Ajanta Range
Part of Ajanta range around Antur fort
Highest point
Elevation500–700 m (1,600–2,300 ft)
Coordinates20°20′N 75°10′E / 20.34°N 75.16°E / 20.34; 75.16
Geography
Ajanta Range is located in Maharashtra
Ajanta Range
Ajanta Range
Ajanta range
LocationAjanta Range
CountryIndia
StateMaharashtra
DistrictJalgaon, Aurangabad, Buldhana

The Ajanta range (Marathi: अजिंठा पर्वतरांगा) is a mountain range in the state of Maharashtra in Central India. The range forms northern wall of the Deccan plateau and acts as a watershed between tributaries of the Godavari and Tapi rivers.[1]

Geography

Starting from around east of Nandgaon in Nashik district, the range follows a generally westward course towards the southern parts of Jalgaon district, the north part of Aurangabad district and the south of Buldhana district. The range peaks around 500-700 metres and acts as a dividing ridge between the Godavari and Tapi-Purna river basins. The rivers Dnyanganga, Vishwaganga, and Nalganga begin from the northern slopes of the range and form tributaries of the Tapi-Purna river system. The rivers Khadakpurna and Painganga originate from the southern slope and form part of the Godavari basin.

Wildlife

The hills consist largely of basaltic lava trap soil and are covered with tropical dry deciduous forest. The Gautala Autramghat Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary in the eastern part and the Dnyanganga Wildlife Sanctuary is in western part of the range. Leopards, sloth bears, jackals, deer, etc. are found in protected areas of the sanctuaries.[2] The forests were home to significant number of tigers until the 19th century; however, the tiger population significantly decreased and tigers are now a rarity in the ranges.[3]

History

The range is the site of and gives its name to the Ajanta caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[4] Daulatabad fort and Antur fort, both protected historical sites, are located in the Ajanta hills.

References

  1. ↑ Hunter, William Wilson (1881). The Imperial Gazetteer of India. London: Trubner & Co. p. 88. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  2. ↑ "Dnyanganga Wildlife Sanctuary" (PDF). Maharashtra Eco Tourism. Government of Maharashtra. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  3. ↑ Suryawanshi, Kulbhushansingh. "The last tiger of Ajanta". Mongabay. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  4. ↑ "Ajanta Caves". UNESCO World Heritage Convention. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
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