derived from sanskrit daskina ("south")

the southern, triangle-shaped peninsula of India.
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 (16831707) 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).

Log in or register to write something here or to contact authors.