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Maharashtra (Marathi: महाराष्ट्र mahārāṣṭra,translation: Great Nation) is India's third largest state in area and second largest in population after Uttar Pradesh. It is bordered by the states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Goa and the Union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. The Arabian Sea makes up the state's western coast. Mumbai, India's most populous city, is the capital of Maharashtra. Mumbai is a cosmopolitan city, and serves as the financial and entertainment capital of the country.
The name Maharashtra first appeared in a 7th century inscription and in the account of a Chinese traveler, Hiuen-Tsang.
In 90 A.D. Vedishri, son of the Satavahana king Satakarni, the "Lord of Dakshinapatha, wielder of the unchecked wheel of Sovereignty", made Junnar, thirty miles north of Pune, the capital of his kingdom. In the early fourteenth century the Devgiri Yadavs were overthrown by the northern Muslim powers. Then on, the region was administered by various kingdoms called Deccan Sultanates.
In 17th Century, the Marathas rose under leadership of Shivaji Raje Bhosale against the Mughals who were ruling a large part of India. After a lifelong struggle against Mughals and other rulers (mostly Muslim), he established an independent state, with an efficient administration and a powerful army. By 1680, the year of Shivaji's death, nearly all of the Deccan belonged to his kingdom. He is thus regarded as the father of the Maratha state.
After Indian independence, in 1960 a separate Maharashtra state was carved out from Bombay presidency and Central provinces. The principal language of the state is Marathi.

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