Complete History of the Aravalli Mountain Range

The Aravalli Mountain Range is one of the oldest mountain ranges on Earth. It is located in north-west India and stretches for about 670 kilometers. The range starts near Delhi, passes through Haryana and Rajasthan, and ends in Gujarat near Ahmedabad.

Ancient Formation

The Aravalli range was formed around 2.5 billion years ago during the early history of the Earth. It was created by movements of the Earth’s crust. At that time, these mountains were very high and strong, but over millions of years, erosion by wind, rain, and rivers reduced their height. This is why the Aravalli mountains are old, low, and uneven today.

Prehistoric and Ancient Times

The Aravalli region was rich in minerals like copper, zinc, lead, marble, and granite. Archaeological evidence shows that people lived here during prehistoric times.
The Indus Valley Civilization used copper mined from the Aravalli region, especially from areas like Khetri in Rajasthan.

Many ancient tribes and communities settled near the Aravalli mountains because they provided:

• Water from rivers and springs
• Forests for food and shelter
• Natural protection from enemies

Role in Indian History

During ancient and medieval periods, the Aravalli range was home to Rajput kingdoms such as Mewar, Marwar, and Amber. Famous forts like Kumbhalgarh, Chittorgarh, and Amber Fort were built in this region for defense.

The Aravalli mountains acted as a natural barrier and helped protect central India from invasions coming from the north-west.

Environmental Importance

The Aravalli range plays a very important role in:

• Stopping the spread of the Thar Desert
• Maintaining rainfall patterns
• Recharging groundwater
• Supporting forests and wildlife

Rivers such as Banas, Luni, and Sahibi originate from the Aravalli range.

Modern Period

In modern times, the Aravalli range has faced problems like:

• Deforestation
• Mining
• Urban expansion

These activities have damaged the environment. Today, many environmental groups and the government are working to protect and restore the Aravalli range.