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{{about|the region in Central India|the region in North India|Malwa (Punjab)|the Indian State that existed between 1948 and 1956|Malwa Union}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}
{{Citation style|date=February 2022}}

{{Infobox settlement
| name                    = Malwa
| native_name             = 
| settlement_type         = [[Natural region]]<br />(former administrative division)
| image_map               = Malwa India closeup 1823.png
| map_alt                 =
| map_caption             = Malwa (highlighted) as per 1823 depiction of India by [[Fielding Lucas Jr.]]
| pushpin_map             =
| pushpin_label_position  =
| pushpin_map_alt         =
| pushpin_map_caption     =
| coordinates             = 
| coor_pinpoint           =
| coordinates_footnotes   =
| subdivision_type        = Country
| subdivision_name        = {{flag|India}}
| area_footnotes          =
| area_total_km2          = 83,535
| area_land_km2           =
| area_water_km2          =
| area_water_percent      =
| area_note               =
| elevation_footnotes     = <ref>Average elevation of the Malawa Plateau</ref>
| elevation_m             = 500
| population_footnotes    =
| population_total        = 22,773,993
| population_as_of        = 2011
| population_density_km2  = auto
| population_demonym      =
| population_note         =
| timezone1               = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1             = +05:30
| timezone1_DST           =
| utc_offset1_DST         =
| demographics_type1      = Languages
| demographics1_title1    = Major languages
| demographics1_info1     = [[Malwi]], [[Hindi]]
| demographics1_title2    = [[Birth rate]]
| demographics1_info2     = 
| demographics1_title3    = [[Death rate]]
| demographics1_info3     = 
| demographics1_title4    = [[Infant mortality rate]]
| demographics1_info4     = 
| blank_name              = Largest city
| blank_info              = [[Indore]]
| iso_code                = [[ISO 3166-2:IN|IN-MP]]
| footnotes               = 
}}
'''Malwa''' ({{ipa|hi|maːlʋaː|ipa}}) is a [[historical region|historical]] [[list of regions in India|region]] of west-central [[India]] occupying a [[plateau]] of volcanic origin. Geologically, the '''Malwa Plateau''' generally refers to the [[volcanic plateau|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]]. At present the historical Malwa region includes districts of western [[Madhya Pradesh]] and parts of south-eastern [[Rajasthan]]. Sometimes the definition of Malwa is extended to include the [[Nimar]] region south of the [[Vindhya Range|Vindhyas]].

The Malwa region had been a separate political unit from the time of the ancient [[Malava Kingdom]], and has been ruled by several kingdoms and dynasties. Malwa continued to be an administrative division until 1947, when the [[Malwa Agency]] of [[British India]] was merged into [[Madhya Bharat]] (also known as Malwa Union) state of independent India.

Although its political borders have fluctuated throughout history, the region has developed its own distinct culture, influenced by the Rajasthani, Marathi and Gujarati cultures. Several [[List of people from Malwa|prominent people]] in the history of India have lived in Malwa, including the poet and dramatist [[Kalidasa]], the author [[Bhartrihari]], the mathematicians and astronomers [[Varahamihira]] and [[Brahmagupta]], and the polymath king [[Bhoja]]. [[Ujjain]] had been the political, economic, and cultural capital of the region in ancient times, and [[Indore]] is now the largest city and commercial center.

Overall, [[agriculture]] is the main occupation of the people of Malwa. The region has been one of the important producers of [[opium]] in the world. Wheat and soybeans are other important cash crops, and textiles are a major industry.

Malwi is a [[demonym]] given to people from the Malwa region.

== History ==
[[File:NavdatoliGoblet1300BCE.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Ceramic goblet of the [[Malwa culture]] from Navdatoli, Malwa, 1300 BCE.]]
[[File:Coin showing Karttikeya and Lakshmi, Ujjain, circa 150–75 BC.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Coin showing [[Karttikeya]] and [[Lakshmi]] (Ujjain, {{Circa|150}}–75 BC)]]
Several early Stone Age or [[Lower Paleolithic]] habitations have been excavated in eastern Malwa.<ref>{{cite journal
  |title = Early Stone Age Habitation Sites in Eastern Malwa
  |last = Jacobson
  |first = Jerome
  |journal = [[Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society]]
  |publisher = [[American Philosophical Society]]
  |issn = 0003-049X
  |volume = 119
  |issue = 4
  |year = 1975
  |pages = 280–97
  |jstor = 986290
  }}</ref> The name ''Malwa'' is derived from the name of the ancient Indian tribe of ''[[Malava Kingdom|Malavas]]''. The name ''Malava'' is said to be derived from the Sanskrit term ''Malav'', which means "part of the abode of ''[[Lakshmi]]''".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Malwa-Plateau|title=Malwa Plateau &#124; plateau, India &#124; Britannica|website=www.britannica.com|access-date=1 February 2022|archive-date=1 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220201041357/https://www.britannica.com/place/Malwa-Plateau|url-status=live}}</ref> The location of the Malwa or ''Moholo'', mentioned by the 7th-century Chinese traveller [[Xuanzang]], is plausibly identified with present-day Gujarat.<ref name="encyclopbr">{{cite EB1911|wstitle=Malwa |volume=17 |page=518}}</ref> The region is cited as ''Malibah'' in [[Arabic language|Arabic]] records, such as ''Kamilu-t Tawarikh'' by Ibn Asir.{{Citation needed|date=February 2022}}

The [[Malwa culture|Malwa Culture]] was a [[Chalcolithic]] [[archaeological culture]] which existed in the Malwa region, as well as nearby parts of [[Maharashtra]] to the south, during the 2nd millennium BCE.<ref>P. K. Basant (2012), [https://books.google.com/books?id=KOJ8aT3xYPoC ''City and the Country in Early India: A Study of Malwa''], p.85</ref><ref>Upinder Singh (2008), [https://books.google.com/books?id=H3lUIIYxWkEC ''A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century''], p.227</ref>

[[Ujjain]], also known historically as ''Ujjaiyini'' and ''Avanti'', emerged as the first major centre in the Malwa region during India's second wave of [[urbanization|urbanisation]] in the 7th century BC (the first wave was the [[Indus Valley Civilization]]). Around 600 BCE an earthen rampart was built around Ujjain, enclosing a city of considerable size. Ujjain was the capital city of the [[Avanti (India)|Avanti]] kingdom, one of the prominent [[mahajanapada]]s of ancient India. In the post-[[Mahabharata]] period—around 500 BCE—[[Avanti (region)|Avanti]] was an important kingdom in western India; it was ruled by the [[Haihayas]], a people who were responsible for the destruction of Naga power in [[western India]].<ref name="ahmad">Ahmad, S. H., ''Anthropometric measurements and ethnic affinities of the Bhil and their allied groups of Malwa area.'', Anthropological Survey of India,1991, ''{{ISBN|81-85579-07-5}}''</ref>

