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. The present book aims at focusing the socio-economic conditions of Maharashtra, a state of Indian union, which has evolved its distinct culture i.e. the Marathi culture. The evolution of this Marathi or Maharashtri culture is a long drawn process, which seems to have begun during the time of the Satavahanas. The East India company controlled Mumbai since the 17th century as one of their main trading post. The Company slowly expanded areas under its rule during the 18th century. Their conquest of Maharashtra was completed in 1818 with the defeat of Peshwa Bajirao II in the Third Anglo-Maratha War. People from Maharashtra played an important part in the social and religious reform movements as well as the nationalist movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Notable Civil society bodies founded by Marathi leaders during 19th century include the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha, the Prarthana samaj, the Arya Mahila Samaj and the Satya Shodhak Samaj. The non- Brahmin Hindu castes of Maharashtra started organizing at the beginning of the 20th century with the blessing of Chhatrapati Shahu of Kolhapur. The campaign took off in the early 1920s under the leadership of Keshavrao Jedhe and Baburao javalkar. Both belonged to the Non-Brahmin party. Capturing the Ganpati and Shivaji festivals from Brahmin domination were their early goals. Maharashtra was a part and parcel of erstwhile Bombay state along with Gujarat. It was popularly known as Bombay Presidency, which was created by the British when they became undisputed power of the Western part of India. Maharashtra came into existence on 1st May 1960, as a separate state on the linguistic basis. The book is of tremendous value to students, teachers, tourists, historians, guides and general readers.

Dr. Radhakrishna L. Joshi (M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D) has been working as Assistant professer of History in Shri Amolok Jain Vidhya Prasarak Mandal's Smt.S.K.Gandhi Arts,P.H.Gandhi Commerce & Amolok Science College kada, Tq.Ashti, Dist. Beed (Maharashtra). He has been actively engaged in teaching, learning evaluation & Research for the 19 years. He has travelled abroad & participated in National Conferences, International Conferences and Seminars. He has presented 53 papers and published his 35 papers in ISSN Journal. He has been Chief Editor & Publisher of Shodhankan Research Journal (ISSN--2250-0383). He has been Awarded with Dr.B.Ambedkar fellowship sanman,by Bhartiya Sahitya Akadami (NewDelhi) & Saneguruji teacher Award by Shabadgandh Sahitik Parishad (Ahmednagar). He has also been Associated with various Academic & Administrative committees.

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.

The history of Maharashtra can be traced to approximately the 4th century BCE. From the 4th century BCE until 875, Maharashtri Prakrit and its Apabhrakaas were the dominant languages of the region. 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 Belgola in modern-day Karnataka at the foot of the Bahubali Statue.

The Company slowly expanded areas under its rule during the 18th century. Their conquest of Maharashtra was completed in 1818 with the defeat of Peshwa Bajirao II in the Third Anglo- Maratha War. People from Maharashtra played an important part in the social and religious reform movements as well as the nationalist movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Notable Civil society bodies founded by Marathi leaders during 19th century include the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha, the Prarthana samaj, the Arya Mahila Samaj and the Satya Shodhak Samaj.

The non-Brahmin Hindu castes of Maharashtra started organizing at the beginning of the 20th century with the blessing of Chhatrapati Shahu of Kolhapur. The campaign took off in the early 1920s under the leadership of Keshavrao Jedhe and Baburao javalkar. Both belonged to the Non-Brahmin party.Capturing the Ganpati and Shivaji festivals from Brahmin domination were their early goals. Maharashtra was a part and parcel of erstwhile Bombay state along with Gujarat.