Explore the Maharashtra district map showing the 36 districts, district headquarters and state capital.
Districts of Maharashtra
No
District Name
Headquarter Name
1
Ahmednagar
Ahmednagar
2
Akola
Akola
3
Amravati
Amravati
4
Aurangabad
Aurangabad
5
Beed
Beed
6
Bhandara
Bhandara
7
Buldhana
Buldhana
8
Chandrapur
Chandrapur
9
Dhule
Dhule
10
Gadchiroli
Gadchiroli
11
Gondia
Gondia
12
Hingoli
Hingoli
13
Jalgaon
Jalgaon
14
Jalna
Jalna
15
Kolhapur
Kolhapur
16
Latur
Latur
17
Mumbai City
Mumbai
18
Mumbai Suburban
Bandra
19
Nagpur
Nagpur
20
Nanded
Nanded
21
Nandurbar
Nandurbar
22
Nashik
Nashik
23
Osmanabad
Osmanabad
24
Palghar
Palghar
25
Parbhani
Parbhani
26
Pune
Pune
27
Raigad
Alibag
28
Ratnagiri
Ratnagiri
29
Sangli
Sangli
30
Satara
Satara
31
Sindhudurg
Oros
32
Solapur
Solapur
33
Thane
Thane
34
Wardha
Wardha
35
Washim
Washim
36
Yavatmal
Yavatmal
About Maharashtra
Maharashtra is the second biggest state of India in the western part of the country. The state covers an area of 307,713 square kilometres (118,809 square miles) and is the third largest in terms of size. The population of the state was more than 124 million people according to the 2011 Census and this population has made Maharashtra a major economic, cultural, and industrial power house of India. Mumbai, the capital of the state, is the financial capital of India and sits on stock exchanges, corporate headquarters, and the Bollywood film industry.
Geography and Climate
Adjoining it are Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Goa on its borders, and on its western coastline, the Arabian Sea. The land of Maharashtra is also diverse in its landscape i.e. it has Western Ghats, Deccan Plateau and the coastal Konkan. The Western Ghats, which are also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are rich in biodiversity and play a significant role in shaping the climate of Maharashtra. The climate of the state is tropical monsoon climate with summer from March to June with hot conditions, monsoon rain from June to September and cool winter from November to February. The rainfall is also not the same across the regions; coastal areas receive about 2,500 mm and the interior regions receive as low as 600 mm.
History and Cultural Heritage
Going back to ancient times Maharashtra has a rich historical background. The Mauryas, Satavahanas, Rashtrakutas and Chalukyas — prominent dynasties of the state are also its products. The medieval period also witnessed the rise of Maratha Empire with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, a leader who founded a strong military and administrative system. Many a leader who fought for India's independence belonged to Maharashtra; Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar were also from the state.
From the viewpoint of culture Maharashtra is known for its literature, music and performing arts. The Marathi language which is the majority language has its own sweet literature development with famous poets and authors. The state celebrates its festivals with a lot of fanfare, some of which includes, Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali and Makar Sankranti. Lavani and Tamasha, are traditional folk dance and music forms, which are an essential part of Maharashtra's cultural heritage.
Economy and Industrial Development
Being the second largest state in India, Maharashtra is the most industrialized state of India contributing about 15% in the national GDP. The financial capital of India, Mumbai is the home of Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and major banks and corporations' headquarters. In information technology, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and textiles industries, the state has strong presence. Pune is the IT education and automotive industry hub, while Nashik is famous for wine production and Aurangabad for automobile manufacturing.
Agriculture is still the main occupation and renders employment to nearly half the population of the state. The chief crops are sugarcane, cotton, soybeans and rice. It is the largest producer of grapes and onions in India. The Jayakwadi Dam and other state's irrigation projects sustain agricultural productivity in drought prone regions.
Tourism and Natural Attractions
Tourism is also a major industry in Maharashtra; it attracts millions of domestic and international visitors every year. The state has several UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the Ajanta and Ellora caves where you can see ancient rock cut architecture and Buddhist, Hindu and Jain sculptures. The Elephanta caves near Mumbai is another historical marvel.
For scenic retreats, there are Lonavala, Mahabaleshwar and Matheran; but for wildlife, there are national parks like Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve and Sanjay Gandhi National Park. The coastline of Maharashtra has beautiful beaches in Alibaug, Ganpatipule and Tarkarli, which are famous for water sports and relaxation.
Education and Research
Being the third largest state in India, Maharashtra has a very well structured and organized education system with several prestigious colleges and universities which add to its excellence. The University of Mumbai, one of the oldest universities of India, along with Savitribai Phule Pune University and IIT Bombay are the attracting students from all over the country. The state is also a hub for medical and management education; institutions like the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) and Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Nagpur are also there.
Infrastructure and Connectivity
The state has a very good infrastructure in place with a very good road and rail network. The Mumbai Pune Expressway a six lane concrete highway is the first in India to be constructed. Cement concrete roads are present on the Mumbai Pune expresswayCChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai is one of Indias busiest airports and more than millions of passengers annually. The Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) is India's biggest container port, which helps in the movement of goods to and from international trade.
