Maharashtra – The Gateway to India
Complete Static GK, Geography, History & Economic Profile (Exam-Oriented Notes)
By Home Academy
Maharashtra is one of the most industrially and culturally significant states of India.
The state is known as the “Gateway to India” because of its strategic location and major port in Mumbai.
1. Maharashtra at a Glance (Static GK Table)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| State Formation | 1 May 1960 (After Bombay State division) |
| Capital | Mumbai |
| Largest City | Mumbai |
| Area | 3,07,713 sq km (3rd largest state) |
| Official Language | Marathi |
| State Animal | Indian Giant Squirrel |
| State Bird | Yellow-footed Green Pigeon |
| State Tree | Mango Tree |
| State Flower | Jarul (Lagerstroemia Speciosa) |
| Total Districts (2011 Census) | 36 |
| Lok Sabha Seats | 48 |
| Rajya Sabha Seats | 19 |
| Legislative Assembly Seats | 288 |
| High Court | Bombay High Court (Mumbai & Nagpur Benches) |
2. Geography of Maharashtra
Maharashtra is located in western-central India.
| Geographical Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Latitude | 15°50’N to 22°04’N |
| Longitude | 72°36’E to 80°54’E |
| Borders | Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Karnataka, Goa; Arabian Sea (West) |
| Physiography | Western Ghats, Deccan Plateau, Coastal Plains |
| Major Peaks | Kalsubai (Highest), Mahabaleshwar Hills |
| Soil Type | Black soil, Laterite soil, Alluvial soil |
| Climate | Tropical – Coastal, Semi-arid inland |
3. Rivers of Maharashtra
| River | Origin | Important Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Godavari | Trimbakeshwar, Nashik | Longest river of Maharashtra |
| Krishna | Mahabaleshwar | Flows into Bay of Bengal |
| Bhima | Western Ghats | Tributary of Krishna |
| Tapti | Satpura Hills | Flows into Arabian Sea |
| Narmada (border) | Amarkantak | Western flowing river |
Major dams: Koyna Dam, Jayakwadi Dam, Ujani Dam, Mulshi Dam.
4. Lakes and Caves of Maharashtra
| Feature | Location | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Lonar Lake | Buldhana | Meteorite crater lake |
| Powai Lake | Mumbai | Freshwater lake |
| Ajanta Caves | Aurangabad | UNESCO World Heritage – Buddhist rock-cut caves |
| Ellora Caves | Aurangabad | 34 Buddhist, Hindu, Jain caves |
| Elephanta Caves | Mumbai | Rock-cut Hindu caves – UNESCO Site |
| Karla & Bhaja Caves | Pune | Ancient Buddhist caves |
Maharashtra is famous for rock-cut architecture and caves, often asked in history and culture sections of exams.
5. Census 2011 Data (Very Important for Exams)
| Indicator | Data |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 11,23,72,972 |
| Rank in Population | 2nd |
| Population Density | 365 per sq km |
| Literacy Rate | 82.34% |
| Male Literacy | 88.38% |
| Female Literacy | 75.87% |
| Sex Ratio | 929 females per 1000 males |
| Urban Population | 45.23% |
Most Populous District: Pune
Highest Literacy: Mumbai Suburban
6. District-wise List (2011 – 36 Districts)
Ahmednagar, Akola, Amravati, Aurangabad, Beed, Bhandara, Buldhana, Chandrapur, Dhule, Gadchiroli, Gondia, Hingoli, Jalgaon, Jalna, Kolhapur, Latur, Mumbai City, Mumbai Suburban, Nagpur, Nanded, Nandurbar, Nashik, Osmanabad, Palghar, Parbhani, Pune, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sangli, Satara, Sindhudurg, Solapur, Thane, Wardha, Washim, Yavatmal.
7. History of Maharashtra
Ancient Period
• Part of Satavahana Dynasty (1st century BCE – 3rd century CE)
• Buddhist caves – Ajanta, Karla
Medieval Period
• Yadava Dynasty, Deccan Sultanates
• Maratha Empire (17th–18th century) – Founded by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
Modern Period
• British rule – Bombay Presidency
• Part of Bombay State before 1960
• Formation of Maharashtra state on 1 May 1960
8. Important Historical, Cultural & Tourist Places
| Place | District | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Gateway of India | Mumbai | Iconic monument |
| Shaniwar Wada | Pune | Maratha architecture |
| Ajanta Caves | Aurangabad | Buddhist heritage |
| Ellora Caves | Aurangabad | Hindu, Buddhist, Jain caves |
| Elephanta Caves | Mumbai | UNESCO heritage |
| Raigad Fort | Raigad | Maratha Empire capital |
| Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus | Mumbai | Heritage railway station |
9. Economy of Maharashtra
| Sector | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary | Agriculture – Sugarcane, Cotton, Jowar |
| Secondary | Industry – Textiles, Automobiles, Electronics, Steel |
| Tertiary | Services – Banking, IT, Tourism, Bollywood |
| Industrial Cities | Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Aurangabad |
| Special Mention | Bollywood – Mumbai, Film Industry Hub |
Maharashtra is India’s leading industrial and financial hub, with Mumbai as the commercial capital.
10. Agriculture & Horticulture
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Major Crops | Sugarcane, Jowar, Rice, Wheat |
| Fruits | Mango (Alphonso), Banana, Grapes |
| Vegetables | Onion, Tomato, Cabbage |
| Cash Crops | Cotton, Soybean |
11. Towns Famous For
| Town | Famous For |
|---|---|
| Mumbai | Bollywood, Finance Hub |
| Pune | IT, Education, Automotive |
| Nashik | Grapes, Wine Industry |
| Aurangabad | Caves, Tourism, Biryani |
| Kolhapur | Sugar Industry, Wrestling |
| Nagpur | Oranges, Multi-modal Transport |
12. Transport in Maharashtra
Airports
| Airport | Location |
|---|---|
| Chhatrapati Shivaji International | Mumbai |
| Pune Airport | Pune |
| Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Airport | Nagpur |
| Aurangabad Airport | Aurangabad |
| Jalgaon Airport | Jalgaon |
Railways
• Central & Western Railway Zones
• Major Junctions: Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Aurangabad
Road Transport
• NH-48, NH-66, NH-52
• Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC)
13. Important Festivals
• Ganesh Chaturthi
• Gudi Padwa
• Diwali
• Makar Sankranti
14. Important Exam Facts
• Mumbai – Financial capital of India
• Bollywood – Largest film industry in India
• Ajanta & Ellora Caves – UNESCO Sites
• Koyna Dam – Major hydroelectric project
• Chhatrapati Shivaji – Founder of Maratha Empire
Conclusion
Maharashtra is historically rich, industrially powerful, and culturally vibrant. For exams, focus on Mumbai, Bollywood, caves, rivers, dams, census data, forts, and Maratha history.
These notes are specially prepared by Home Academy Publication for MPSC, SSC, JKSSB, Railways, and State PCS examinations with an exam-oriented approach.