The region was conquered by the [[Nanda Empire]] in the mid-4th century BCE, and subsequently became part of the [[Maurya Empire]]. [[Ashoka]], who was later a Mauryan emperor, was governor of Ujjain in his youth. After the death of Ashoka in 232 BCE, the Maurya Empire began to collapse. Although evidence is sparse, Malwa was probably ruled by the [[Kushan Empire|Kushan]]as, the [[Indo-Scythians|Shakas]] and the [[Satavahana dynasty]] during the 1st and 2nd century CE. Ownership of the region was the subject of dispute between the [[Western Kshatrapas]] and the [[Satavahana]]s during the first three centuries AD. Ujjain emerged a major trading centre during the 1st century CE.
[[File:Rupmati Pavilion 01.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Rani [[Roopmati]] Pavilion at [[Mandu, Madhya Pradesh|Mandu]], built by [[Baz Bahadur|Miyan Bayezid Baz Bahadur]] (1555–62) ]]

Malwa became part of the [[Gupta Empire]] during the reign of [[Chandragupta II]] (375–413), also known as ''Vikramaditya'', who conquered the region, driving out the [[Western Kshatrapa]]s. The Gupta period is widely regarded as a golden age in the history of Malwa, when Ujjain served as the empire's western capital. The astronomer [[Varāhamihira|Varahamihira]] was based in Ujjain, which emerged as a major centre of learning, especially in [[astronomy]] and [[mathematics]]. Around 500, Malwa re-emerged from the dissolving [[Gupta Empire]] as a separate kingdom; in 528, [[Yasodharman]] of Malwa defeated the [[Hunas]], who had invaded India from the north-west. 

During the seventh century, the region became part of [[Harsha]]'s empire, who disputed the region with the [[Chalukya]] king [[Pulakesin II]] of [[Badami]] in the [[Deccan Plateau|Deccan]]. During his reign the [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] pilgrim monk [[Xuanzang]] had visited India and mentions seeing a hundred Buddhist monasteries along with a same number of Deva temples of different kinds with the adherents of [[Pashupata Shaivism]] making a majority. He also states that there were two places in India that were remarkable for the great learning of the people, viz., Malwa and [[Magadha (Mahajanapada)|Magadha]]. The people there esteemed virtue, were of an intelligent mind and exceedingly studious.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/south-asia/book/buddhist-records-of-the-western-world-xuanzang/d/doc220271.html | title=Country of Mo-la-p'o (Malava) &#91;Chapter 5&#93; | date=28 June 2018 | access-date=23 March 2023 | archive-date=4 April 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404140050/https://www.wisdomlib.org/south-asia/book/buddhist-records-of-the-western-world-xuanzang/d/doc220271.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

In 756 AD [[Gurjara-Pratiharas]] advanced into Malwa.<ref>Asiatic Society of Bombay, ''Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bombay'', The Society, 1951, p. 56</ref> In 786 the region was captured by the [[Rashtrakuta]] kings of the Deccan, and was disputed between the Rashtrakutas and the Gurjara Pratihara kings of [[Kannauj]] until the early part of the tenth century. The Emperors of the [[Rashtrakuta dynasty]] appointed the [[Paramara dynasty|Paramara]] rulers as governors of Malwa.<ref>Ancient India by Ramesh Chandra Majumdar p.294</ref> From the mid-tenth century, Kingdom of Malwa was ruled by the [[Paramara dynasty|Paramara]]s, who established a capital at [[Dhar]]. King [[Bhoja]], who ruled from about 1010 to 1060, was known as the great [[polymath]] philosopher-king of medieval India; his extensive writings cover philosophy, poetry, medicine, architecture, construction, [[town planning]], [[veterinary science]], [[phonetics]], [[yoga]], and [[archery]]. Malwa became an intellectual centre of India, and became home to a major astronomical observatory, attracting scholars from all over India including [[Bhāskara II]]. His successors ruled until about 1305, when Malwa was [[Alauddin Khalji's conquest of Malwa|conquered by the Delhi Sultanate]]. Malwa was several times invaded by the south Indian [[Western Chalukya Empire]].<ref>The Cambridge Shorter History of India p.159-160</ref>
[[File:Khaljis of Malwa.png|thumb|right|250px|Map of the Khaljis of [[Malwa Sultanate|Malwa]] at their height]]
[[Dilawar Khan]], previously Malwa's governor under the rule of the Delhi sultanate, declared himself sultan of Malwa in 1401 after the [[Mughals|Mughal]] conqueror [[Timur]] attacked [[Delhi]], causing the break-up of the sultanate into smaller states. Khan started the ''[[Malwa Sultanate]]'' and established a capital at [[Mandu, Madhya Pradesh|Mandu]], high in the [[Vindhya Range]] overlooking the [[Narmada River]] valley. His son and successor, [[Hoshang Shah]] (1405–35), developed Mandu as an important city. Hoshang Shah's son, Ghazni Khan, ruled for only a year and was succeeded by [[Mahmud Khalji]] (1436–69), the first of the [[Malwa Sultanate#The Khalji dynasty (1436–1531)|Khalji]] sultans of Malwa, who expanded the state to include parts of Gujarat, Rajasthan, and the [[Deccan Plateau|Deccan]]. The Muslim sultans invited the [[Rajput|Rajputs]] to settle in the country. Rajputs from various clans came and settled in Malwa. They came from different parts of [[Rajasthan]], [[Gujarat]], and many other regions of India. In the early 16th century, the sultan sought the aid of the sultans of Gujarat to counter the growing power of the Rajputs, while the Rajputs sought the support of the [[Sesodia]] Rajput kings of [[Mewar]]. During that time Much of the Malwa was conquered by [[Rana Sanga]] of [[Mewar]] who appointed one of his close allies [[Medini Rai]] as ruler of Malwa under his lordship. [[Chanderi]] was capital of his kingdom.{{sfn|Chaurasia|2002|pp=156-157}}After the defeat of [[Rajput|Rajput confederation]] in [[Battle of Khanwa]] near [[Agra]] against [[Babur]] which was fought for Supremacy of [[Northern India]] between [[Rajputs]] and [[Mughals]].{{sfn|Gopinath Sharma|1954|pp=8}}[[Babur]] then sieged [[Chanderi]] offering Shamsabad to Medini rai instead of Chanderi as it was the capital of his kingdom and was of great importance but Rai refused [[Babur]]'s offer and chose to die. He was defeated by [[Babur]] in January 1528 at [[Battle of Chanderi]] and [[Babur]] conquered the fort.{{sfn|Gopinath Sharma|1954|pp=39}}

