The river most mentioned in early Vedic literature is

The correct answer is Option 1: Sindhu. In early Vedic literature, particularly the Rig Veda, the Sindhu (Indus) is the most frequently mentioned river. It was the lifeline of the early Aryan civilization, celebrated for its might and abundance.

The reasons for the correctness of Option 1 and the status of other rivers are as follows:

• Sindhu: It is mentioned more than any other river in the Rig Veda. The Nadistuti Sukta (Hymn of Praise of Rivers) highlights its supreme importance to the socio-economic life of the Vedic people.
• Sarasvati: While the Sindhu is the most mentioned, the Sarasvati is considered the holiest (Naditama) river in the Rig Veda.
• Sutudri (Satluj): This river is mentioned as one of the tributaries but does not hold the primary frequency of the Sindhu.
• Ganga: It is mentioned only once in the Rig Veda, indicating that the early Vedic heartland was centered in the Sapta-Sindhu region, far west of the Gangetic plains.