The Deccan is a vast volcanic plateau in southern
India, occupying large portions of the modern Indian states of
Karnataka,
Andhra Pradesh,
Maharashtra, and
Tamil Nadu. The Northern edge of the Deccan Plateau very loosely marks the southern boundary of
Aryan penetration into the Indian subcontinent.
Historically the Deccan has proven notoriously difficult to conquer. Not only did it stop the horse-riding Aryan peoples, but also the Guptas, Mauryans, and Mughals. Aurangzeb, the last great Mughal emperor, exhausted the coffers of his empire in a futile attempt (1683–1707) to capture the region and the hills of the Deccan had served as an impenetrable stronghold for the Marathas and their brilliant leader Shivaji (1627-1680).