[[Gujarat]] stormed Mandu in 1518.  In 1531, [[Bahadur Shah of Gujarat]], captured Mandu, executed Mahmud II (1511–31), and shortly after that, the Malwa sultanate collapsed.<ref name="sen2">{{Cite book |last=Sen |first=Sailendra |title=A Textbook of Medieval Indian History |publisher=Primus Books |year=2013 |isbn=978-9-38060-734-4 |pages=116}}</ref> The [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] emperor [[Akbar]] captured Malwa in 1562 and made it a [[Subah (province)|subah]] (province) of his empire. The [[Malwa Subah]] existed from 1568 to 1743. Mandu was abandoned by the 17th century. During the 17th century much of Western Malwa was held by the [[Rathore dynasty|Rathor]]s of the Ratanawat branch. The Ratanawats later broke into several states which later became [[Ratlam State]], [[Sitamau State]] and [[Sailana State]]. Some of the lesser states were [[Multhan]] and [[Kachi-Baroda]].<ref>The Rathores of Marwar pg.108-109</ref><ref>Malwa in Transition Or a Century of Anarchy: The First Phase, 1698-1765</ref>

[[File:Holkar courtian coolspark.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Sculpture of a Holkar courtier from Fort Ahilya.]]
As the Mughal state weakened after 1700, the [[Marathas]] held sway over Malwa under leadership of [[Chimnaji Appa]], [[Nemaji Shinde]] and [[Chimnaji Damodar]] were the first [[Maratha]] generals to cross the boundary of [[Maharashtra]] and to invade in Malwa in 1698. Subsequently, [[Malhar Rao Holkar]] (1694–1766) became leader of Maratha armies in Malwa in 1724, and in 1733 the Maratha [[Peshwa]] granted him control of most of the region, which was formally ceded by the Mughals in 1738. [[Ranoji Scindia]], noted Maratha commander, established his headquarters at Ujjain in 1721.{{cn|date=January 2024}}. This capital was later moved to [[Gwalior State]] by [[Daulatrao Scindia]]. Another Maratha general, Anand Rao [[Pawar]], established himself as the Raja of [[Dhar State|Dhar]] in 1742, and the two Pawar brothers became Rajas of [[Dewas State (Maratha Confederacy)|Dewas State]].

At the end of the 18th century, Malwa became the venue of fighting between the rival Maratha powers and the headquarters of the [[Pindari]]s, who were irregular plunderers. The Pindaris were rooted out in a campaign by the British general <!--Check my insertion of 'general'; btw, Enc Brit. is not a high-status source ...-->[[Lord Hastings]], and further order was established under [[Sir John Malcolm]].<ref name="encyclopbr" /> The [[House of Holkar|Holkar]] dynasty ruled Malwa from [[Indore]] and [[Maheshwar]] on the [[Narmada river|Narmada]] until 1818, when the Marathas were defeated by the British in the [[Third Anglo-Maratha War]], and the Holkars of Indore became a [[princely state]] of the [[British Raj]].

After 1818 the British organised the numerous princely states of central India into the [[Central India Agency]]; the Malwa Agency was a division of [[Central India]], with an area of {{convert|23100|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} and a population of 1,054,753 in 1901. It comprised the states of [[Dewas State]] ([[Dewas Senior|senior]] and [[Dewas Junior|junior branch]]), [[Jaora]], [[Ratlam]], [[Sitamau]] and [[Sailana]], together with a large part of [[Gwalior]], parts of Indore and [[Tonk (princely state)|Tonk]], and about 35 small estates and holdings. Political power was exercised from [[Neemuch]].<ref name="encyclopbr" />

Upon [[Indian Independence Movement|Indian independence]] in 1947, the Holkars and other princely rulers acceded to India, and most of Malwa became part of the new state of [[Madhya Bharat]], which was merged into Madhya Pradesh in 1956.

== Geography ==
[[File:Hindostan_1814_(cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Malwa (central India, in yellow), as depicted in the ''Ostell's New General Atlas'', 1814]]
The Malwa region occupies a plateau in western Madhya Pradesh and south-eastern [[Rajasthan]] (between {{Coord|21|10|N|73|45|E|}} and {{Coord|25|10|N|79|14|E|}}),<ref name="ahmad" /> with [[Gujarat]] in the west. The region includes the Madhya Pradesh districts of [[Agar malwa|Agar]], [[Dewas District|Dewas]], [[Dhar District|Dhar]], [[Indore District|Indore]], [[Jhabua District|Jhabua]], [[Mandsaur District|Mandsaur]], [[Neemuch District|Neemuch]], [[Rajgarh District|Rajgarh]], [[Ratlam District|Ratlam]], [[Shajapur District|Shajapur]], [[Ujjain District|Ujjain]], and parts of [[Guna District|Guna]] and [[Sehore District|Sehore]], and the Rajasthan districts of [[Jhalawar]] and parts of [[Kota, Rajasthan|Kota]], [[Banswara]] and [[Pratapgarh district, Rajasthan|Pratapgarh]].

Malwa is bounded in the north-east by the [[Hadoti]] region, in the north-west by the [[Mewar]] region, in the west by the [[Vagad]] region and [[Gujarat]]. To the south and east is the Vindhya Range and to the north is the [[Bundelkhand]] upland.   

The plateau is an extension of the [[Deccan Traps]], formed between 60 and 68 [[geologic timescale|million years ago]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ksgeo.kj.yamagata-u.ac.jp/~iwata/personal/Deccan-e.htm |title= Geochronological Study of the Deccan Volcanism by the 40Ar-39Ar Method |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060225205236/http://ksgeo.kj.yamagata-u.ac.jp/~iwata/personal/Deccan-e.htm |archivedate=2006-02-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mantleplumes.org/Deccan.html|title=Deccan Traps|website=www.mantleplumes.org|access-date=15 November 2005|archive-date=26 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110226083611/http://www.mantleplumes.org/Deccan.html|url-status=live}}</ref> at the end of the [[Cretaceous]] [[Geologic period|period]]. In this region the main classes of soil are [[Vertisol|black]], brown and ''bhatori'' (stony) soil. The volcanic, clay-like soil of the region owes its black colour to the high [[iron]] content of the [[basalt]] from which it formed. The soil requires less irrigation because of its high capacity for moisture retention. The other two soil types are lighter and have a higher proportion of sand.

