Deccan

Quick Facts: Who was Deccan?

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Deccan

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A vast, ancient plateau forming the core of peninsular India, rich in geology and history.

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Origins & Early Life

The Deccan Plateau, "Deccan" ( DEK-ən ), or Peninsular Plateau, is a plateau that extends over an area of 422,000 km2 (163,000 sq mi) in the western, central, and southern regions of India. The plateau forms the bulk of the Deccan Peninsula, and stretches from the Satpura and Vindhya ranges in the north to the northern fringes of the Nilgiri Hills in the south. It is bound by the Eastern and the Western Ghats mountain ranges on the sides, which separate the region from the Eastern and Western Coastal Plains, respectively. From north to south, the plateau covers most of the western state of Maharashtra and southern states of Telangana, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, excluding their coastal regions, and includes minor portions of the central states of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh as well as the southern states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The plateau is marked by rocky terrain with an average elevation of about 600 m (2,000 ft).

Career & Major Achievements

It is subdivided into Maharashtra Plateau, Karnataka Plateau, and Rayalaseema and Telangana Plateau. The Deccan Traps in the northwest were formed by multiple layers of igneous rock deposited by basaltic lava flows following a massive volcanic eruption occurred at the end of the Cretaceous period (66 mya). The underlying bed consists of granite and sedimentary rocks formed during the Precambrian era and the formation of Gondwana. The region forms one of the major watersheds of India, with many perennial river systems such as Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri flowing through the region. The plateau slopes gently from the west to east, resulting in most of the principal rivers flowing eastwards towards the Bay of Bengal.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

As the Western Ghats block the rain bearing winds, the plateau region is drier than the coastal region and has a semi-arid climate. The Deccan Plateau region was ruled by several kingdoms in Indian history such as Pallavas, Cholas, Pandyas, Satavahanas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Hoysalas, Kadambas, Kakatiyas, and Western Gangas. In the later medieval era, the lower plateau was ruled by the Vijayanagara Empire, and the upper portion by the Bahmani Kingdom, and its successors, the Deccan sultanates. It later housed the Kingdom of Mysore, Maratha Confederacy, and Nizam's dominions. It was under the control of British Raj for nearly two centuries before Indian independence in 1947.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1947: 1947 Milestone — It was under the control of British Raj for nearly two centuries before Indian independence in 1947.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Deccan

True or False: “The Deccan Traps were formed by volcanic activity during the late Cretaceous period, approximately 66 million years ago.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): This massive basaltic lava flow event is scientifically dated to the end of the Cretaceous period, marking a major geological epoch.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Al Capone — Historical peer (Died in 1947) (1947): Notorious American gangster and businessman during the Prohibition era.
• Alan Guth — Historical peer (Born in 1947) (1947): Pioneering cosmologist known for developing the theory of cosmic inflation.
• Deccan Riots — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Peasant revolts in Maharashtra against debt peonage and moneylenders in 1875.
• Deccan sultanates — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Five medieval Muslim kingdoms on the Deccan Plateau, successors to the Bahmani Sultanate.
• Deccan wars — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: A protracted series of military conflicts between the Mughal and Maratha empires (1681–1707).
• Decebalus — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Last King of Dacia, famed for three wars against the Roman Empire.

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