Rajputs’ Shield, Mughals’ Nemesis: The 2.5-Billion-Year-Old Epic History of the Aravalli Range

The Aravalli mountain range—often described as the silent guardian of Rajput valour—is once again at the centre of national debate. A recent Supreme Court decision accepting the Centre’s proposal to classify only hills above 100 metres as part of the Aravallis has sparked widespread concern among environmentalists and local residents. While the government maintains that over 90 per cent of the region remains protected and that mining restrictions continue to be strictly enforced, critics warn that redefining the Aravallis could pose serious ecological risks.

Long before recorded Indian history began, the Aravalli range stood witness to the formation of the Earth itself. Considered one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, the Aravallis date back nearly 2.5 billion years, to a time when continents were still colliding and life was in its earliest stages. This ancient range is not merely a geographical feature—it is a living archive of Earth’s deep past.

A Fortress of History and Resistance

In medieval India, the rugged terrain of the Aravallis played a decisive role in shaping history. These mountains provided natural fortification to legendary Rajput warriors, including Maharana Pratap, enabling effective guerrilla warfare against the Mughal Empire. Iconic forts such as Chittorgarh and Kumbhalgarh, symbols of Rajput pride and resistance, are integral parts of this mountain system. For centuries, the Aravallis served as an unyielding shield, safeguarding kingdoms and cultures.

Geological Marvel Spanning States

Stretching approximately 670 kilometres, the Aravalli range runs from Palanpur in Gujarat through Rajasthan and Haryana to Delhi. Formed during the Proterozoic era, roughly 2.5 to 3.5 billion years ago, the range has endured intense erosion over millennia, resulting in its relatively modest present-day height. Its average elevation ranges between 300 and 900 metres, with Guru Shikhar—the highest peak at 1,722 metres—located at Mount Abu, Rajasthan’s only hill station.

Environmental Lifeline of North-West India

Beyond its historical and geological significance, the Aravalli range is vital to India’s environmental balance. Scientists emphasise its critical role in influencing regional climate patterns, recharging groundwater, and acting as a natural barrier against the expansion of the Thar Desert. Any dilution of its legal or ecological definition, experts argue, could accelerate desertification and biodiversity loss in north-western India.

An Existence Under Threat

As discussions continue over redefining what constitutes the Aravalli range, conservationists caution that reducing its recognition to height-based parameters undermines its ecological complexity. To many, questioning the relevance of these ancient hills is akin to erasing fragile life forms simply because they are small.

The Aravallis are not just remnants of stone and soil—they are custodians of history, climate, and civilisation itself. Preserving them is not merely an environmental obligation, but a responsibility owed to India’s past, present, and future.