Maharashtra is a state in the western region of India and is the nation's and also the world's second-most populous sub-national entity. Its capital, Mumbai, is also the financial capital of the nation and the headquarters of all major banks, financial institutions and insurance companies in the country. India's Hindi film industry, Bollywood, and Marathi film and television industry are also located in this state.

Ancient and medieval Maharashtra included the empires of the Satavahana dynasty, Rashtrakuta dynasty, Western Chalukyas, Mughals and Marathas.

The antiquity of this region can be traced to approximately the 4th century BC. From 4th Century B.C. until AD 875, Maharashtri Prakrit and its Apabhramsa was the dominant language of the region. Marathi, which evolved from Maharashtri Prakrit, has been the lingua franca of the people of this area from the 9th century onwards. The oldest stone inscriptions in Marathi language can be seen at Shravana Belgola in modern day Karnataka at the foot of the Bahubali Statue (Jain). And, in the course of time, the term 'Maharashtra' was used to describe a region which consisted of Aparanta, Vidarbha, Mulak, Ashmak (Assaka) and Kuntal. The tribal communities of Nags, Munds and Bhills inhabited this area, also known as Dandakaranya, in ancient times. They were joined by the Aryas, the Shakas and the Huns, who came from the North, as well as by foreigners, who arrived by sea.

We present to you the History of Maharashtra in English by Abhishek Thamke.