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Maharashtra GK

Nov 30, 2025

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

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