Maharashtra
The state of Maharashtra occupies a substantial portion of the Deccan Plateau in western India. It stretches from 15°35' N to 22°02' N latitude and 72°36' E to 80°54' E longitude. The Western Ghats run parallel to the Arabian Sea coast, creating a physical barrier on the western side. This mountain range has an average elevation that separates the Konkan coastal plains from the flat Deccan Plateau to the east. The climate is tropical wet and dry with hot, rainy, and cold seasons. Summer temperatures rise steadily until June, reaching between certain ranges in central plains. May is usually the warmest month while January brings the coldest weather. The southwest monsoon arrives in the last week of June and lasts till mid-September. Coastal areas west of the Sahyadri Mountains receive very heavy monsoon rains annually. Just to the east, in the rain shadow of the mountain range, only 500, 700 mm/year falls. Long dry spells leading to drought are common occurrences there. Maharashtra has many districts identified by the Indian Central water commission as prone to drought.
Maharashtra was ruled by the Maurya Empire during the fourth and third centuries BCE. Around 230 BCE, the Satavahana dynasty took control and ruled for the next 400 years. Buddhist Ajanta Caves in present-day Aurangabad display influences from Satavahana and Vakataka styles. These caves were possibly excavated during this period. The Chalukya dynasty ruled the region from the sixth to the eighth centuries CE. Two prominent rulers were Pulakeshin II who defeated north Indian Emperor Harsha and Vikramaditya II who defeated Arab invaders in the eighth century. The Rashtrakuta dynasty ruled Maharashtra from the eighth to the tenth century. Arab traveller Sulaiman al Mahri described ruler Amoghavarsha as one of four great kings of the world. From early 11th century to 12th century, Deccan Plateau was dominated by Western Chalukya Empire and Chola dynasty. Several battles were fought between these empires during reigns of Raja Raja Chola I, Rajendra Chola I, Jayasimha II, Someshvara I, and Vikramaditya VI.
After Indian independence in 1947, Bombay Presidency became Bombay State in Indian Union. Between 1950 and 1956, Berar, Deccan states and Gujarat states were annexed into Bombay State. Aspirations for separate state for Marathi-speaking peoples pursued by United Maharashtra Movement. Their advocacy eventually bore fruit on the 1st of May 1960 when State of Bombay bifurcated into modern states of Maharashtra and Gujarat. In 1950s, Marathi people strongly protested against bilingual Bombay state under banner of Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti. Notable leaders included Keshavrao Jedhe, S.M. Joshi, Shripad Amrit Dange, Pralhad Keshav Atre and Gopalrao Khedkar. Key demand called for Marathi speaking state with Mumbai as capital. In Gujarati speaking areas similar Mahagujarat Movement demanded separate Gujarat state. After many years of protests seeing 106 deaths among protestors and electoral success of samiti in 1957 elections, central government led by Prime minister Nehru split Bombay State into two new states. The state continues to have dispute with Karnataka regarding region of Belgaum and Karwar. Government of Maharashtra filed petition claiming 814 villages and 3 urban settlements.
Economy of Maharashtra is largest in India with gross state domestic product contributing about 14% of all-India nominal GDP. Service sector dominates accounting for 69.3% of value output. Although agriculture accounts for 12% of state GDP it employs nearly half population. Maharashtra is one of most industrialised states in India. Mumbai houses headquarters of major corporate and financial institutions. Bombay Stock Exchange is India's largest stock exchange and oldest in Asia. National Stock Exchange is second-largest stock exchange in India and one of world's largest derivatives exchanges. State has largest proportion of taxpayers in India. Share markets transact almost 70% of country's stocks. As of 2024, Maharashtra is richest state with projected GSDP of ₹42.67 lakh crore for 2024-25 fiscal year. Maharashtra was pioneer in development of Agricultural Cooperative Societies after independence. Special status accorded to sugar cooperatives where government acted as stakeholder, guarantor and regulator. Apart from sugar, cooperatives play crucial role in dairy, cotton, and fertiliser industries. Three largest urban cooperative banks in India are based in Maharashtra.
Politics of state in first decades after formation in 1960 dominated by Indian National Congress party or offshoots like Nationalist Congress Party. At present dominated by four parties: Bharatiya Janata Party, Nationalist Congress Party, Indian National Congress and Shinde's Shiv sena. Politics in last five years saw long-term alliances breaking up like undivided Shivsena and BJP. New ones formed between Congress, NCP, and Shivsena. Regional parties like Shivsena and NCP split up with majority legislators joining new alliance government with BJP. Dynastic politics fairly common among political parties from national level down to village level. In early years politics dominated by Congress figures such as Yashwantrao Chavan, Vasantdada Patil, Vasantrao Naik, and Shankarrao Chavan. Sharad Pawar started career in Congress party and has been towering personality for over forty years. He split Congress twice with significant consequences. Congress enjoyed near unchallenged dominance until 1995 when Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party secured overwhelming majority. After second parting from Congress in 1999, Sharad Pawar founded NCP but then formed coalition with Congress keeping out BJP-Shiv Sena combine for fifteen years until September 2014. Prithviraj Chavan was last Chief Minister under Congress-NCP alliance.
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Common questions
What is the geographical location of Maharashtra?
Maharashtra occupies a substantial portion of the Deccan Plateau in western India and stretches from 15°35' N to 22°02' N latitude and 72°36' E to 80°54' E longitude. The Western Ghats run parallel to the Arabian Sea coast creating a physical barrier on the western side that separates the Konkan coastal plains from the flat Deccan Plateau to the east.
When was the state of Maharashtra officially formed?
The State of Bombay bifurcated into modern states of Maharashtra and Gujarat on the 1st of May 1960 following the United Maharashtra Movement. This division occurred after years of protests by Marathi-speaking peoples who demanded a separate state with Mumbai as capital under the banner of Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti.
Which historical dynasties ruled the region now known as Maharashtra?
Maharashtra was ruled by the Maurya Empire during the fourth and third centuries BCE followed by the Satavahana dynasty which took control around 230 BCE and ruled for the next 400 years. Subsequent rulers included the Chalukya dynasty from the sixth to the eighth centuries CE and the Rashtrakuta dynasty which governed from the eighth to the tenth century.
What is the economic status of Maharashtra in India?
The economy of Maharashtra is largest in India with gross state domestic product contributing about 14% of all-India nominal GDP. As of 2024, Maharashtra is richest state with projected GSDP of ₹42.67 lakh crore for 2024-25 fiscal year and houses headquarters of major corporate and financial institutions including the Bombay Stock Exchange.
Who are the current political leaders dominating Maharashtra politics?
Politics in Maharashtra at present dominated by four parties: Bharatiya Janata Party, Nationalist Congress Party, Indian National Congress and Shinde's Shiv sena. Sharad Pawar has been a towering personality for over forty years having split Congress twice before founding NCP in 1999.