Jhelum River

File:Vitasta at Verinag.jpg

A Pakistani author, Anjum Sultan Shahbaz, recorded some stories of the name Jhelum in his book Tareekh-e-Jhelum:{{quote|'Many writers have different opinions about the name of Jhelum. One suggestion is that in ancient days Jhelumabad was known as Jalham. The word Jhelum is reportedly derived from the words Jal (pure water) and Ham (snow). The name thus refers to the waters of a river (flowing beside the city) which have their origins in the snow-capped Himalayas.{{Cite book |author=Shahbaz, Anjum Sultan |year=2003 |title=Tārīkh-i Jihlam |language=ur |location=Main Bazar, Jhelum |publisher=Buk Kārnar [Book Corner] |oclc=60589679}}}}

The Sanskrit name for the river is Vitástā, derived from an apocryphal{{Citation needed|date=December 2023}} legend regarding the origin of the river in the Nilamata Purana. The name survives in the Kashmiri name for this river, Vyath and in Punjabi (and more commonly in Saraiki{{Cite web |title=Punjab Portal |url=https://gazetteers.punjab.gov.pk/uploads/flipbooks/khushab/2021/files/basic-html/page15.html&ved=2ahUKEwj1nIaG89SGAxWHQEEAHfCTB5wQFnoECDkQAQ&usg=AOvVaw0c_Q_5BbfLvUwUJ4bTtjy- |access-date=12 June 2024 |quote=or Vehat, the latter name being more common towards the south of the district.}}) as Vehat.{{Cite web |last=Soofi |first=Mushtaq |date=2015-11-20 |title=Punjab Notes: Vehat: where great warriors clashed |url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1220932 |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}} It was called the Hydaspes by the armies of Alexander the Great.{{Cite journal |last=Locke |first=Ralph P. |date=2016 |title=Alexander the Great and the Indian Rajah Puru. Exoticism in a Metastasio Libretto As Set by Hasse and by Handel |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/44739484 |journal=Revue de Musicologie |volume=102 |issue=2 |pages=275–317 |jstor=44739484 |issn=0035-1601 |quote=The elephants of Puru's army were overwhelmed by the Greeks' horses in 326 BC on the left bank of the Hydaspes, a river - also known as the Jhelum or Jhelam - that is located in what is today Pakistan}}

File:Picjhelum.jpg

The river Jhelum was originally recognized by the name Vitasta. The river was called Hydaspes ({{langx|el|Ὑδάσπης}}) by the ancient Greeks.

Alexander III of Macedon and his army crossed the Jhelum in BCE 326 at the Battle of the Hydaspes River, where he defeated an Indian king, Porus. According to Arrian (Anabasis, 29), he built a city "on the spot whence he started to cross the river Hydaspes", which he named Bukephala (or Bucephala) to honour his famous horse Bucephalus, buried in present-day Jalalpur Sharif. It is thought that ancient Bukephala was near the site of modern Jhelum.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}} According to Gujrat district historian Mansoor Behzad Butt, Bukephalus was buried in Jalalpur Sharif, but the people of Mandi Bahauddin, a district close to Jehlum, believed that their tehsil Phalia was named after Alexander's dead horse, saying that the name Phalia was a distortion of Bucephala.

The waters of the Jhelum are allocated to Pakistan under the terms of the Indus Waters Treaty. India is working on a hydropower project on a tributary of Jhelum river to establish first-use rights on the river water over Pakistan as per the Indus Waters Treaty.{{cite web |title=India fast-tracks work on Jhelum river hydroelectric power project |url=http://www.livemint.com/2010/05/25214132/India-fasttracks-work-on-Jhel.html |access-date=25 May 2010 |archive-date=3 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100603211347/http://www.livemint.com/2010/05/25214132/India-fasttracks-work-on-Jhel.html |url-status=live }}

File:Art captioned “Hindoo (Hindu) picture emblematic of the creation of the river Jhelum or Vetasta”, ca.1882.webp

According to Hindu puranas, the goddess Parvati was requested by the sage Kashyapa to come to Kashmir to purify the land from the evil practices and impurities of the pishachas living there. Parvati assumed the form of a river in the netherworld. Her consort Shiva struck with his spear near the abode of Nila, (Verinag spring). With this stroke of the spear, Parvati emerged from the netherworld. He excavated a ditch measuring one vitasti using the spear,(a particular measure of length defined either as a long span between the extended thumb and little finger, or as the distance between the wrist and the tip of the fingers, and said to be about 9 inches through which the river, originating from the netherworld, came out, and so he gave her the name Vitástā.Nilamata Purana English Translation by Dr. Ved Kumari Ghai, verses 247–261.

