Madhya Pradesh Geography, History and Culture
What is tested
Madhya Pradesh Geography, History and Culture tests location, physiography, rivers, climate, minerals, historical dynasties, the freedom movement, tribes, festivals and heritage.
Core facts
- MP lies in central India. Physiographic divisions include the Malwa Plateau, Vindhya Range, Satpura Range, Narmada Valley, Bundelkhand, Baghelkhand and Nimar.
- The Narmada flows west through a rift valley between the Vindhya and Satpura ranges; the Tapti also flows west. The Chambal, Betwa, Ken and Son belong to the Ganga basin; the Wainganga belongs to the Godavari basin.
- History: Ujjain (Avantika) was a major Mauryan and Gupta centre; the Paramaras ruled Malwa, the Chandellas ruled Khajuraho, and the Gonds ruled parts of Jabalpur and Mandla. Rani Durgavati resisted Mughal expansion.
- Culture: Bhil, Gond, Baiga and Korku are major tribal groups; the Khajuraho Dance Festival, Tansen Samaroh and Lokrang reflect the state's performing arts.
- UNESCO sites: Khajuraho temples, Sanchi stupa, Bhimbetka rock shelters and the Pachmarhi biosphere area.
Worked example
A question asks why the Narmada is unusual among major peninsular rivers. Reason: it flows west, not east, because it follows a rift valley between the Vindhya and Satpura ranges and drains into the Arabian Sea. The trap is to assume all peninsular rivers flow into the Bay of Bengal.
Traps
Confusing the Chambal with the Betwa; placing Khajuraho in Bundelkhand without noting its Chandela link; and mixing Sanchi (Buddhist) with Bhimbetka (prehistoric).