An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c14.s2.2

v1.c14.s2.2

The e. boundary of the Rajasthan desert is formed by the Aravalli hills. There is no other major mountain range in the desert. In its s. and c. part—in Dts Jalor, Barmer and Jodhpur—low hills and inselbergs of granite and rhyolite occur. Around Jodhpur and to its n. are seen isolated outcrops of Vindhyan sandstone, and to its s. of limestone. In and around Jaisalmer occur flat-topped outcrops of marine shales, sandstones, clays, etc. Extensive rocky plains occur between Jayal and Nagaur, between Nagaur and Jodhpur, between Dhechu and Jaisalmer, and from Jaisalmer to about 50 km towards Barmer. Much of the desert however consists of a flat alluvial plain. In its w. and n. parts the plain is thickly covered with sand-dunes which rise up to a height of 50 m. Contrary to the popular image of the desert, large tracts are completely or very largely free from blown sand.