Maharashtra Information

Maharashtra Information is one of the most industrialized states of India

Geography of Maharashtra Information

Maharashtra is located in the northern center of peninsular India, surrounded by the Arabian sea in the west, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh on the north, Madhya Pradesh in the east and Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh on the south. The state extends between the latitudes 15.6? North and 22.1? North and longitudes 72.6? East and 80.9? East.

As far as the geography of Maharashtra goes, much of the state consists of the high Deccan plateau, which is separated from the straight Konkan coastline by 'Ghats'. The Ghats are a succession of steep hills, periodically bisected by narrow roads, and which are often crowned by medieval forts. Given their altitude, it is not surprising that the Ghats are home to the state's hill stations. One of the three major regions of the state is the Sahyadri range with an elevation of 1000 meters.

The unique feature of this region is a series of crowning plateau. Lying between the Arabian Sea and the Sahyadri Range, Konkan is narrow coastal lowland, just 50 km wide and with an elevation below 200 meters. The third important region is the Satpura hills along the northern border, and the Bhamragad-Chiroli-Gaikhuri ranges on the eastern border form physical barriers preventing easy movement. These ranges also serve as natural limits to the state.

Brief History of Maharashtra

Jorwe in the Ahmadnagar district provide many evidences of ancient civilization in Maharashtra. The Chinese traveler Hiun Tsang, who visited this region in 640-641 BC, was quite appreciative of the prosperity of the region in his writings. During third and fourth centuries BC, the region of Konkan remained under the control of the Mauryans, whose policies led to great advancements in the fields of trade and Buddhist learning in the region. After the disintegration of the Mauryan Empire, the Satwahanas (230 BC - AD 225) came to rule this region. Pratishthan or modern Paithan was their capital. This great empire crumbled because of internal feuds in the ranks of vassals. In succession came the great rulers of the Vakataka, Chalukya, and Rashtrakuta empires making Maharashtra a great center of culture and art.

Yadavas were the last of these kingdoms that lost their power in the early 12th century and a long period of Muslim rule started in Maharashtra. Allauddin Khilji was the first ruler to understand the value of the Deccan as the key to extending influence over south India and consecutive rulers from Delhi till the 17th century tried their best to keep this region under their control. From the middle of the 17th century, a new group of warrior people came to dominate the scene in Maharashtra and elsewhere in India called Marathas.

The origin of Marathas is still debatable, but what is known is that they stole the limelight

Districts of Maharashtra Information

Maharashtra state is made up of 35 districts, which are grouped into six divisions. Amravati Division: Akola, Amravati, Buldhana, Washim and Yavatmal

Aurangabad Division (Marathwada): Aurangabad, Beed, Hingoli, Jalna, Latur, Nanded, Osmanabad and Parbhani,

Konkan Division: Mumbai City, Mumbai Suburban, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg and Thane

Nashik Division: Ahmednagar, Dhule, Jalgaon, Nandurbar and Nashik

Nagpur Division: Bhandara, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Gondiya, Nagpur and Wardha,

Pune Division: Kolhapur, Pune, Sangli, Satara and Solapur

Maharashtra Travel Information

Opening some of the most enduring chapters of Indian civilization, Maharashtra offers a wide range of tourist attractions to choose from. Starting from Mumbai, the largest metropolis in India and also its financial capital to Ajanta and Ellora to Mahabaleshwar to Pune to Aurangabad to Lonavala, the state of Maharashtra makes its impression on the mind and soul of the visitors strongly. Other destinations are Aurangabad, Khandala, Lonavala, Mahabaleshwar, Matheran, Mumbai, Nasik, Pune, Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Shirdi, Ganapatipule, Karla Caves etc.