Kaimur hills
Encyclopedia
Kaimur Range is the eastern portion of the Vindhya Range
, about 483 kilometres (300.1 mi) long, extending from around Katangi
in Balaghat district
of Madhya Pradesh
to around Sasaram
in Rohtas district
of Bihar
. It passes through the Rewa
and Mirzapur
divisions. The range never rises more than a few hundred metres above the surrounding plains and has a maximum width of around 80 km.
The most important physioraphic feature in eastern Madhya Pradesh is the great Kaimur escarpment. This forms the watershed or divide for two of the major rivers of peninsular India, the Son
on the south and Tons
on the north. Throughout its length of 300 miles and throughout its continuation into Narmada valley, it is not breached at any point by any stream flowing northwards, with a few minor exceptions. Everywhere the scarp rises to a height of 500 to 1000 feet above the low ground at its feet. The unique feature of the absence of any gorge or wind gap across the Kaimur scarp indicates that no stream of considerable size ever flowed due north across the scarp.
The Kaimur Range runs through the entire length of Maihar
and Amarpatan
tahsils of Satna district
in an easterly direction slightly inclined to the north. At Jhukehi, the strike of the Kaimurs is displaced, producing the only gap in the whole length of the Vindhyas. Advantage of the gap is taken in the construction of the Mirzapur road and the Jabalpur-Allahabad railway line.
plateaux, consists of a series of descending plateaux, starting with the Panna Plateau
in the west, followed by Bhander Plateau
and Rewa Plateau
and ending with Rohtas Plateau
in the east.
There is a well-marked fall line alng these plateaux, extending from Purwa or Tons Falls on the Tons River in the north-western part of the Rewa district of Madhya Pradesh in the west to Sasaram in the east. Hundreds of waterfalls ranging in height between 15m and 180m are found along this fault line as all the major rivers emerging from the Kaimur Range and draining due northwards make tremendous waterfalls while descending through the northern foreland of the Indian peninsula. Significant waterfalls along this fault line are: Purwa or Tons Falls
(70m) on the Tons River
(in Rewa district, MP), Chachai Falls (127m) on the Bihad River, a tributary of Tons River, the Keoti Falls
(98m) on the Mahana River, a tributary of Tons River, Odda Falls
(145m) on the Odda River, a tributary of Belah River, which is itself a tributary of Tones River, Devdari Falls (58m) on the Karmanasa River (Rohtas plateau, Bihar), Telharkund Falls (80m) on the Suara West River (Rohtas plateau), Suara Falls (120m) on the Suara East River, Durgawaati Falls (80m) on the Durgawati River (Rohtas plateau), Okharean Kund Falls (90m) on Gopath River (Rohtas plateau), Dhuan Kund Falls (30m) (Rohtas plateau near Sasaram) on the Dhoba River, Kuaridah Falls (180m) on the Ausane River, a tributary of Son River, Rohtas plateau, Rakim Kund Falls (168m), on the Gayghat River, a tributary of Ausane River (Rohtas plateau)
and Jamui
. It was for the first time that a Neolithic
settlement was discovered in the thick of the alluvium
, over the bank of the Ganges at Chirand. The rock paintings depict prehistoric lifestyle and natural environment. The paintings display the sun, moon, stars, animals, plants, trees, rivers and is said to represent love towards nature. The paintaings also highlight daily life of the early humans in Bihar, displaying hunting, running, dancing, and walking. The rock paintings in Bihar
are not only identical to those in central and southern India
, but also are similar to those in Europe
and Africa
. The rock paintings of Spain
's Alta Mira and France
's Lascaux
are almost identical to those found in Bihar.
Vindhya Range
The Vindhya Range is a range of older rounded mountains and hills in the west-central Indian subcontinent, which geographically separates the Indian subcontinent into northern India and Southern India.- Introduction :...