In addition, Maharashtra is also leading in metro rail projects—improving urban transportation with Mumbai Metro, Pune Metro, and Nagpur Metro. From among them, the upcoming Mumbai Ahmedabad Bullet Train project is expected to further enhance the state’s connectivity.
Governance and Administration
Maharashtra has a bicameral legislative system consisting of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council. The chief minister is the head of the government; the governor is the constitutional head. The state is divided into six administrative divisions and 36 districts; Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Nashik and Aurangabad are major urban centers.
Challenges and Future Prospects
However, rural distress, water scarcity and urban congestion are the challenges even for the economically and industrially growing Maharashtra. These issues are being addressed through efforts like the Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan for water conservation and Smart Cities projects for better urban living conditions. Renewable energy sector is also getting a boost in the state with solar and wind power projects picking up pace. Being a diverse economy, culturally rich and with progressive governance, Maharashtra is still one of the leading states of India and is thus contributing significantly in the formation of India’s future.
History
One of the most historically charged states in India, Maharashtra has a long and complex history of ancient civilizations, great empires, and social political movements that have defined the modern state. In the western part of the Indian subcontinent, it is the place of ancient civilizations, great empires, and socio-political movements that created the modern identity. The history of the state is also interwoven with the growth of India, covering prehistoric settlements and the state’s modern industrial and economic growth.
Ancient and Early History
The oldest signs of people’s presence in Maharashtra are as old as the Stone Age. Early agricultural communities are believed to have lived in places like Nashik, Jorwe and Daimabad. The Chalcolithic culture was also found to have emerged around 1500 BCE with evidence of well planned settlements and trade practices.
During the Vedic period Maharashtra was part of several Janapadas (small kingdoms) and were a part of Vidarbha, Ashmak country. Among them, the Ashmak country is well known from the Mahabharata and Buddhist literature. The Maurya Empire (4th–2nd century BCE) was later a influence on the region during which Buddhism and Jainism came to prominence. The spread of Buddhism in Maharashtra can be attributed largely to Emperor Ashoka and this is evident in the rock-cut caves of Ajanta, Ellora and Karla which are from this period.
Rule of Satavahanas and Vakatakas
The Satavahana dynasty was one of the first indigenous rulers to have taken control of Maharashtra from 2nd century BCE to 3rd century CE. They were also very vital in the trade with the Roman Empire and were contributors to art, architecture and literature. The Satavahanas were patrons of Buddhism and this resulted to the construction of many cave temples and monasteries.
After the Satavahanas, the Vakataka dynasty (3rd-6th century CE) also contributed to the cultural growth of Maharashtra. They were famous for their patronage of art and architecture, and the famous Ajanta Caves were also developed during their reign.
Medieval Period and the Yadavas
During the medieval period of India there were emerged several regional powers in Maharashtra such as Rashtrakutas (8th-10th century) and Chalukyas (6th-12th century). The Rashtrakutas, whose capital was at Manyakheta, were one of the most powerful dynasties of India and were great contributors in the field of art and culture in India, their contribution includes building the Kailasa temple at Ellora.
In the 12th century, the Yadava dynasty of Devagiri (modern Daulatabad) rose to prominence as a major political force. During the rule of Singhana, economy and politics of the region took a boost. But in 1294 AD, the Delhi Sultan, Alauddin Khilji, invaded the Yadava kingdom, and thus began the Muslim domination in the area.
Mughal and Maratha Period
In the 17th Century the Mughal Empire had incorporated Maharashtra. But this time also there was the emergence of Marathas under the leadership of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Born in 1630 A.D. Shivaji founded a small but powerful kingdom by seizing power from the Mughals and Adil Shahi Sultan of Bijapur. His guerilla warfare tactics, administrative reforms and naval advancements were such that he became a legend in Indian history. He took crown of Chhatrapati in 1674 from Raigad Fort.
Shivaji’s death in 1680 did not mark the end of expansion of the Maratha Empire; his successors, including Sambhaji, Rajaram, and later the Peshwas, who shifted the power center to Pune. By the 18th century, the Marathas had also established their dominance in India, challenging the Mughals and extending their dominance all over the subcontinent. They were finally defeated in the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761 which weakened their control and by the early 19th century the British East India Company had taken over Maharashtra.
British Rule and Freedom Struggle
During British rule (1818-1947), Maharashtra was a very important region in the Indian freedom struggle. Mumbai (then Bombay) developed as a significant commercial and administrative capital. The region has seen several movements against the British rule, right from the early resistance by the Bhakti saints to the social and political awakening initiated by leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
Tilak, called the ‘Father of Indian Unrest’, spread the slogan “Swaraj is my birthright” to rouse many to the freedom movement. Social reforms were also a focus in Maharashtra, with the Phule couple, Jyotirao and Savitribai, striving for the betterment of the lower castes and the educational advancement of women.
Post-Independence and Formation of Maharashtra
After the independence of India in the year 1947, Maharashtra went through a major political change. The Marathi speaking state was demanding a separate state which resulted in Samyukta Maharashtra Movement. On May 1st 1960, Maharashtra was created as a separate state and Mumbai as it's capital. It is now celebrated as Maharashtra Day.
Over the years since its formation Maharashtra has developed as one of the most prosperous Indian state in industries, finance, education and culture. It still continues to play a very important role in India’s economic and political landscape and Mumbai is the financial capital of the country.
