Thar: The Great Indian Desert

The Thar has been immortalised in history as Maroosthali, the harsh, hostile and merciless land. This name derives from ‘marho’, the local term for the alluvium rich depressions between the sandy ridges, and ‘thali’ means land. The ‘marho’ act as drainage basins during the sudden seasonal downpours, thereby encouraging the characteristic nuclear settlements of the desert. Down the centuries, visitors have romanticised this Great Indian Desert. But for the local people, each day is a battle for survival; against the creeping sands, shifting dunes, erratic weather, hot winds and miserable droughts. However, these tough people have not only survived, but have created a culture that is vibrant, colourful and full of life, in complete contrast to the land they live in. Illustrated with breathtaking pictures, this book documents the history, physiography, climate and culture of the Thar. And in the process of unravelling the mysteries of the Maroosthali, it applauds the spirit of its colourful people.