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: