RECORDS 
OF THE 
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OE INDIA. 
No. 3.] 1870 [August. 
The Mohpani Coal-field, by H. B. Medlicott, M. A., P. G. S., Deputy Superin¬ 
tendent, Geological Survey of India. 
Sketch-mop of 1859.—Any one wlio Las examined with attention the sketch-map 
of the middle Narbada region, published in 1859 by the Geological Survey of India, must 
have noticed how few actual coal-crops are marked in the large area colored as possibly 
coal-bearing; and more especially, how very partially those outcrops are distributed in that 
area. With the exception of Mohpani, and the less known case near Lokartalai, all the 
observed coal-localities occur close to the south border of tho basin of stratified rocks, far 
from the Narbada valley, on the south tributaries of the Upper Tawa and in the valley of 
the Bench river. A reference to the index of colours on the sketch-map, and to the 
descriptive text (Vol. II., Mem., Geological Survey, India,) would suggest possible explana¬ 
tions of these peculiarities: two groups or formations, the Damiida and the Talcbir, are mapped 
under one colour. It was known at tho time (see. p. 119, etc.) that the coal is confined 
to the upper group; but the demarcation between the two is very obscure in this region, 
and it would have been at that time impracticable to have undertaken to separate them, 
as no sufficiently accurate map of the country was to be had. Another possible explanation 
of the anomalous distribution to which I have drawn attention is suggested by the some¬ 
what doubtful boundary between the Damiida group and the overlying strata of the 
Mabaddva series, as noticed at page 191 and elsewhere—the possibility that some of the 
latter may have been locally included with the former, thus unduly enlarging the apparent 
area of the coal-bearing rocks. 
It has long been the desire of the Superintendent of the Geological Survey to clear up 
all these known doubts, more especially with reference to the very pressing question of the 
coal-supply to the railway that now passes close along the northern margin of this area. Tho 
much increased knowledge of all these rocks that has been attained within the last few 
years will greatly facilitate the final separation of the groups ; and thus definite information 
will he available for the guidance of mining experiments. The detailed topographical survey 
of this region is now nearly completed; and proof copies before publication of some of the 
sheets having been obligingly supplied from the Surveyor General’s Office, tho revision of 
the geological work was commenced in November last. It will be some time before tho 
detailed examination of so large an area can bo completed ; but some definite results have 
been already obtained, hearing very importantly upon the question of the coal-supply and the 
proper direction for further mining explorations. 
Alterations to be made .—To any who have not applied the necessary reservations to 
the indications of the sketch-map, the present information will ho somewhat disappointing. 
It is still to be expected that coal will he found where it is not now known ; but. observations 
made this year greatly reduce the area to which such hopes can be applied with any con¬ 
fidence ; tho negative indications of the sketch-map have been substantiated by the verifica¬ 
tion of the surmises that have just been pointed out regarding them. The case may be very 
briefly stated, and easily understood by a reference to the old map: the whole of the 
Dliudhi valley, and all the valley of the Dcuwa (or Deor) north of the Pachmari range, 
are formed of rocks belonging to the Mahadcva series,* in which there is no prospect what¬ 
ever of coal; although it may occur beneath them. A note on the sketch-map indicates the 
* In the report under notice the name Mahadeva is used as that of a single group; but recent investigations 
here and elsewhere tend to show that it comprises several groups, for which collectively the name may perhaps be 
retained. It would be out of place to discuss the question in the present report. 