The ancient Greeks also regarded the river as a god, as they did most mountains and streams. The poet Nonnus in the Dionysiacasection 26, line 350 calls the Hydaspes a titan-descended god, the son of the sea-god Thaumas and the cloud-goddess Elektra, the brother of Iris, goddess of the rainbow, and half-brother to the harpies, the snatching winds. Since the river is in a foreign country, it is not clear whether they named the river after the god, or whether the god Hydaspes was named after the river.

The river Jhelum rises from Verinag spring at the foot of the Pir Panjal in the southeastern Kashmir Valley administered by India. It is joined by its tributaries

• Lidder River near village Mirgund at Khanabal
• Veshaw River at Sangam in Anantnag
• Sind River at Shadipora
• Pohru River at Doabgah in Sopore, Jammu and Kashmir.

It flows through Srinagar and Wular Lake before entering Pakistan-administered Kashmir through a deep narrow gorge. The Kishanganga River/Neelum River, the largest tributary of the Jhelum, joins it at Domel, Muzaffarabad, as does the next largest, the Kunhar River of Kaghan Valley. It is then joined by the Poonch River, and flows into the Mangla Dam reservoir in the Mirpur District. The Jhelum enters Pakistani Punjab in the Jhelum District. From there, it flows through the plains of Pakistan's Punjab, forming the boundary between the Jech and Sindh Sagar Doabs. It ends in a confluence with the Chenab River at Trimmu in the Jhang District. The Chenab merges with the Sutlej to form the Panjnad River, which joins the Indus River at Mithankot.

Most of the villages and important cities of Kashmir valley are situated on the banks of Jhelum.{{Cite journal |title=District Survey Report On Kashmir |url=https://cdn.s3waas.gov.in/s3f4b9ec30ad9f68f89b29639786cb62ef/uploads/2018/11/2018112886.pdf |journal=District Survey Report |access-date=13 February 2022 |archive-date=14 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214235016/https://cdn.s3waas.gov.in/s3f4b9ec30ad9f68f89b29639786cb62ef/uploads/2018/11/2018112886.pdf |url-status=live }}

{{Columns-list|colwidth=22em|

• Wular Lake
• Dal Lake
• Manasbal Lake
• Gangabal Lake
• Nigeen Lake
• Anchar Lake
• Khanpursar
• Gil Sar
• Ahansar Lake
• Khurwan Sar

}}

• Victoria Bridge, Haranpur, constructed in 1973, approximate 5 km from Malakwal near Chak Nizam village. Its length is 1 km, mainly used by Pakistan Railways, but there is a passage for light vehicles, motorcycles, cycles and pedestrians on one side.

{{see also | Indus_River#Barrages,_bridges,_levees_and_dams | l1 = Dams on Indus | Jhelum_River#Dams | l2= Dams on Jhelum | Chenab_River#Dams | l3= Dams on Chenab | Ravi_River#Dams | l4= Dams on Ravi | Beas_River#Dams | l5= Dams on Beas| Sutlej_River#Dams | l6= Dams on Sutlej}}

Listed in the order of upstream to downstream.

The river has rich power generation potential in India. Water control structures are being built as a result of the Indus Basin Project, including the following:

• On Jhelum
• Kishanganga Hydroelectric Power Project, 330 MW, in Bandipora district, completed in 2018.{{Cite web |title=NHPC Limited : Projects : Power Stations : Kishanganga |url=http://www.nhpcindia.com/Default.aspx?id=186&lg=eng&CatId=1&ProjectId=32 |access-date=14 February 2021 |website=www.nhpcindia.com}} In May 2025, after suspending IWT, India has decided to significantly increase the capacity of the Kishanganga Project.[https://www.msn.com/hi-in/news/india/%E0%A4%B8-%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%81-%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%B2-%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A7-%E0%A4%95-%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D-%E0%A4%AF-%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0-%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%87-%E0%A4%9C-%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B9-%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%88-%E0%A4%AE-%E0%A4%A6-%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%95-%E0%A4%B0-%E0%A4%95-%E0%A4%B8-%E0%A4%A8-%E0%A4%82-%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%87-%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B5-%E0%A4%A6-%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%82-%E0%A4%87%E0%A4%B0-%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%87-%E0%A4%95-%E0%A4%96%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B2-%E0%A4%B8/ar-AA1F8u6j?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=bba154bf80c34f52bce04cfd6624dfb5&ei=33 सिंधु जल संधि का क्‍या हश्र करने जा रही है मोदी सरकार? किसानों से संवाद में इरादे का खुलासा], MSN.com, 20 May 2025.

