Ajanta range

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]

Ajanta Range
Part of Ajanta range around Antur fort
Highest point
Elevation	500–700 m (1,600–2,300 ft)
Coordinates	20°20′N 75°10′E
Geography
Ajanta Range Ajanta range
Location	Ajanta Range
Country	India
State	Maharashtra
District	Jalgaon, Aurangabad, Buldhana

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.^{[citation needed]} 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.^{[citation needed]}

References

1. Hunter, William Wilson (1881). The Imperial Gazetteer of India. London: Trubner & Co. p. 88. ISBN 978-81-7019-101-8. 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.