The average elevation of the plateau is 500&nbsp;m. Some of the peaks over 800&nbsp;m high are at Sigar (881&nbsp;m), [[Janapav]] (854&nbsp;m) and Ghajari (810&nbsp;m). The plateau generally slopes towards the north. The western part of the region is drained by the [[Mahi River]], while the [[Chambal River]] drains the central part, and the [[Betwa River]] and the headwaters of the [[Dhasan River|Dhasan]] and [[Ken River|Ken]] rivers drain the east. The [[Shipra River]] is of historical importance because of the [[Ujjain Simhastha|Simhasth mela]], held every 12 years. Other notable rivers are [[Parbati River (Madhya Pradesh)|Parbati]], [[Gambhir river, Rajasthan|Gambhir]] and [[Choti Kali Sindh]].

Due to its altitude of about 550 to 600 meters above mean sea level, the region has comparatively cool evenings against the hot days during the summer season.<ref>{{cite book|title=Omkareshwar and Maheshwar: Travel Guide|date=2011|publisher=Goodearth Publications|isbn=9789380262246|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_0RpUoGiou4C|language=en|page=79|access-date=25 September 2020|archive-date=30 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230130529/https://books.google.com/books?id=_0RpUoGiou4C|url-status=live}}</ref> Even if the day temperature reaches 42 to 43 degrees Celsius, the night temperatures are always in range of 20 to 22 degrees making the climate much cooler than the other areas of the region.  The cool morning wind, the ''karaman'', and an evening breeze, the ''{{vanchor|Shab-e-Malwa}}'', make the summers less harsh. The term ''Shab-e-Malwa'', meaning dusk in Malwa (from ''shab'', [[Urdu]] for night), was introduced by the [[Mughals]].

[[File:Mhow2 coolspark.jpg|left|250px|thumb| The Vindhya Range marks the southern boundary of the plateau, and is the source of many rivers of the region.]]
The year is popularly divided into three seasons: summer, the rains, and winter. Summer extends over the months of [[Chaitra]] to [[Jyestha]] (mid-March to mid-May). The average maximum temperature during the summer months is 37&nbsp;°C, which typically rises to around 40&nbsp;°C on a few days. The rainy season starts with the first showers of [[Aashaadha]] (mid-June) and extends to the middle of [[Ashvin]] (September). Most of the rain falls during the southwest [[monsoon]] spell, and ranges from about 80&nbsp;cm in the west to about 10.5&nbsp;cm in the east. Indore and the immediately surrounding areas receive an average of 90&nbsp;cm of rainfall a year. The growing period lasts from 90 to 150 days, during which the average daily temperature is below 30&nbsp;°C, but seldom falls below 20&nbsp;°C. Winter is the longest of the three seasons, extending for about five months (mid-Ashvin to [[Phalgun]], i.e., October to mid-March). The average daily minimum temperature ranges from 6&nbsp;°C to 9&nbsp;°C, though on some nights it can fall as low as 3&nbsp;°C. Some cultivators believe that an occasional winter shower during the months of [[Pausha]] and [[Maagha]]—known as Mawta—is helpful to the early summer wheat and germ crops.<ref name="ahmad" />

[[File:Sambar chennai.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The Sambhar is one of the most common wild animals found in the region.]]
The region is part of the [[Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests]] [[ecoregion]], [[Narmada valley dry deciduous forests]], and [[Eastern Highlands moist deciduous forests]].

[[Vegetation]]: The natural vegetation is [[tropical dry forest]], with scattered [[teak]] ''(Tectona grandis)'' forests. The main trees are ''[[Butea]]'', ''[[Bombax]]'', ''[[Anogeissus]]'', ''[[Acacia]]'', ''[[Buchanania]]'' and ''[[Boswellia]]''. The shrubs or small trees include species of ''[[Grewia]]'', [[Ziziphus mauritiana]], [[Casearia]], [[Prosopis]], [[Capparis]], [[Woodfordia]], ''[[Phyllanthus]],'' and ''[[Carissa]]''.

[[Wildlife]]: [[Sambar Deer|Sambhar]] ''(Cervus unicolor)'', [[Blackbuck]] ''(Antilope cervicapra)'', and [[Chinkara]] ''(Gazella bennettii)'' are some common [[ungulate]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://dewas.nic.in/index_01.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060109062050/http://www.dewas.nic.in/index_01.htm|url-status=dead|title=Dewas district|archivedate=9 January 2006}}</ref>
During the last century, deforestation has happened at a fast rate, leading to environmental problems such as acute [[water scarcity]] and the danger that the region is being desertified.

== Demographics ==
[[File:gaduliya.jpg|right|250px|thumb| A girl from the [[Gadia Lohar]]s nomadic tribe of [[Marwar]], cooking on the outskirts of a village in Ratlam district]]
The population of the Malwa region was 22,773,993 in 2011, with a population density of a moderate 270/km<sup>2</sup>. The annual birth rate in the region was 31.6 per 1000, and the death rate 10.3. The infant mortality rate was 93.8, slightly higher than the overall rate for the Madhya Pradesh state.

There are numerous tribes in the region, such as the [[Bhils]]—and their allied groups, the [[Meo (ethnic group)|Meo]]s the [[Bhilala]]s, [[Barela]]s and [[Pateliya|Patelia]]s—and the [[Meenas]], who all differ to a remarkable degree from the regional population in their dialects and social life. They encompass a variety of languages and cultures. Some tribes of the region, notably the [[Kanjar]]s, were [[Denotified Tribes|notified]] in the 19th century for their criminal activities, but have since been denotified. A nomadic tribe from the [[Marwar]] region of Rajasthan, the [[Gadia Lohar]]s—who work as ''lohars'' (blacksmiths)—visit the region at the start of the agricultural season to repair and sell agricultural tools and implements, stopping temporarily on the outskirts of villages and towns and residing in their ornate metal carts. The [[Kalbelia]] is another nomadic tribe from Rajasthan that regularly visits the region.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nativeplanet.org/indigenous/cultures/india/kalbeliya/kalbeliya.shtml|title=Rajasthan Desert's Gypsy Women: The Kalbeliya and Bopa Women visit Pushkar Fair|website=www.nativeplanet.org|access-date=1 February 2022|archive-date=24 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124045500/https://www.nativeplanet.org/indigenous/cultures/india/kalbeliya/kalbeliya.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Religion===

{{Pie chart| thumb = right
|label1=[[Hindu]]|value1=89.03|color1=orange
|label2=[[Muslim]]|value2=9.17|color2=green
|label3=Others|value3=1.80|color3=grey
|caption=Religion in Malwa (2011)<ref name="censusindia.gov.in">{{Cite web |url=http://censusindia.gov.in/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=27 November 2021 |archive-date=26 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226022814/http://censusindia.gov.in/%20 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
}}

Malwa has a significant number of [[Dawoodi Bohras]], a subsect of [[Shia]] Muslims from Gujarat, who are mostly businessmen by profession. Besides speaking the local languages, the Bohras have their own language, [[Lisan al-Dawat]]. The [[Patidar]]s, who Migrated from Gujarat settle in the Malwa-nimar. The Whole Malwa-Nimar belt is dominated by Patidar's who are large landowner's.