, about 483 kilometres (300.1 mi) long, extending from around Katangi
Katangi
Katangi is a town and a nagar panchayat in Balaghat district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.-Geography:Katangi is located at . It has an average elevation of 442 metres ....
in Balaghat district
Balaghat District
Balaghat District a district of Madhya Pradesh state of central India. The town of Balaghat serves as its administrative headquarters.-History:...
of Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh , often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and Indore is the largest city....
to around Sasaram
Sasaram
Sasaram , sometimes also spelled as Sahasram, is the administrative headquarters of the Rohtas district in the Indian state of Bihar.It is one of the oldest cities in India, and is famous for production of stone chips and for the local quarrying industry...
in Rohtas district
Rohtas district
Rohtas district is one of the thirty-eight districts of Bihar state, India.The Rohtas district is a part of Patna Division, and it has an area of 3850 km² , a population of 2,448,762 , and a population density of 636 persons per km²...
of Bihar
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
. It passes through the Rewa
Rewa Division
Rewa Division is an administrative geographical unit of Madhya Pradesh state of India situated in the North East part of state bordering with Uttar Pradesh, Chattisgarh and Bundelkhand part of Madhya Pradesh. Rewa is the administrative headquarters of the division...
and Mirzapur
Mirzapur Division
-About Mirzapur Mandal:Mirzapur division is an administrative geographical unit of Uttar Pradesh state of India. Mirzapur is the administrative headquarters of the division...
divisions. The range never rises more than a few hundred metres above the surrounding plains and has a maximum width of around 80 km.
The range
The southern part of the Vindhyan Range up to Katangi is called Bhander Range. Beyond this point the escarpment enclosing the land-locked valley of Sirampur and the hill range in continuation is called the Kaimur Range.The most important physioraphic feature in eastern Madhya Pradesh is the great Kaimur escarpment. This forms the watershed or divide for two of the major rivers of peninsular India, the Son
Son River
Son River of central India is the largest of the Ganges' southern tributaries. A British 1850s diary shows that the river was written in English as Soane.-Course:...
on the south and Tons
Tamsa River
The Tamsa River is a tributary of the Ganges flowing through the Indian states of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.-Course:...
on the north. Throughout its length of 300 miles and throughout its continuation into Narmada valley, it is not breached at any point by any stream flowing northwards, with a few minor exceptions. Everywhere the scarp rises to a height of 500 to 1000 feet above the low ground at its feet. The unique feature of the absence of any gorge or wind gap across the Kaimur scarp indicates that no stream of considerable size ever flowed due north across the scarp.
The Kaimur Range runs through the entire length of Maihar
Maihar
Maihar is a city and a municipality in Satna district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Maihar is known for the temple of revered mother goddess Sharda situated on Trikuta hill of Maihar.- Origin :...
and Amarpatan
Amarpatan
Amarpatan is a town and a nagar panchayat in Satna district in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India.-Etymology:Amarpatan is made by 2 words amar and patan. amar is the name of king of this area and patan stands for place.- Geography :...
tahsils of Satna district
Satna District
Satna District , was formed in 1948, is a district of Madhya Pradesh state in central India. The town of Satna is the district headquarters. The district has an area of 7,502 km², and a population of 1,868,648 , 20.63% of which was urban...
in an easterly direction slightly inclined to the north. At Jhukehi, the strike of the Kaimurs is displaced, producing the only gap in the whole length of the Vindhyas. Advantage of the gap is taken in the construction of the Mirzapur road and the Jabalpur-Allahabad railway line.
Plateaux and waterfalls
A series of plateaux runs along the Kaimur Range. These fluvialFluvial
Fluvial is used in geography and Earth science to refer to the processes associated with rivers and streams and the deposits and landforms created by them...
plateaux, consists of a series of descending plateaux, starting with the Panna Plateau
Bijawar-Panna Plateau
The Bijawar-Panna Plateau covers portions of Chhatarpur and Panna districts in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.Behind the Bijawar Hills in Sagar Division is the 25-30 km wide Bijawar-Panna Plateau...
in the west, followed by Bhander Plateau
Bhander Plateau
The Bhander Plateau is a plateau in the state of Madhya Pradesh in India. It has an area of 10,000 km². . It links the Deccan Plateau to the south with the Indo-Gangetic Plains and the Chota Nagpur Plateau to the north and east respectively. The plateau is part of the Vindhya Range in central...
and Rewa Plateau
Rewa Plateau
The Rewa Plateau covers a portion of Rewa district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.The Rewa Plateau lies between the Kaimur Range in the south and Vindhya Range or Binj Pahar in the north. To the north of the Binj Pahar are the alluvial plains known as Uprihar. The plateau covers the Huzur,...
and ending with Rohtas Plateau
Rohtas Plateau
The Rohtas Plateau lies in the south-western part of the Indian state of Bihar.A series of plateaux runs along the Kaimur Range...
in the east.
