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From the time of the epic
Mahabharatha the region called Vidharba is one besides Marathwada
which comprises Maharashtra today. This region was a part of the Mauryan
empire. After the fall of the Mauryan, Maharashtra was ruled by
diverse dynasties, each adding to the cultural flavour of the region and
each leaving behind its own distinctive marks. The Satavahanas administrated
this area followed by the -Vakatas, the Rashtrakutas, Kalachuris, Chalukyas
and the Yadhavas. In about the 11th century AD the Delhi Sultanate established
their rule. This was overthrown by the Bahmani dynasty which ruled till
the end of the 15the century. The 17th century heralded the sudden
rise in power of the Maraths-Marathi speaking Hindu warriors of the region.
The Marathas emerged as a strong power under Shivaji who ruled from
1646 to 1680. The Peshwas who succeeded Shivaji built up a Maratha
empire which extended from Gwalior in the north to Tanjore in the south,
till the 18th century after which the British exercised their influence
in this region. From 1818 it became a part of the Bombay Presidency.
In the year 1960 Under the Bombay Re-organization Act, Maharashtra and
Gujarat were separated and Maharashtra attained statehood.
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