Wikipedia: Maharashtra

Maharashtra
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Date of formation May 1, 1960

Capital Mumbai

Largest City Mumbai

Governor Mohammad Fazal

Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde

Area 308,000 km²

Population
- Total
- Density Ranked 2nd in India
96,752,247 (2001)
322.5/km²

Literacy rate:
- Total
- Male
- Female
77.27%
86.27%
67.51%

Urbanization: 42.11%

GSDP growth rate: 4.0% (2002-03)

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:

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.

Demographics

See: Konkani, Marathi language

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

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.