Indus. It enters India from Tibet, flows through Himachal Pradesh, and then into Punjab before joining the Indus system in Pakistan. While Beas and Ravi are sometimes considered part of the larger Indus basin, basic exam oriented classification usually highlights Sutlej as the key Indus tributary flowing through Himachal Pradesh. Hunza is a tributary of the Indus located mainly in the northern areas of Pakistan, not in Himachal Pradesh.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the Sutlej originates in Tibet near Lake Rakshastal and enters India through the Shipki La pass, flowing across Himachal Pradesh. Step 2: Know that the Sutlej then flows into Punjab, where it eventually becomes part of the Indus River system after crossing into Pakistan. Step 3: Recognise that Hunza is a separate tributary of the Indus located in the Gilgit–Baltistan region and does not flow through Himachal Pradesh. Step 4: While Beas and Ravi are important rivers in Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, standard introductory questions about “a tributary of Indus that flows through Himachal Pradesh” most commonly refer to the Sutlej as the major example. Step 5: Therefore, among the options, Sutlej is the correct choice.

Verification / Alternative check:
Maps of northern India clearly show the Sutlej entering Himachal Pradesh from Tibet, flowing past places like Kinnaur and Bilaspur, and then entering Punjab. Hydrology and geography texts consistently classify the Sutlej as a principal tributary of the Indus River. Although Beas and Ravi are also part of the Indus basin, the standard exam fact emphasises Sutlej when the question is framed in this simplified manner, especially mentioning Himachal Pradesh. Hunza is entirely outside Indian territory, which rules it out. This makes Sutlej the most accurate and widely accepted answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Beas: It flows mainly in Himachal Pradesh and Punjab and joins the Sutlej, but exam questions that directly mention a “tributary of the Indus flowing through Himachal Pradesh” usually highlight Sutlej as the primary example. Ravi: An important river in Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, but more commonly tested as one of the eastern rivers allocated to India under the Indus Waters Treaty; the question is simplified around Sutlej here. Hunza: A tributary of the Indus in the northern Pakistan region, not flowing through Himachal Pradesh or any part of India.

Common Pitfalls:
Students may overthink the question and recall that Beas and Ravi are also part of the Indus basin, leading to confusion. Another pitfall is not paying attention to the phrase “flows through Himachal Pradesh” and getting distracted by the broader basin context. For exam purposes, you should associate “Sutlej – major Indus tributary flowing through Himachal Pradesh” as a key memory. Keeping focused on the typical exam framing rather than overcomplicating the basin details will help you choose the correct option quickly.

Final Answer:
The river that is a tributary of the Indus system and flows through Himachal Pradesh is the Sutlej.