Maikal range
Topic: Structure and Physiography of India: Himalayas, Plains, Peninsula, Coasts and Islands · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 2 "Structure and Physiography"; Class 11, Ch 5 "Natural Vegetation"
Meaning
The Maikal range is a hill range in eastern Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. It joins the eastern end of the Satpura range to the Chotanagpur plateau, so it acts as a link between the two. Its highest part is the Amarkantak plateau. Rivers flow out of Amarkantak in different directions, so it is an important source region for rivers.
Example
The Narmada and the Son both rise on the Amarkantak plateau. The Narmada flows west through its rift valley (a valley formed where land sank between faults) to the Arabian Sea. The Son flows north-east to join the Ganga.
Don't confuse with
- Mahadeo hills: they lie further west in the Satpura system, near Pachmarhi. The Maikal range is the eastern link to Chotanagpur.
Related concepts
- Peninsular Plateau
- Patland plateau
- Chambal ravines
- Central Highlands
- Aravalli Range
- Delhi ridge
- Malwa plateau
- Vindhyan range
- Satpura range
- Gir range