Maharashtra GK

1. Basic Identity

• Formation Date:  May 1, 1960 (as part of the Bombay Reorganisation Act)

• Capital:   Mumbai  (Financial Capital of India)

• Second Capital:   Nagpur  (Winter Session of the State Legislature is held here)

• Official Language:  Marathi

• State Animal:  Indian Giant Squirrel (Shekru)

• State Bird:  Yellow-footed Green Pigeon (Hariyal)

• State Tree:  Mango Tree (Aamra)

• State Flower:  Jarul (Tamhan)

​​​​​​ 2. Geography

• Location:  Western and Central India

• Coastline:  Konkan Coast along the Arabian Sea (~720 km)

• Major Regions:

  1. Konkan:  Coastal strip with Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg.

  2. Western Ghats (Sahyadri):  Mountain range, a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its biodiversity.

  3. Desh / Khandesh:  Plateau region including Pune, Ahmednagar, Nashik.

  4. Marathwada:  Aurangabad, Beed, Latur, Nanded, etc.

  5. Vidarbha:  Nagpur, Amravati, Akola, Chandrapur, etc.

• Major Rivers:  Godavari, Krishna, Bhima, Tapi, Wardha, Painganga.

• Major Dams:

  • Koyna Dam (Satara) - Hydroelectricity

  • Jayakwadi Dam (Paithan) - On Godavari

  • Bhatsa Dam (Thane) - Water for Mumbai

  • Totladoh Dam (Nagpur) - Irrigation in Vidarbha

3. History at a Glance

• Ancient:  Ruled by Mauryas, Satavahanas (who established Pratishthana - modern Paithan), Vakatakas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas.

• Medieval:  The Yadavas of Devagiri were the last major Hindu kingdom before the Delhi Sultanate.

• Maratha Empire (1645-1818):

  • Founder:  Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (coronated in 1674 at Raigad Fort).

  • Peshwa Era:  The prime ministers of the Maratha Empire, with their capital in Pune, expanded the empire across India.

• Colonial Era:

  • Bombay Presidency was a major administrative region of British India.

  • Mumbai was a key center for trade and the Indian freedom struggle.

• Post-Independence:  The state of Bombay was split on a linguistic basis on  May 1, 1960 , creating the Marathi-speaking state of Maharashtra and the Gujarati-speaking state of Gujarat.

4. Government and Politics

• Chief Minister:  Eknath Shinde

• Deputy Chief Ministers:  Devendra Fadnavis & Ajit Pawar

• Governor:  Ramesh Bais

• Administrative Divisions:  6 Revenue Divisions (Konkan, Pune, Nashik, Aurangabad, Amravati, Nagpur)

• Number of Districts:  36

• Lok Sabha Seats:  48

• Vidhan Sabha Seats:  288

5. Economy & Industry

Maharashtra is the most industrialized and economically developed state in India.

• GDP:  Contributes the largest share to India's GDP.

• Industries:

  • Automobile:  Pune (Detroit of India), Nashik, Aurangabad.

  • IT & ITES:  Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur.

  • Finance:  Mumbai is home to the RBI, Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), and National Stock Exchange (NSE).

  • Entertainment:  Mumbai is the hub of the Hindi film industry (Bollywood) and Marathi cinema.

  • Textiles:  Mumbai, Ichalkaranji, Malegaon.

  • Jewellery:  Mumbai is a major center for diamond polishing and jewellery making.

• Agriculture:  Major producer of sugarcane, cotton, soybean, tur (pigeon pea), and oranges (Nagpur).

• Minerals:  Coal (in Vidarbha), Bauxite, Iron ore.

6. Culture & Heritage

• Festivals:

  • Ganesh Chaturthi:  The most popular festival, publicly celebrated with great enthusiasm since the time of Lokmanya Tilak.

  • Gudi Padwa:  Marathi New Year.

  • Makar Sankranti (Pedda Panduga):  Celebrated as  Til Gul .

  • Pola:  Festival honoring bullocks.

• Cuisine:

  • Popular Dishes:  Vada Pav, Misal Pav, Puran Poli, Sabudana Khichdi, Poha, Bharli Vangi, Pithla-Bhakri.

  • Seafood:  Dominant in the Konkan region.

  • Sweets:  Modak, Shrikhand, Basundi, Puran Poli.

• Music & Dance:

  • Lavani:  A powerful and energetic folk dance form.

  • Povadas:  Ballads singing the praises of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

  • Tamasha:  A traditional folk theatre.

• Art & Craft:  Paithani and Himroo sarees, Warli paintings, Kolhapuri chappals.

7. Tourism

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

  • Ajanta & Ellora Caves (Aurangabad)

  • Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Mumbai

  • Elephanta Caves (Mumbai Harbour)

  • Victorian and Art Deco Ensemble of Mumbai

• Hill Stations:  Mahabaleshwar, Matheran, Panchgani, Lonavala & Khandala.

• Pilgrimage Sites:

  • Ashtavinayak:  Eight temples of Lord Ganesha.

  • Shirdi (Saibaba Temple), Shani Shingnapur, Trimbakeshwar (Nashik, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas), Hazur Sahib (Nanded).

• Tiger Reserves & Sanctuaries:

  • Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, Pench Tiger Reserve, Melghat Tiger Reserve, Sahyadri Tiger Reserve.

• Forts:  Over 350 forts, including Raigad, Sinhagad, Pratapgad, and Shivneri (birthplace of Shivaji Maharaj).

8. Important Personalities

• Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj:  Founder of the Maratha Empire.

• Mahatma Jyotirao Phule:  Social reformer and activist.

• Dr. B. R. Ambedkar:  Architect of the Indian Constitution.

• Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak:  Leader of the Indian Independence Movement.

• Lata Mangeshkar & Asha Bhosle:  Legendary playback