The correct answer is 3180 km.The Indus River, known as the "Lifeline of Pakistan," is one of the longest and most significant rivers in the world. While historical estimates and older textbooks often cited different figures—such as 2,900 km or... Read More
The correct answer is 3180 km.The Indus River, known as the "Lifeline of Pakistan," is one of the longest and most significant rivers in the world. While historical estimates and older textbooks often cited different figures—such as 2,900 km or 3,000 km—modern satellite imagery and comprehensive hydrological surveys conducted by various geographical authorities have confirmed the total length to be approximately 3,180 kilometers (roughly 1,976 miles). This measurement places the Indus as the longest river in Pakistan and one of the twenty longest rivers globally.
The journey of the Indus begins in the Tibetan Plateau, specifically in the vicinity of Lake Mansarovar and Mount Kailash. The river originates from the Sengge Zangbo spring, a high-altitude region located at an elevation of approximately 5,486 meters above sea level. From its source in Tibet, the river flows northwest through the Ladakh region of India, cutting through the Himalayan, Karakoram, and Hindu Kush mountain ranges.
As it enters Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan, the Indus carves some of the deepest and most dramatic gorges in the world. It flows past the base of Nanga Parbat, the ninth-highest mountain on Earth, where it turns sharply southward. This transition from a high-altitude mountain torrent to a massive alluvial river marks the beginning of its journey through the heart of the South Asian subcontinent.
The vast length of the Indus is supported by several major tributaries that join it along its path. In the north, it receives waters from the Gilgit and Kabul rivers. However, its most famous union occurs in the Punjab province at Mithankot, where the "Panjnad" (the five rivers: Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej) merges with the main stream. This confluence significantly increases the river's volume and width, transforming it into a slow-moving giant that traverses the fertile plains of Sindh.
The Indus is not merely a body of water; it is a cradle of civilization. Over 5,000 years ago, its banks gave rise to the Indus Valley Civilization (Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa), one of the oldest urban societies in human history. The river’s predictable flooding patterns allowed ancient people to develop advanced agriculture and trade networks. To this day, the Indus remains the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, supporting the world’s largest integrated irrigation system. Without the 3,180 km stretch of this river, the region would largely be an uninhabitable desert.
The river terminates in a massive delta south of Karachi, where it empties into the Arabian Sea. This delta is a vital ecological zone, home to mangrove forests and the endangered Indus River Dolphin (Platanista minor), a unique freshwater species that is blind and relies on echolocation to navigate the murky river waters.
In the modern era, the length of the river is punctuated by massive engineering feats, including the Tarbela Dam—one of the largest earth-filled dams in the world—and the Sukkur Barrage. These structures manage the river's flow for hydroelectric power and large-scale farming. Understanding the total length of 3,180 km is essential for hydrologists and students alike, as it represents the sheer scale of the natural resource that sustains over 200 million people across its basin.
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