Maharashtra

Satavahana and Deccan sultanate histories preceded the Maratha state and the rise of colonial Bombay as a major port. Ajanta’s Buddhist caves and Ellora’s Buddhist, Hindu and Jain monuments reveal different periods of patronage and artistic work. Maratha state formation and later colonial Bombay shaped political and commercial life. Linguistic reorganisation created Maharashtra in 1960.

A western state of Maratha history, Bhakti traditions, cave architecture, cinema and industrial modernity. The Wari pilgrimage carries devotional poetry and collective discipline along routes to Pandharpur. Public Ganesh celebrations expanded notably in the late nineteenth century, but worship of Ganesha long predates that political mobilisation. Lavani, tamasha and powada have distinct performance forms and social histories. Paithani weaving, Warli painting and coastal fishing cultures sit alongside the literature, cinema and everyday neighbourhood life of major cities.