A History of South India from Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar c7.15

c7.15

In South India the Anaimalai hills form the most striking range; the higher range consists of a series of plateaux 7,000 feet in elevation running up to peaks of over 8,000. They are covered with rolling downs and dark evergreen forests, cut off from one another by deep valleys characterized by magnificent scenery. The lower range which lies to the west has an average elevation of 3-4,000 feet, and thousands of acres of this area are now under coffee. It contains the teak belt and also produces most of the timber usual in deciduous forest belts of the same elevation; much valuable game, including elephant which gives its name to the range, are also found there. It is inhabited by hill tribes like the Kāḍan, Muduvan and Pulaiyan.