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(English)

Maharashtra is a state in the western region of India and is India's second-most populous state and third-largest state by area. Although the present day state in India was only formed in 1960,the region that comprises the state has a long history dating back to the 4th century BCE.

From the 4th century BCE until 875, Maharashtri Prakrit and its Apabhraṃśas were the dominant languages of the region. Marathi language Marathi, which evolved from Maharashtri Prakrit, has been the lingua franca from the 9th century onwards. The oldest stone inscriptions in Marathi language can be seen at Shravana Belgolain modern-day Karnataka at the foot of the Bahubali Statue. In the course of time, the term Maharashtra was used to describe a region which consisted of Aparanta, Vidarbha, Mulak, Assaka(Ashmaka) and Kuntal. Tribal communities ofNaga people|Naga]], Munda people|Munda]] and Bhil peoples inhabited this area, also known as Dandakaranya, in ancient times. There was an ancient race called as "Rattha" (रठ्ठ in Marathi). With their valour and achievements they started calling themselves as "Maharattha" (Maha is Great). Maharashtra first appeared in the 7th century in the account of a contemporary Chinese traveler, Huan Tsang. According to the recorded History, the first Hindu King ruled the state during the 6th century, based in Badami.

(मराठी)

महाराष्ट्रातील नद्या, पर्वत आणि इतर स्थळांचा रामायण, महाभारत इत्यादी प्राचीन ग्रंथामध्ये उल्लेख आढळतो. परंतु विश्वसनीय ऐतिहासिक साधने वापरून लिहिलेला महाराष्ट्राचा इतिहास इसवी सन पूर्व तिसऱ्या शतकापासून उपलब्ध आहे. राजकीय कालखंडानुसार महाराष्ट्राच्या प्रत्येक विभागाचा इतिहास वेगळा असला तरी सांस्कृतिक व सामाजिक इतिहास बराचसा समान आहे. जनपद, मगध, मौर्य, सातवाहन, वाकाटक, चालुक्य, राष्ट्रकूट, देवगिरीचे यादव, अल्लाउद्दीन खिलजी, मुहम्मद बिन तुघलक, पोर्तुगीज, विजापूर, मोगल, मराठा, हैदराबादचा निजाम, इंग्लिश लोक, इत्यादी राज्यकर्त्यांनी महाराष्ट्राचे विविध भाग वेगवेगळ्या कालखंडात व्यापले होते. == प्राचीनकाळ ==