The Geology of India by DN Wadia, a geologist with the Geological Survey of India, is considered to be one of the most important and complete reference works available today on the subject.
The book divides India into three main geological divisions - the triangular plateau of the peninsula, the mountainous or the extra-peninsular region bordering India on the west north and east, and the Indo-gangetic plain extending from the valley of the Indus to the valley of the Brahmaputra in Assam. The desert region of western Rajasthan is considered to be a unique fourth category, as it combines characteristics of two of the three main divisions.
The scope of the book covers details of the physical features, stratigraphy, physiography, distribution, configuration, economic uses, production, petrology, classification and sub-classification, microscopic characters, lithology, extent, thickness, inter-relation, rock structure, origin and history, details of flora/fauna and life during the formative period, geography, physical changes, elevation and geo-tectonic relations, of each of India's geological sub-systems, as well as an overall country-level overview.
The sub-systems have been organised and classified, on the basis of the age of the underlying earth matter and on the basis of the region and geological division, the earth matter belongs to. A summary table of the various geological formations of India (extracted from page 43-47 of the book), along with the brief contents listed below, will help to grasp the overall scope of the book, as well quickly track down a specific geographical region/place or geological formation of interest.
1. Physical features,
2. Stratigraphy of India,
3. The Archaean System,
4. The Dharwar System,
5. The Cuddapah System,
6. The Vindhyan System,
7. The Cambrian System,
8. The Silurian, Devonian and Lower Carboniferous Systems,
9, 10. The Gondwana System,
11. The Upper Carboniferous and Permian Systems,
12. The Triassic System,
13. The Jurassic System,
14, 15. The Cretaceous System,
16. The Deccan Trap,
17. The Tertiary Systems,
18. The Eocene System,
19. The Oligocene and Lower Miocene Systems,
20. The Siwalik System - Middle Miocene and Lower Pliocene,
21-24. The Pleistocene System,
25. Physiography,
26. Economic Geology,
27. Geology and Stratigraphy of Kashmir;
Index (Total - 398 pages)