Maharashtras

Maharashtras is a plural form that can refer to the people of the Indian state of Maharashtra. In common usage, the demonyms Maharashtrians or Marathis are preferred; Maharashtras is rarely used in formal writing.

Geographically, Maharashtra is located in western India and borders Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and the Arabian Sea. It includes major urban centers such as Mumbai, the state capital of film and finance, and Pune, a center of education and industry. The region comprises coastal Konkan with the Western Ghats inland, supporting a range of ecosystems, industries, and agricultural activity.

The official language is Marathi, written in the Devanagari script. Marathi is widely spoken across the state alongside other languages and dialects. Maharashtra has a rich cultural tradition, including literature, theatre, music, and cinema. Cultural expressions such as Ganesh Chaturthi and Gudi Padwa are widely observed.

Historically, the area was the heartland of the Maratha Empire in the 17th and 18th centuries, which played a significant role in Indian history. Under British rule, it was part of the Bombay Presidency. The modern state of Maharashtra was formed on 1 May 1960 by linguistic reorganization, combining Marathi-speaking regions from the former Bombay State with the Vidarbha region.

Economically, Maharashtra is one of India's most important states, with Mumbai as a major financial and commercial hub. The economy is diverse, encompassing finance, manufacturing, information technology, agriculture (notably sugarcane and onions), and services, making its urban and rural communities influential within the country.