Deccan Plateau
Sixty-six million years ago, a massive volcanic eruption occurred at the end of the Cretaceous period. This event created the Deccan Traps, which consist of multiple layers of igneous rock more than one kilometer thick. Basaltic lava flows emerged from deep inside Earth's crust to cover an area exceeding 500,000 square kilometers. Scientists state that this eruption released large amounts of ash and dust into the atmosphere. The release blocked sunlight and resulted in lower global temperatures. High levels of sulfur and chlorine gases also entered the air. Researchers argue that these conditions contributed to the extinction of various species including some dinosaurs. The underlying bedrock consists of granite formed during the Precambrian era.
The Western Ghats block rain-bearing winds from the Arabian Sea before they reach the interior plateau. Air rises above the mountains and becomes dry by the time it reaches the leeward side. This creates a semi-arid climate with very little rainfall on the interior of the Deccan Plateau. Most rivers flow eastwards towards the Bay of Bengal due to the steeper gradient moving from west to east. Major river systems originating in the Western Ghats include the Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri. These streams give rise to numerous waterfalls across the region. The monsoon rains feed the rivers that flow into basins and then into the ocean. Summer months of April and May are dry and hot with maximum temperatures often rising more than forty degrees Celsius.
Carbon dating shows that ash mounds associated with Neolithic cultures in the region date back to 8000 BCE. Towards the beginning of 1000 BCE, iron technology spread through the area. Geological evidence does not point to a fully developed Bronze Age existing prior to the Iron Age. Since at least the first century BCE, the region was connected to the Silk Road trade networks. It was involved in trade with both the Mediterranean and East Asia. Evidence of prehistoric religion comes from scattered Mesolithic rock paintings depicting dances and rituals. The Kupgal petroglyphs of eastern Karnataka serve as an example found at Stone Age sites.
Several dynasties ruled over the region from the sixth century BCE to the fourteenth century CE. The Satavahanas of Amaravati and the Pallavas of Kanchi were among the early powers. The Chalukyas of Badami and the Rashtrakutas of Manyakheta followed later. In the Late Middle Ages, the Vijayanagara Empire conquered most of the southern part of the plateau. The upper portion was ruled by the Bahmani Kingdom and its successors known as the Deccan Sultanates. The Maratha Empire founded by Chatrapati Shivaji briefly captured the region in the early eighteenth century CE. After the defeat of the Mysore Kingdom in the late 1700s, the British East India Company consolidated power.
The Europeans arrived in the fifteenth century CE and by the middle of the eighteenth century, the French and British struggled for military control. The British Empire took control of the region from the British East India Company in 1857. During colonial rule, the area was divided between the Madras Presidency, Bombay Presidency, Hyderabad State, and Mysore. The region played a major role in the Indian independence movement. After Indian Independence in 1947, the majority of the region was organized into four states: Bombay State, Hyderabad State, Madras State, and Mysore State. The Reorganisation of Indian States on linguistic lines occurred in the 1950s resulting in new state boundaries.
The largest linguistic group in the region is the Dravidian family of languages comprising approximately seventy-three languages. Telugus and Kannadigas form the major demographic groups in the central region. Marathi people who speak an Indo-Aryan language form the majority in the northwestern part. English is widely spoken in urban areas while Deccani Urdu is spoken by Muslims. Telangana was created in 2014 by bifurcating Andhra Pradesh. The total fertility rate in the region was less than the population replacement level over the last four decades. Economies of the states registered growth higher than the national average during the past three decades.
Most of the region with igneous basaltic rock consists of black soil that retains moisture and resists erosion. These soils develop cracks during the dry season but support agriculture when irrigation facilities are added. Rice remains the staple food and major crop cultivated across the plateau. Other crops include sugarcane, cotton, turmeric, millets, pulses, and spices. Urban centers serve as significant contributors to the Indian and global Information Technology economy. Manufacturing and textiles remain other major industries in the region. Large uranium deposits have been discovered in the area during the twenty-first century.
Common questions
When did the volcanic eruption that formed the Deccan Plateau occur?
The massive volcanic eruption occurred sixty-six million years ago at the end of the Cretaceous period. This event created the Deccan Traps which consist of multiple layers of igneous rock more than one kilometer thick.
What climate conditions exist on the interior of the Deccan Plateau due to the Western Ghats?
The region experiences a semi-arid climate with very little rainfall because the Western Ghats block rain-bearing winds from the Arabian Sea. Summer months of April and May are dry and hot with maximum temperatures often rising more than forty degrees Celsius.
Which dynasties ruled over the Deccan Plateau between the sixth century BCE and the fourteenth century CE?
Several dynasties including the Satavahanas of Amaravati, the Pallavas of Kanchi, the Chalukyas of Badami, and the Rashtrakutas of Manyakheta ruled the region during this time. The Vijayanagara Empire later conquered most of the southern part while the Bahmani Kingdom and its successors known as the Deccan Sultanates ruled the upper portion.
How was the Deccan Plateau organized into states after Indian Independence in 1947?
After Indian Independence in 1947, the majority of the region was organized into four states: Bombay State, Hyderabad State, Madras State, and Mysore State. The Reorganisation of Indian States on linguistic lines occurred in the 1950s resulting in new state boundaries.
What languages are spoken by the largest demographic groups within the Deccan Plateau region?
The Dravidian family of languages comprises approximately seventy-three languages with Telugus and Kannadigas forming major demographic groups in the central region. Marathi people who speak an Indo-Aryan language form the majority in the northwestern part while English is widely spoken in urban areas.