===Languages===

The most spoken language in the Malwa region is [[Malvi language|Malvi]],{{cn|date=August 2025}} which is the regional language, and [[Hindi]] is spoken in the cities. [[Marathi language|Marathi]] is also spoken considerably in the regions of [[Indore]], [[Dhar]], [[Dewas]] and [[Ujjain]]. A significant number of [[Maratha (caste)|Marathas]], [[Jat]]s, [[Rajput]]s and [[Bania (caste)|Banias]] also live in the region. The [[Sindhi people|Sindhis]], who settled in the region after the [[partition of India]], are an important part of the business community. Like southern Rajasthan, the region has a significant number of [[Jain]]s, who are mostly traders and businesspeople. The region is home to smaller numbers of [[Goan Catholics]], [[Anglo-Indian]]s, [[Punjabi people|Punjabis]] and [[Zoroastrian|Parsis]] or Zoroastrians. The Parsis are closely connected to the growth and evolution of [[Mhow]], which has a Parsi fire temple and a [[Tower of Silence]].

== Economy ==
[[File:Children in opium field - Malwa.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Children in an [[opium]] field in Malwa]]
[[Indore]] is the commercial capital of Malwa region and Madhya Pradesh as state. Malwa is one of the world's major opium producers. This crop resulted in development of close connections between the economies of Malwa, the western Indian ports and [[China]], bringing international capital to the region in the 18th and 19th centuries. Malwa opium was a challenge to the [[monopoly]] of the [[British East India Company]], which was supplying [[Bengal]] opium to China. This led the British company to impose many restrictions on the production and trade of the drug; eventually, opium trading was pushed underground (see [[Opium Trading in Mumbai]] for more information). When smuggling became rife, the [[British Empire|British]] eased the restrictions. Today, the region is one of the largest producers of legal opium in the world. There is a central, government-owned opium and alkaloid factory in the city of Neemuch. Nevertheless, there is a still a significant amount of illicit opium production, which is channelled into the black market. The headquarters of India's Central Bureau of Narcotics is in [[Gwalior]]. The [[Rajputana-Malwa Railway]] was opened in 1876.

The region is predominantly agricultural. The brown soil in parts of the region is particularly suitable for the cultivation of such ''unalu'' (early summer) crops as wheat, gram (''[[Cicer arietinum]]'') and til (''[[Sesamum indicum]]''). Relatively poor soil is used for the cultivation of such ''syalu'' (early winter) crops as millet (''[[sorghum|Andropogon sorghum]]''), maize (''[[Zea mays]]''), [[mung bean]] (''Vigna radiata''), [[urad (bean)|urad]] (''Vigna mungo''), batla (''[[Pisum sativum]]'') and peanuts (''[[peanut|Arachis hypogaea]]''). Overall, the main crops are jowar, rice, wheat, coarse millet, peanuts and pulses, soya bean, cotton, linseed, sesame and sugarcane. Sugar mills are located in numerous small towns.

The black, volcanic soil is ideal for the cultivation of cotton, and textile manufacture is an important industry. Large centres of textile production include Indore, Ujjain and Nagda. Maheshwar is known for its fine ''Maheshwari'' saris, and [[Mandsaur]] for its coarse woollen blankets. Handicrafts are an important source of income for the tribal population. Coloured lacquerware from Ratlam, rag dolls from [[Indore]], and papier-mâché articles from Indore, Ujjain and several other centres are well known.

Mandsaur district is the sole producer in India of white- and red-coloured [[slate]], used in the district's 110 slate pencil factories<!--check 'factories'-->. There is a cement factory in Neemuch. Apart from this, the region lacks mineral resources. The region's industries mainly produce consumer goods—but there are now many centres of large- and medium-scale industries, including Indore, [[Nagda]] and Ujjain. Indore has a large-scale factory that produces diesel engines. [[Pithampur]], an industrial town 25&nbsp;km from Indore, is known as the Detroit of India for its heavy concentration of automotive industry. Indore is recognised as the commercial capital of Madhya Pradesh, and is the main centre for trade in textiles and agro-based products. It has one of the six [[Indian Institute of Management Indore|Indian Institutes of Management]] and one of sixteen [[Indian Institute of Technology Indore|Indian Institute of Technology]].

== Culture ==
[[File:Figurine coolspark.jpg|thumb|200px|right|A Maratha-styled sculpture from Maheshwar]]
The culture of Malwa has been significantly influenced by Gujarati and Rajasthani culture, because of their geographic proximity. [[Marathi people|Marathi]] influence is also visible, because of recent rule by the [[Marathas]].

The main language of Malwa is [[Malvi language|Malvi]], although Hindi is widely spoken in the cities. This Indo-European language is subclassified as Indo-Aryan. The language is sometimes referred to as Malavi or Ujjaini. Malvi is part of the [[Rajasthani language|Rajasthani]] branch of languages; Nimadi is spoken in the [[Nimar]] region of Madhya Pradesh and in Rajasthan. The dialects of Malvi are, in alphabetical order, Bachadi, [[Pawari|Pawari/Bhoyari]] in Betul, Chhindwara, Pandhurna and Wardha districts.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7uErAQAAIAAJ&q=bhoyari |title=central provinces district gazetteers chhindwara 1907 ,पृष्ठ क्रमांक 43, 63 |year=1907 |publisher=Printed at the Pioneer Press |access-date=19 March 2023 |archive-date=4 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404140051/https://books.google.com/books?id=7uErAQAAIAAJ&q=bhoyari |url-status=live }}</ref> Dholewari, Hoshangabadi, Jamral, Katiyai, Malvi Proper, Patvi, Rangari, Rangri and Sondwari. A survey in 2001 found only five dialects: Ujjaini (in the districts of [[Ujjain district|Ujjain]], [[Indore district|Indore]], [[Dewas district|Dewas]], [[Dhar district|Dhar]], [[Agar Malwa]] and [[Sehore district|Sehore]]), Rajawari ([[Ratlam district|Ratlam]], [[Mandsaur district|Mandsaur]] and [[Neemuch district|Neemuch]]), Umathwari ([[Rajgarh district|Rajgarh]]) and Sondhwari ([[Jhalawar district|Jhalawar]]) and [[Bhoyari]]/[[Pawari]] (in the districts of [[Betul district|Betul]], [[Chhindwara district|Chhindwara]], [[Pandhurna District|Pandhurna]] and [[Wardha district|Wardha]]).  About 55% of the population of Malwa can converse in and about 40% of the population is literate in Hindi, the official language of the Madhya Pradesh state.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ethnologue.com/language/mup|title=Malvi|website=Ethnologue|access-date=1 February 2022|archive-date=30 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330164606/https://www.ethnologue.com/language/mup|url-status=live}}</ref>