There is a well-marked fall line alng these plateaux, extending from Purwa or Tons Falls on the Tons River in the north-western part of the Rewa district of Madhya Pradesh in the west to Sasaram in the east. Hundreds of waterfalls ranging in height between 15m and 180m are found along this fault line as all the major rivers emerging from the Kaimur Range and draining due northwards make tremendous waterfalls while descending through the northern foreland of the Indian peninsula. Significant waterfalls along this fault line are: Purwa or Tons Falls
Purwa Falls
The Purwa Falls is a waterfall in Rewa district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.-The falls:The Tons River while descending through the Rewa Plateau and draining northwards makes a vertical falls of known as the Purwa Falls....
(70m) on the Tons River
Tamsa River
The Tamsa River is a tributary of the Ganges flowing through the Indian states of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.-Course:...
(in Rewa district, MP), Chachai Falls (127m) on the Bihad River, a tributary of Tons River, the Keoti Falls
Keoti Falls
Keoti Falls is in Rewa district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is the 24th highest waterfall in India.-The Falls:...
(98m) on the Mahana River, a tributary of Tons River, Odda Falls
Bahuti Falls
The Bahuti Falls is a waterfall in Rewa district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.-The falls:Bahuti Falls is on the Odda River as it rushes down the edge of the Rewa Plateau to join the Bihad River, which is a tributary of Tamsa or Tons River. It is near Chachai Falls.It has a height of .The...
(145m) on the Odda River, a tributary of Belah River, which is itself a tributary of Tones River, Devdari Falls (58m) on the Karmanasa River (Rohtas plateau, Bihar), Telharkund Falls (80m) on the Suara West River (Rohtas plateau), Suara Falls (120m) on the Suara East River, Durgawaati Falls (80m) on the Durgawati River (Rohtas plateau), Okharean Kund Falls (90m) on Gopath River (Rohtas plateau), Dhuan Kund Falls (30m) (Rohtas plateau near Sasaram) on the Dhoba River, Kuaridah Falls (180m) on the Ausane River, a tributary of Son River, Rohtas plateau, Rakim Kund Falls (168m), on the Gayghat River, a tributary of Ausane River (Rohtas plateau)
Rock paintings
Prehistoric rock paintings have been discovered in the Kaimur hills, NawadaNawada
Nawada is a city and a municipality. It is also the headquarters of Nawada district in the Indian state of Bihar.-Geography:Nawada is located at . It has an average elevation of 80 metres...
and Jamui
Jamui
Jamui is a city and a municipality in Jamui district in the Indian state of Bihar. It is the district headquarters of Jamui district.-Geography:Jamui is located at...
. It was for the first time that a Neolithic
Neolithic
The Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
settlement was discovered in the thick of the alluvium
Alluvium
Alluvium is loose, unconsolidated soil or sediments, eroded, deposited, and reshaped by water in some form in a non-marine setting. Alluvium is typically made up of a variety of materials, including fine particles of silt and clay and larger particles of sand and gravel...
, over the bank of the Ganges at Chirand. The rock paintings depict prehistoric lifestyle and natural environment. The paintings display the sun, moon, stars, animals, plants, trees, rivers and is said to represent love towards nature. The paintaings also highlight daily life of the early humans in Bihar, displaying hunting, running, dancing, and walking. The rock paintings in Bihar
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
are not only identical to those in central and southern India
South India
South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area...
, but also are similar to those in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
. The rock paintings of Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
's Alta Mira and France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
's Lascaux
Lascaux
Lascaux is the setting of a complex of caves in southwestern France famous for its Paleolithic cave paintings. The original caves are located near the village of Montignac, in the department of Dordogne. They contain some of the best-known Upper Paleolithic art. These paintings are estimated to be...
are almost identical to those found in Bihar.