Maharashtra

Maharashtra is a state in western India. The basis for creation (demarcation) of the state in its present form on May 1, 1960 was linguistic majority (Marathi). Its population was 96,752,247 (2nd most populous state in India) as per provisional results of Census of India, 2001. Its capital is Mumbai, the economic powerhouse of India.

Only 11 countries of the world have a population greater than Maharashtra.

Maharashtra is the no. 1 state in India in terms of getting foreign investment getting 17% of all foreign direct investment in India. 32% of all exports from India are from the state of Maharashtra as per economic survey of Government of Maharashtra in 2002-03.

Timeline

• 230 BC to 225 AD: ruled by the Satvahanas
• 250 to 525: The Vakatakas brought Vidharba under their rule.
• 550 to 760: Ruled by the Chalukyas
• 640 Chinese pilgrim Hiun Tsang visited Maharashtra
• 973: Rashtrakuta rule comes to an end
• 973 to 1180: Ruled by the Chalukyas
• 1189 to 1310: Ruled by the Yadavas of Deogiri
• 1296: Alla-ud-din Khilji, the first Muslim sultan of the North penetrates the Deccan, defeats the Yadavas and carried away a huge booty.
• 1658 - 1700 : Rise of Shivaji and followers -- period of rebellion against the Mogul empire (see Maratha empire).
• June 3, 1818: Bajirao II submitted to the British
• November 1, 1956: State of Gujarat formed of which Maharashtra was a part.
• May 1, 1960: Maharashtra takes its current form as a Marathi state.

See also: Shivaji, Social Reform Movement in Maharashtra

Geography

It has Goa and Karnataka to its south, Andhra Pradesh to its southeast, Gujarat, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman and Madhya Pradesh to its north, Chhattisgarh to its east, and the Arabian Sea to its west.

Other cities include:

• Ahmednagar
• Aurangabad
• Chiplun
• Jalgaon
• Kolhapur
• Nagpur
• Nasik
• Pune
• Sholapur
• Thane

Rivers include:

• the Krishna River originates at Mahabaleswar, Maharashtra and joins the sea in the Bay of Bengal at Hamasaladeevi, Andhra Pradesh
• the Godavari River rises at Trimbak, near Nasik and Mumbai in Maharashtra

Economy

Maharashtra is one of the most advanced states in India, boasting a strong industrialized economy, and the largest power production and consumption in the nation.

Main items of export from Maharashtra

• gems and jewelries
• readymade garments
• cotton yarn
• made-up fabrics
• machinery and instruments
• metal products
• agro-based products

Demographics

See: Konkani, Marathi language

Culture

The Indian film industry, commonly called Bollywood (the largest film industry in the world), is centered here.

It has a glorious history, and has given birth to great warriors, like Shivaji, and Bajirao, and to national leaders, including M. G. Ranade and Lokamanya Tilak.

Transport and Communications

Total road length: 266,000 km.
Total railroad length: 5,459 km. (8.6% of total railroad length in India)
Number of telephone lines: 6.074 million

Tourism

List of prominent shrines in Maharashtra

• Dehu
• Alandi
• Ghrishneshwar Temple
• Khuldabad
• Siddhivinayak Temple
• Jejuri
• Shirdi
• Khidrapur
• Meherabad
• Anwa Temple
• Ashta Vinayak
• Trimbakeshwar
• Narasimha Wadi
• Mahalaxmi Temple, Mumbai
• Bhimashankar
• Saptashringi Devi Temple
• Haji Ali Shrine
• Meherabad and Meherazad, near Ahmednagar, India

List of hill stations

• Khandala
• Lonavala
• Matheran
• Mahabaleshwar
• Panchgani

Miscellaneous

• List of districts in Maharashtra
• List of people from Maharashtra

Government resources

• Official website

Colleges and universities

• Armed Forces Medical College, Pune
• Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay. IIT-B
• University of Mumbai, Bombay

AIDS

16.7% of AIDS cases in India are from Maharashtra. This means that incidence of AIDS in Maharashtra is 67% higher the average prevalence in India.

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