The Aravalli Craton, representing the Precambrian nucleus of northwestern India, consists of the Archean Banded Gneissic Complex (BGC; 3.3-2.5 Ga) overlain by Paleoproterozoic (-2.2-1.7 Ga) and Paleo-to Neoproterozoic (-1.7-0.7 Ga) metasedimentary sequences of the Aravalli and Delhi supergroups, respectively. The extensively reworked Late Paleoproterozoic terrane located between the Aravalli and Delhi supracrustal sequences is known as the Sandmata Complex. The BGC, Sandmata Complex and supracrustal sequences, collectively known as Aravalli Craton, were developed by multiple accretionary-collisional processes from-3.3 to 0.7 Ga and are regarded as classical terranes for understanding Precambrian crustal evolution. The previous multidisciplinary studies have invariably described the litho-tectonic relationships of the Aravalli Craton. Considering the volu-minous literature and arguable interpretations, we present a holistic review addressing the Mesoarchean to Neoproterozoic tectonic evolution of the basement and the polydeformed supracrustal sequences of Aravalli and Delhi supergroups. We suggest that the Aravalli Craton evolved by the accretionary-collisional interactions be-tween three major crustal domains, viz., the Mewar gneissic terrane and intrusive granitoids (-3.3-2.5 Ga), the Aravalli fold belt (-2.2-1.7 Ga) and the Delhi fold belt (-1.7-0.7 Ga). The Mewar gneissic terrane formed between 3.3 Ga and 2.7 Ga by partial melting of hydrated mafic crust, where the terrane evolved continuously and finally stabilized due to the collision between the Bundelkhand and Aravalli cratons, resulting in the emplacement of several granitoids between 2.6 and 2.4 Ga. The subsequent development of the Aravalli fold belt (-2.2-1.7 Ga) to the west of Mewar gneissic terrane was characterized by the-2.2-2.1 Ga mafic-ultramafic volcanism and-1.8-1.7 Ga felsic magmatism, marking the opening and closing of the Aravalli Basin, respec-tively. The final closure of this basin was contemporaneous with the exhumation of the Sandmata granulite terrane along the western margin of Aravalli fold belt. Although the Sandmata Complex was previously inter-preted as a reworked equivalent of the basement gneisses, based on contrasting lithology, deformation styles and metamorphic grade, we infer that the Sandmata Complex possibly represents an independent terrane with a distinct tectonothermal history. The tectonic evolution of the Delhi Basin most likely took place in two stages from-1.7 to 0.7 Ga. The initial stage (-1.7-1.4 Ga) led to the development of the north Delhi fold belt and emplacement of A-type granitoids (-1.5-1.4 Ga), whereas the high-grade metamorphism and I-and S-type granite magmatism in the southern part characterize the later stage (-1.3-0.7 Ga) of the Delhi Basin. Following the Delhi Basin closure, the areas to the west of the Aravalli Craton witnessed the emplacement of the Malani Igneous Suite and the development of the Sirohi and Marwar basins. Altogether, the available key information on structural patterns, magmatic-metamorphic histories and geochronology allows more detailed correlations with possible contiguous orogens of the Great Indian Proterozoic Fold Belt. Our synthesis and tectonic interpretations help us discuss and provide alternate explanations for some of the controversial issues from existing tectonic models. Further, we summarize important unresolved issues, which require special attention to improve our knowledge of the Archean to Proterozoic crustal evolution in northwestern India.