Traditional Malwa food has elements of [[Rajasthani cuisine|Rajasthani]], [[Gujarati cuisine|Gujarati]] and [[Maharashtrian cuisine|Maharashtrian]] cuisine. Traditionally, [[jowar]] was the staple cereal, but after the [[Green Revolution in India]], wheat has replaced jowar as the most important food crop; many are [[vegetarian]]s. Since the climate is mostly dry throughout the year, most people rely on stored foods such as pulses, and green vegetables are rare. A typical snack of Malwa is the ''bhutta ri kees'' (made with grated corn roasted in [[ghee]] and later cooked in milk with spices). ''Chakki ri shaak'' is made of wheat dough, which is washed under running water, steamed and then used in a gravy of curd. The traditional bread of Malwa is called ''baati/bafla'', which is essentially a small, round ball of wheat flour, roasted over dung cakes, in the traditional way. ''[[Baati]]'' is typically eaten with dal (pulses), while ''baflas'' are dripping with ghee and soaked with dal. The ''amli ri kadhi'' is ''kadhi'' made with tamarind instead of yogurt. Sweet cakes, made of a variety of wheat called ''tapu'', are prepared during religious festivities. Sweet cereal called ''thulli'' is also typically eaten with milk or yoghurt. Traditional desserts include ''mawa-bati'' (milk-based sweet similar to [[Gulab jamun]]), ''khoprapak'' (coconut-based sweet), ''[[shreekhand]]'' (yogurt based) and ''malpua''.

''[[Lavani]]'' is a widely practised form of folk music in southern Malwa, which was brought to the region by the [[Marathas]]. The ''Nirguni Lavani'' (philosophical) and the ''Shringari Lavani'' (erotic) are two of the main genres. The Bhils have their own folk songs, which are always accompanied by dance. The folk musical modes of Malwa are of four or five notes, and in rare cases six. The devotional music of the ''Nirguni'' cult is popular throughout Malwa. Legends of ''Raja'' Bhoj and ''Bijori'', the ''Kanjar'' girl, and the tale of ''Balabau'' are popular themes for folk songs. Insertions known as ''stobha'' are commonly used in Malwa music; this can occur in four ways: the ''matra stobha'' (syllable insertion), ''varna stobha'' (letter insertion), ''shabda stobha'' (word insertion) and ''vakya stobha'' (sentence insertion).

[[File:Mhow coolspark.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Typical countryside near Mhow during the [[monsoon]] season]]

Malwa was the centre of [[Sanskrit literature]] during and after the Gupta period. The region's most famous playwright, [[Kalidasa]], is considered to be the greatest Indian writer ever. His first surviving play is ''Malavikagnimitra'' (Malavika and Agnimitra). Kalidasa's second play, his masterpiece, is the [[Abhijñānaśākuntalam]], which tells the story of king Dushyanta, who falls in love with a girl of lowly birth, the lovely Shakuntala. The last of Kalidasa's surviving plays is ''[[Vikramuurvashiiya]]'' ("Urvashi conquered by valour"). Kalidasa also wrote the epic poems ''[[Raghuvamsha]]'' ("Dynasty of Raghu"), ''[[Ritusamhaara|Ritusamhāra]]'' and ''Kumarasambhava'' ("Birth of the war god"), as well as the lyric ''[[Meghaduuta]]'' ("The cloud messenger").

''[[Swang (dance drama)|Swang]]'' is a popular dance form in Malwa; its roots go back to the origins of the Indian theatre tradition in the first millennium BC. Since women did not participate in the dance-drama form, men enacted their roles. ''Swang'' incorporates suitable theatrics and mimicry, accompanied alternately by song and dialogue. The genre is dialogue-oriented rather than movement-oriented.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.boloji.com/dances/00123.htm |title='Swang' – The Folk Dance of Malwa |access-date=17 December 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060106195236/http://www.boloji.com/dances/00123.htm |archive-date=6 January 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

''Mandana'' (literally painting) wall and floor paintings are the best-known painting traditions of Malwa. White drawings stand out in contrast to the base material consisting of a mixture of red clay and cow dung. Peacocks, cats, lions, goojari, bawari, the [[swastika]] and chowk are some motifs of this style<!--Consider omitting 'swastika' unless it's really important—many readers will take it the wrong way Re: swastika is an important motif throughout India, absolutely essential in many places. -->. ''Sanjhya'' is a ritual wall painting done by young girls during the annual period when Hindus remember and offer ritual oblation to their ancestors. Malwa miniature paintings are well known for their intricate brushwork.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://ignca.nic.in/nl002903.htm |title=Paintings of Mewar and Malwa |access-date=15 November 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050830194450/http://ignca.nic.in/nl002903.htm |archive-date=30 August 2005 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In the 17th century, an offshoot of the Rajasthani school of miniature painting, known as ''Malwa painting'', was centred largely in Malwa and Bundelkhand. The school preserved the style of the earliest examples, such as the ''Rasikapriya'' series dated 1636 (after a poem analysing the love sentiment) and the ''Amaru Sataka'' (a 17th-century Sanskrit poem). The paintings from this school are flat compositions on black and chocolate-brown backgrounds, with figures shown against a solid colour patch, and architecture painted in vibrant colours.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://filmylabs.blogspot.com/2019/02/badla-movie-2019-badla-trailer-badla.html|title=Malwa painting on Encyclopædia Britannica|access-date=24 July 2022|archive-date=24 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224174255/https://filmylabs.blogspot.com/2019/02/badla-movie-2019-badla-trailer-badla.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The biggest festival of Malwa is the ''Simhastha mela'', held every 12 years, in which more than 40 million pilgrims take a holy dip in river [[Shipra]]. The festival of ''Gana-gour'' is celebrated in honour of [[Shiva]] and [[Parvati]]. The history of the festival goes back to ''Rano Bai'', whose parental home was in Malwa, but who was married in Rajasthan. Rano Bai was strongly attached to Malwa, and did not want to stay in Rajasthan. After marriage, she was allowed to visit Malwa only once a year; ''Gana-gour'' symbolises these annual return visits. The festival is observed by women in the region once in the month of ''Chaitra'' (mid-March) and ''Bhadra'' (mid-August). The ''Ghadlya'' (earthen pot) festival is celebrated by the girls of the region, who gather to visit every house in their village in the evenings, carrying earthen pots with holes for the light from oil lamps inside to escape. In front of every house, the girls recite songs connected with the Ghadlya and receive food or money in return. The ''Gordhan'' festival is celebrated on the 16th day in the month of Kartika. The [[Bhil]]s of the region sing ''Heeda'', anecdotal songs to the cattle, while the women sing the ''Chandrawali'' song, associated with [[Krishna]]'s romance.

