Malwa is a historical region of west-central India occupying a plateau of volcanic origin. Geologically, the Malwa Plateau generally refers to the volcanic upland north of the Vindhya Range. Politically and administratively, it is also synonymous with the former state of Madhya Bharat which was later merged with Madhya Pradesh. At present the historical Malwa region includes districts of western Madhya Pradesh and parts of south-eastern Rajasthan. Sometimes the definition of Malwa is extended to include the Nimar region south of the Vindhyas.
Ceramic goblet of the Malwa culture from Navdatoli, Malwa, 1300 BCE.
Coin showing Karttikeya and Lakshmi (Ujjain, c. 150–75 BC)
Rani Roopmati Pavilion at Mandu, built by Miyan Bayezid Baz Bahadur (1555–62)
Sculpture of a Holkar courtier from Fort Ahilya.
The Vindhya Range is a complex, discontinuous chain of mountain ridges, hill ranges, highlands and plateau escarpments in west-central India.
Vindhya Range
Vindhya range seen from Mandav, Madhya Pradesh
Vindhyas as seen from Bhimbetka