Origin of Lower Cretaceous quartzose arenites in northern India and the Indus Basins of Pakistan—The result of provenance composition, weathering or diagenesis?

Lower Cretaceous (Aptian-Albian) sandstones of the Ghaggar-Hakra Formation in Barmer Basin northwest Rajasthan, India, have a complex depositional history which is confusing given they are quartzose arenites. The heavy mineral grains very well-rounded, and assemblage dominated by zircon rutile suggesting that sediments been recycled multiple times, whilst presence staurolite indicates metapelite provenance component. Petrographical analysis suggests extreme diagenesis cannot account for arenite composition, despite Early soil formation at least two periods subsequent telogenetic modification. An alternative explanation to chemical weathering area multi-cycle derived, part, from arenites Cambrian Jodhpur Group. This variations detrital mineralogy across Western India Rift System Indus Basins result transcontinental fluvial transport systems sourcing sediment specific basement highs (Nagar Parker High, Devikot Deodar Ridge Aravalli Mountain Range) mixed with varying proportions derived Consequently, we suggest were controlled local palaeogeographies within failed rifts Cambay both basins formed barriers Range Indian plate into surrounding basins.