• Uri-I Stage-I Hydroelectric Power Project, 480 MW, in Baramulla district, completed in 1997.{{Cite web |title=NHPC Limited : Projects : Power Stations : Uri – I |url=http://www.nhpcindia.com/Default.aspx?id=186&lg=eng&CatId=1&ProjectId=27 |access-date=14 February 2021 |website=www.nhpcindia.com |archive-date=5 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405155036/http://www.nhpcindia.com/Default.aspx?id=186&lg=eng&CatId=1&ProjectId=27 |url-status=live }}

• Uri-I Stage-II Hydroelectric Power Project, 240 MW, in Baramulla district, under tendering in 2025.{{Cite web |title=NHPC Limited : Projects : Power Stations : Uri-II |url=http://www.nhpcindia.com/Default.aspx?id=186&lg=eng&CatId=1&ProjectId=14 |access-date=14 February 2021 |website=www.nhpcindia.com |archive-date=30 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030065520/http://www.nhpcindia.com/Default.aspx?id=186&lg=eng&CatId=1&ProjectId=14 |url-status=live }}[https://www.msn.com/hi-in/news/india/%E0%A4%AA-%E0%A4%A8-%E0%A4%95-%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0-%E0%A4%97-%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%BC%E0%A4%97-%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%BC-%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B9-%E0%A4%AA-%E0%A4%95-%E0%A4%87%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%B0-%E0%A4%AD-%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A4-%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%87-%E0%A4%AC%E0%A4%A8-%E0%A4%B2-%E0%A4%AF-%E0%A4%96-%E0%A4%B8-%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B2-%E0%A4%A8-%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%8F-%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0-%E0%A4%9C%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9F%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B8-%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%82-%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9F-%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%9C-%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B0-%E0%A4%AB-%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B8/ar-AA1GtT2T?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=4bd0551e275a4787a99f76d9247fb3b4&ei=21 पानी को लेकर गिड़गिड़ा रहा पाक, इधर भारत ने बना लिया खास प्लान; नए प्रोजेक्ट्स में स्टोरेज पर फोकस], MSN, 11 June 2025.

• On tributaries of Jhelum
• Owari Nag Nallah
• Karnah Hydroelectric Power Project, 12 MW, at village Haridal (Pingla Haridal) in the Kupwara district. 53% complete in October 2023.[https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1988259 Energy deficit in J&K down from 17.8% during 2018-19 to 1.5% up to November 2023 during 2023-24: Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy], PIB, 9 Dec 2023.

• Kalnai River
• Lower Kalnai Hydroelectric Project, 48 MW, at Donadi in Doda district,{{cite web | last=Excelsior | first=Daily | title=Hanging fate of Lower Kalnai power project | website=Daily Excelsior | date=24 February 2022 |url=https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/hanging-fate-of-lower-kalnai-power-project/ | access-date=10 July 2023}} under-construction stalled project expedited in April 2025 after the termination of IWT.[https://www.timesnownews.com/business-economy/economy/indus-waters-treaty-suspended-modi-government-fast-tracks-five-major-hydropower-projects-in-jammu-kashmir-details-here-article-151516416 Indus Waters Treaty Suspended: Modi Government Fast-Tracks Five Major Hydropower Projects in Jammu & Kashmir - Details Here], timesnownews.com, 28 Apr 2025.

