Satara

Satara is a city and the administrative headquarters of Satara district in the state of Maharashtra, India. It is situated in the western part of the state at the foothills of the Western Ghats, near the Krishna River valley. The city functions as a regional commercial hub and transportation link, with rail connectivity to major cities and road links to Pune, Mumbai, and other towns in the region.

Historically, Satara is associated with the Maratha Empire. It emerged as an important seat of power in the 18th century and served as a capital of the Maratha state during parts of the tenure of Chhatrapati Shahu I, before British consolidation in the early 19th century. The Ajinkyatara Fort, perched on a hill overlooking the city, is a prominent historic landmark, and the Sajjangad Fort nearby is also linked to the Maratha era and to Ramdas, the saint and spiritual advisor to Shivaji.

The district features diverse geography, ranging from plains to parts of the Western Ghats, and experiences a tropical monsoon climate with hot summers and heavy rainfall in the monsoon season. The local economy is largely agrarian, with sugarcane as a principal crop and dairy farming contributing to rural livelihoods. The region is also known for fruit cultivation, notably grapes, and for tourism centered on forts, temples, and natural scenery. Notable sites include Ajinkyatara and Sajjangad, as well as the Kaas Plateau, famous for its seasonal wildflower bloom.