Cenozoic Era: Age of Mammals and Mountains (66 Mya - present)

The Cenozoic Era, or Navajeevee Mahakaal, marks the age of mammals and the dramatic reshaping of Earth’s surface. Following the extinction of the dinosaurs, mammals diversified and flourished, while the Indian Plate collided with Asia, giving rise to the Himalayas and altering climate patterns. In Telangana, this era saw the uplift of the Western Ghats, formation of the Godavari and Krishna grabens, and carving of deep river valleys. These geological processes sculpted the plateaus, fertile soils, and river systems that would later sustain human settlements and early civilizations.

1. Paleogene & Neogene (66–2.6 Mya)

India: Collision with Asia (~55–50 Mya) formed Himalayas and altered monsoons.
Telangana:
Uplift of Western Ghats
Formation of Godavari & Krishna grabens, deepening valleys
Landscape of plateaus and fertile soils

2. Quaternary Period (2.6 Mya – Present) - Human Age