• Sind River
• Upper Sind Hydroelectric Project 1st at Sumbal in Bandipora district, 22.6 MW, completed in 1973.{{cite web|url=http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/2010/Apr/27/upper-sindh-partially-resumes-generation-88.asp|title=Upper Sindh partially resumes generation|publisher=greaterkashmir.com|access-date=2010-04-27}}

• Upper Sind Hydroelectric Project 2nd, 127.6 MW, at Kangan in Ganderbal district, completed in 2002.{{cite web|url=http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/2009/Sep/15/upper-sindh-project-still-not-working-72.asp|title=Upper Sindh Project still not working|publisher=greaterkashmir.com|access-date=2009-09-15}}

• Lower Sind Hydroelectric Power project at Ganderbal in Ganderbal district, 15 MW (produced only 2MW due to reduced flow), completed in 1955.[https://ganderbal.nic.in/about-district Genderbal district], ganderbal.nic.in, accessed 18 May 2025.[https://www.greaterkashmir.com/front-page-2/ganderbals-15-mw-hydel-plant-now-producing-just-2-mw Ganderbal’s 15 MW hydel plant now producing just 2 MW], greaterkashmir.com, 27 Dec 2024.

• Karot Hydropower Project, 720 MW, concrete-core rockfill gravity large dam in Pakistan was completed in 2022.{{Cite web|date=2022-07-01|title=CPEC's Karot Hydropower Plant put into 'full commercial operation'|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2364053/cpecs-karot-hydropower-plant-put-into-full-commercial-operation|access-date=2022-07-01|website=The Express Tribune|language=en}}

• Mangla Dam, 1070 MW, 7278 MCM, completed in 1967, is one of the largest earth-fill dams in the world.

• Rasul Barrage, 22 MW, constructed in 1967, has a maximum flow of 850,000 ft³/s (24,000 m³/s).

• Trimmu Barrage, 1263 MW, constructed in 1939 20 km from Jhang city at the confluence with the Chenab, has maximum discharge capacity of 645,000 ft³/s (18,000 m³/s).

• Pakistan
• Upper Jhelum Canal runs from Mangla Dam to the Chenab.
• Rasul-Qadirabad Link Canal
• Chashma-Jhelum Link Canal runs from the Chashma Barrage on the Indus River to the Jhelum river.

File:Jhelum river, Baramullah, Kashmir, 1880s.jpg|Jhelum river, Baramullah, Kashmir, 1880s

File:Jhelum River abt 1900.jpg|Jhelum River c. 1900; photo taken by Eugene Whitehead Esq.

File:Crossing the boiling floods of Jhelum River by a bridge of one raw-hide rope, at Uri in Jammu and Kashmir (c. 1903).jpg|Jhelum River at Uri in Kashmir, 1903

File:Bridge made of three ropes across the Jhelum river.jpg|Rope Bridge at Karli, 1908

File:Srinagar (Kashmir), 1969, bridge over the Jelhum river..jpg|Bridge over the river, Srinagar, 1969

File:Jehlum River Muzaffarabad best view.jpg|Jhelum river near Muzaffarabad (2014)

File:Jhelum River (Muzaffarabad) 11.jpg|File:River Jehlum, Muzaffarabad

File:Jehlum- River Muzaffarabad.jpg|Near Muzaffarabad, 2014

File:Jhalum river water fall at verinag.JPG|The Jhelum at Verinag, 2014

File:Jhelum River Bridge.JPG|Jhelum River at Jhelum City, 2005

{{Columns-list|colwidth=22em|

• Rivers of Jammu and Kashmir
• List of rivers of Pakistan
• Beas River
• Indus River
• Kalnai River
• Ravi River
• Satluj River
• Chenab River

}}

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{{Commons category}}

• [https://www.livius.org/ja-jn/jhelum/hydaspes.html Livius.org pictures of the Hydaspes] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014084608/http://www.livius.org/ja-jn/jhelum/hydaspes.html |date=14 October 2013 }}

{{PunjabGeography}}

{{Kashmir Valley}}

{{Five rivers of the Punjab}}

{{Hydrography of Jammu and Kashmir}}

{{Waters of India}}

{{Waters of Pakistan}}

{{Waters of South Asia}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:River gods in Greek mythology

Category:Rivers of Azad Kashmir

Category:Rivers of Jammu and Kashmir

Category:Tributaries of the Indus River

Category:International rivers of Asia

Category:Jhelum

Category:Jhelum District

Category:Rigvedic rivers

Category:Rivers in Buddhism

Category:Rivers of Punjab, Pakistan

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