Malwa (IPA: [maːlʋaː]) 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.
Malwa region lies in western part of Madhya Pradesh. Its name is derived from Malwa plateau which exists in this region and covers a vast piece of land which have direct impact on geographical conditions, climatic conditions and social life of people, belonging to this region.
Geologically, the Malwa Plateau generally refers to the volcanic upland south of the Vindhyas, which includes the Malwa region and extends east to include the upper basin of the Betwa and the headwaters of the Dhasan and Ken rivers.
Malwa, historical province and physiographic region of west-central India, comprising a large portion of western and central Madhya Pradesh state and parts of southeastern Rajasthan and northern Maharashtra states.
Malwa being one of the most strategically important locations in medieval age, it came into several conflicts with nearby states. But despite of these odds, the sultans of Malwa made many remarkable contributions to Indian art and architecture.
This chapter introduces the political geography of the region called Malwa in central India: a sultanate from the thirteenth century, a Mughal province from the sixteenth, a Maratha state from the eighteenth, and a British-controlled princely state from the nineteenth.
The Malwa Culture is known for its distinct pottery styles, comprising wheel-made black-on-red ware, coarse red ware and red/grey ware, of which the black-on-red ware — also known as black-painted red ware — was most prolific.