The most popular fairs are held in the months of ''[[Phalguna]]'', ''[[Chaitra]]'', ''[[Bhadra (Hindu calendar)|Bhadra]]'', ''Ashvin'' and ''[[Kartika (month)|Kartik]]''. The ''Chaitra'' fair, held at Biaora, and the ''Gal yatras'', held at more than two dozen villages in Malwa are remarkable. Many fairs are held in the tenth day of the month of ''Bhadra'' to mark the birth of [[Tejaji]]. The ''Triveni mela'' is held at Ratlam, and other fairs take place in ''Kartika'' at Ujjain, Mandhata (Nimad), among others.

Muslim community of Malwa is headed by Mufti e Azam Malwa or Grand Mufti of Malwa, who follows Aala Hazrat Imam Ahmed Raza Khan (an important leader of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.shattariyah.blogspot.com/p/barelvi.html|title=Barelvi|access-date=1 February 2022|archive-date=1 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220201042023/http://www.shattariyah.blogspot.com/p/barelvi.html|url-status=live}}</ref>).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Mufti e Malwa Indore|url=http://www.shattariyah.blogspot.com/p/mufti-e-azam-madhya-pradesh.html}}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name=":2">मुफ्ती-ए-मालवा का हुआ इंतकाल, जामा मसजिद में किया सुपुर्दे खाक. [[Dainik Bhaskar]].</ref> He is considered as the supreme fatwa issuing authority of the region. Mufti Rizwanur-Rahman Faruqi was succeeded by his son in law Mufti Habeeb yar Khan. The current incumbent is Mufti Noorul Haq.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" />

== Tourism ==

The main tourist destinations in Malwa are places of historical or religious significance. The river [[Shipra River|Shipra]] and the city of Ujjain have been regarded as sacred for thousands of years. The [[Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga|Mahakal Temple]] of Ujjain is one of the 12 ''[[jyotirling]]as,'' literally meaning ''“pillars of light"''. Ujjain has over 100 other ancient temples, including ''[[Harsidhhi]]'', ''Chintaman Ganesh'', ''Gadh [[Kali]]ka'', ''Kaal [[Bhairava]]'' and ''Mangalnath''. The Kalideh Palace, on the outskirts of the city, is a fine example of ancient Indian architecture. The [[Bhartrihari]] caves are associated with interesting legends. Since the fourth century BC, Ujjain has enjoyed the reputation of being India's [[Greenwich]],<ref>[http://www.ujjain.nic.in/mpdistrictsroot.htm Ujjain district official portal] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051217214342/http://www.ujjain.nic.in/mpdistrictsroot.htm |date=17 December 2005 }}</ref>
as the [[Prime Meridian]] of the Hindu geographers. The observatory built by [[Jai Singh II]] is one of the four such observatories in India and features ancient astronomical devices. The ''Simhastha mela'', celebrated every 12 years, starts on the full moon day in Chaitra (April) and continues into Vaishakha (May) until the next full moon day.

Mandu was originally the fort capital of the Parmar rulers. Towards the end of the 13th century, it came under the sway of the Sultans of Malwa, the first of whom named it Shadiabad (city of joy). It remained as the capital, and in it the sultans built exquisite palaces like the Jahaz Mahal and Hindola Mahal, ornamental canals, baths and pavilions. The massive Jami [[Masjid]] and Hoshang Shah's tomb provided inspiration to the designers of the [[Taj Mahal]] centuries later. [[Baz Bahadur]] built a huge palace in Mandu in the 16th century. Other notable historical monuments are ''Rewa Kund'', [[Roopmati|Rupmati]]'s Pavilion, Nilkanth Mahal, Hathi Mahal, Darya Khan's Tomb, Dai ka Mahal, Malik Mughit is Mosque and Jali Mahal.

Close to Mandu is Maheshwar, a town on the northern bank of [[Narmada River]] that served as the capital of the [[Indore]] state under [[Ahilyabai Holkar]]. The Maratha ''[[rajwada]]'' (fort) is the main attraction. A life-size statue of Rani Ahilya sits on a throne within the fort complex. Dhar was the capital of Malwa before Mandu became the capital in 1405. There, the fort is in ruins but offers a panoramic view. The Bhojashala temple (built-in 1400) is still used as a place of worship on Tuesday. Dhar is also a birthplace of Raja Bhoj. Dhar people named as Dharwasi.

Modern [[Indore]] was planned and built by Ahilyabai Holkar. The grand Lal Baag Palace is one of its grandest monuments. The ''Bada Ganpati'' temple houses what is possibly the largest Ganesh idol in the world, measuring 7.6&nbsp;m from crown to foot. The ''[[Kanch Mandir]]'' is a Jain temple entirely inlaid with glass. The Town Hall was made in 1904 in the indo-gothic style; originally named [[Edward VII of the United Kingdom|King Edward]] Hall, it was renamed [[Mahatma Gandhi]] Hall in 1948. The ''chhatris'' are the tombs or cenotaphs erected in memory of dead Holkar rulers and their family members.

The shrine of Hussain Tekri, built by the [[Nawab of Jaora]], [[Mohammad Iftikhar Ali Khan Bahadur]], in the 19th century, is on the outskirts of Jaora in the Ratlam district. Mohammad Iftikhar Ali Khan Bahadur was buried in the same graveyard where Hussain Tekri was buried. During the month of [[Muharram|Moharram]], thousands of people from all over the world visit the shrine of [[Husayn ibn Ali|Hazrat Imam Hussain]] there, which is a replica of the Iraqi original. The place is famous for the rituals called ''Hajri'' to cure mental illness.

<gallery widths="200px" heights="200px">
Image:Manduvalley1 coolspark.jpg|Mandu Valley
Image:Maheshwar Fort - Exterior 01.jpg|[[Maheshwar|Maheshwar Fort]] (exterior)
Image:Maheshwar Fort 01.jpg|[[Maheshwar|Maheshwar Fort]] (interior)
</gallery>

== Sports ==

[[Cricket]] is one of the most popular sports in the region. [[Indore]] is also home to the [[Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association]]. The city has two international cricket ground, the [[Holkar Cricket Stadium]]. The first cricket ODI match in state was played in Indore at [[Nehru Stadium, Indore]].

