Mahārāshtra

Mahārāshtra, state in western India, bordered on the northwest by Gujarāt state; on the north by Madhya Pradesh state; on the east by Chhattisgarh state; on the south by Andhra Pradesh state, Karnātaka state, and Goa state; and on the west by the Arabian Sea. Mahārāshtra covers an area of 307,690 sq km (118,800 sq mi).

Running parallel to the seacoast of the state are the Western Ghats, a highland area with elevations of about 2,100 m (about 7,000 ft). Between this area and the Arabian Sea is a narrow strip of land known as the Konkan. In addition to the city of Mumbai (formerly Bombay), there are several other ports. A large plateau crossed by a number of rivers is located inland. On the coast the average minimum temperature in January is 16°C (61°F), and the average maximum is 32°C (90°F). In June the average minimum temperature is 26°C (79°F), and the average maximum is also 32°C (90°F). Inland the average temperatures range from 14° to 29°C (57° to 84°F) in January and from 25° to 40°C (77° to 104°F) in May. Mahārāshtra has a monsoon season that accounts for about 80 percent of its annual rainfall.

In 2001 the population of Mahārāshtra was 96,752,247, with an average density of 314 persons per sq km (813 per sq mi). The capital of Mahārāshtra is Mumbai. Mahārāshtra's population is varied and includes the Bhil, Gond, Gowari, Korku, and Warli. The official language is Marathi, which is spoken by about 90 percent of the population; other languages include Urdu, Hindi, and English. Most of the population is Hindu, although there are Muslim, Buddhist, and Christian minorities. In 2001 about 77 percent of the population was literate. Several universities are located in Mahārāshtra, including the University of Mumbai (founded in 1857) in Mumbai, Marathwada Agricultural University (1972) in Parbhani, the University of Nāgpur (1923) in Nāgpur, and the University of Pune (1949) in Pune.

Agriculture is practiced in the state; the chief crops are rice, wheat, durra, millet, sugarcane, groundnuts, and cotton. The livestock raised include buffalo and other cattle, sheep, goats, and poultry. Among industries, the manufacture of cotton and wool textiles is dominant. Other industries involve engineering, transport, and the production of sugar, industrial alcohol, chemicals, and food. A large rail network is centered in Mumbai.

Mahārāshtra has a double-chamber legislature, with 78 seats in its legislative council and 288 seats in its legislative assembly. The state sends 67 members to the Indian national parliament: 19 to the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) and 48 to the Lok Sabha (House of the People). The state has 30 districts for local administrative purposes.

In May 1960 the former Bombay state was reorganized, with part forming Mahārāshtra state and the remainder becoming Gujarāt and Karnātaka states.