The Land in Relation to History

Chapter – 2

• The chapter focuses on the geography of the country, particularly the land south of the Vindhyas, which is a rugged mountainous tract extending east to west along the Tropic of Cancer.

• The northern side of the Vindhyas is gentle, while the southern side features a steep fall to the valley of the Narmada and a mountain wall formed by the Satpura-Mahadeo-Maikal range.

• The Tapti River flows parallel to the Narmada to the west, and the Mahanadi flows eastward to the Bay of Bengal.

• This geographical division does not hinder communication between the north and south, and historically, the two regions have influenced each other politically and culturally.

• Before British rule, the North and South were united under several empires, such as the Mauryas and Guptas.

• The peninsula juts out into the Indian Ocean, between the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, narrowing to a point at Cape Comorin.

• The Malabar and Coromandel coasts extend for a thousand miles, with few natural harbors, although places like Cochin, Goa, and Bombay offer safe anchorages.

• Peninsular India developed and maintained maritime trade with nations across the Bay of Bengal and was involved in the colonization of eastern lands.

• Rulers like the Satavahanas, Pallavas, and Cholas were known for maintaining a strong navy.

• The Malabar coast had a reputation for piratical activity, while Chola mariners were considered experts on sailing conditions in the Indian Ocean.

• An early account of maritime trade in the region is found in the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea.

• The nucleus of the peninsula is a triangular block of very old rocks, forming a plateau from the Satmala-Ajanta ranges to the Nilgiris.

• The western edge is the Western Ghats, which are a steep sea-wall overlooking the west coast, with peaks rising up to 8,760 feet at the Nilgiris.

• South of the Nilgiris, the Western Ghats have a gap called Palghat or Coimbatore gap, providing access from the Carnatic to the Malabar coast.

• South of this gap, the ghats rise to Anaimudi Peak (8,841 feet), and the range terminates at Cape Comorin.

• The crest line of the ghats is generally 50 to 100 miles from the Arabian Sea, with cliffs restricting the width of the coastal plain in some places.

• North of Goa, the ghats are covered by basaltic lava-flows (Deccan trap), which have created natural citadels, important as military positions during the Maratha era.

• South of Goa, the ghats are composed of more resistant materials like gneisses and schists.

• The seaward face of the ghats is covered with dense forests, and passes inland from the coast are few.

• The Trimbak Pass at the source of the Godavari was a historic trade route and an early settlement area for Aryans.