[[File:Indore Cricket Bat.JPG|thumb|The ''Vijay Balla'' ("Victory Bat") made out of concrete with names of the players of the Indian team who won the test series against England (1971) and West Indies(1972)]]

=== Venues ===

{| style="border: 1px solid #ADADAD; margin-bottom: 10px; padding-bottom: 15px;"
|-  style="background:#adadad; text-align:left;"
! style="width:50px;"| No.
! style="width:270px;"| Venue
! style="width:170px;"| City
! style="width:270px;"| Sport
! style="width:170px;"| Capacity
|-
| 1
| [[Holkar Cricket Stadium]]
| [[Indore]]
| [[Cricket]]
| 30,000
|-
| 2
| [[Nehru Stadium, Indore|Nehru International Cricket Stadium]]
| [[Indore]]
| [[Cricket]]
| 25,000
|-
| 3
| Indore Sports Complex
| [[Indore]]
| [[Cricket]]
| 50,000
|-
| 4
| [[Abhay Prashal Indoor Stadium|Abhay Khel Prashal]]
| [[Indore]]
| [[Indoor Sports]]
| 500
|-
| 5
| [[Indore Tennis Club]]
| [[Indore]]
| [[Lawn Tennis]]
| 500
|-
| 6
| [[Emerald High School Ground]]
| [[Indore]]
| [[Cricket]]
| 500
|-
|7
|[[Daly College]]
|[[Indore]]
|[[Field hockey|Field hockey]], [[Association football|Football]], [[Cricket]]
|500 each
|-
|}

==Demands for statehood==

There have been demands for a separate Malwa state with the probable capital at [[Indore]]. The region includes the Madhya Pradesh districts of [[Dewas District|Dewas]], [[Mandsaur District|Mandsaur]], [[Neemuch District|Neemuch]], [[Ratlam District|Ratlam]], [[Shajapur District|Shajapur]], [[Agar Malwa district|Agar]], [[Ujjain District|Ujjain]], [[Indore District|Indore]], [[Barwani District|Barwani]], [[Burhanpur District|Burhanpur]], [[Dhar District|Dhar]], [[Jhabua District|Jhabua]], [[Khandwa District|Khandwa]], [[Khargone District|Khargone]], [[Alirajpur District|Alirajpur]] and [[Rajgarh District|Rajgarh]].

== See also ==
* [[Madhya Bharat]]
* [[List of people from Malwa]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}
* [[John Malcolm|Malcolm, Sir John]], ''A Memoir of Central India including Malwa and Adjoining Provinces.'' Calcutta, Spink, 1880, 2 Volumes, 1129 p., ''{{ISBN|81-7305-199-2}}.''
* Chakrabarti, Manika, ''Malwa in Post-Maurya period: a critical study with special emphasis on numismatic evidences.'' Calcutta. Punthi Pustak, 1981.
* Day, Upendra Nath, ''Medieval Malwa: a political and cultural history 1401–1562.'', New Delhi, Munshiram Manoharlal, 1965.
* Jain, Kailash Chand, ''Malwa through the ages from the earliest times to 1305 A.D.'', Delhi, Motilal Banarsidass, 1972.
* Khare, M.D. ''Splendour of Malwa paintings.'', New Delhi, Cosmo Publications, 1983., ''ASIN B0006EHSUU''
* Joshi, Ramchandra Vinayak, ''Stone age cultures of Central India.'', Poona, Deccan College, 1978.
* Seth, K.N., ''The growth of the Paramara power in Malwa.'', Bhopal, Progress Publishers, 1978.
* Sharma, R.K., ed., ''Art of the Paramaras of Malwa.'', Delhi, Agam Kala Prakashan, 1979.
* Sircar, D.C. ''Ancient Malwa and the Vikramaditya tradition.'', New Delhi, Munshiram Manoharlal, 1969., ''{{ISBN|81-215-0348-5}}''
* Singh, Raghubir, ''Malwa in transition'', Laurier Books, 1993, ''{{ISBN|81-206-0750-3}}''
* Srivastava, K, ''The revolt of 1857 in Central India-Malwa'', Allied Publishers, ''ASIN B0007IURKI''
* Ahmad, S. H., ''Anthropometric measurements and ethnic affinities of the Bhil and their allied groups of Malwa area.'', Anthropological Survey of India,1991, ''{{ISBN|81-85579-07-5}}''
* Farooqui, Amar, ''Smuggling as subversion: colonialism, Indian merchants, and the politics of opium, 1790–1843'', Lexington Books, 2005, ''{{ISBN|0-7391-0886-7}}''
* Mathur, Kripa Shanker, ''Caste and ritual in a Malwa village'', Asia Pub. House, 1964.

==External links==
* Paintings of places associated with Malwa as illustrations to {{ws|[[s:Letitia Elizabeth Landon (L. E. L.) in Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1834/The Zenana - Kishen Kower|The Zenana - Kishen Kower]]}}, a poem by [[Letitia Elizabeth Landon]]:
*:''The Pass of Makundra'', by William Purser, engraved by W A LePetit. Page 20.
*:''Perawa, Malwa'', by [[John Sell Cotman]], engraved by W A LePetit. Page 21.

==Bibliography==

* {{Cite book|author=Gopinath Sharma|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jIs9AAAAMAAJ|title=Mewar & the Mughal Emperors (1526–1707 A.D.)|date=1954|publisher=S.L. Agarwala|language=en}}
*{{Cite book|last=Chaurasia|first=Radhey Shyam|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8XnaL7zPXPUC|title=History of Medieval India: From 1000 A.D. to 1707 A.D.|date=2002|publisher=Atlantic Publishers & Dist|isbn=978-81-269-0123-4|language=en}}

{{Commons category|Malwa}}
{{Wikiquote}}
{{Historical places of Rashtrakuta}}
{{Historical regions of North India}}
{{GeoSouthAsia}}{{Plateaus of India}}{{Narmada basin}}{{Authority control}}
{{coord|22.7252|N|75.8655|E|region:IN_type:landmark_source:kolossus-svwiki|display=title}}

[[Category:Malwa| ]]
[[Category:Geography of Madhya Pradesh]]
[[Category:Historical regions in India]]
[[Category:Natural regions of India]]
[[Category:Plateaus of Madhya Pradesh]]
[[Category:Regions of India]]
[[Category:Proposed states and union territories of India]]
[[Category:Geography of Ujjain]]