The Indus River came into the knowledge of the Western world early in the classical period, when King Darius of Persia sent his Greek subject Scylax of Caryanda to explore the river, c. 515 BC.

Beginnings of a River. The Indus is an antecedent river, which means it has existed for over 50 million years, since the Indian plate first collided with Asia and gave rise to the Himalayas.

Explore the Indus River system: its origin near Mansarovar, key tributaries (Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Satluj), its vast basin, and the ancient Indus Valley Civilization that flourished along ...