Maharashtra-Specific Knowledge
Maharashtra-Specific Knowledge tests the state's geography, history, culture, polity, economy and current schemes. Expect questions on districts, rivers, forts, saints, festivals, crops and state institutions.
Core facts
- Formation: Maharashtra was carved out of Bombay State on 1 May 1960; Maharashtra Day is 1 May.
- Capital: Mumbai; Nagpur is the winter capital. There are 36 districts and six divisions.
- Physical features: Western Ghats (Sahyadri), Konkan coast, Deccan plateau; rivers Godavari, Krishna, Tapi, Narmada (border), Bhima.
- History and culture: Shivaji's forts (Raigad, Pratapgad, Rajgad); saints Dnyaneshwar, Namdev, Tukaram; Lavani, Tamasha, Povada; Warli art; Paithani saree; Ganesh Chaturthi and Gudi Padwa.
- Economy: Mumbai as a financial capital; cotton, sugarcane, soybean, Alphonso mango, Nashik grapes; film industry.
- Heritage: Ajanta, Ellora, Elephanta, CSMT.
Worked example
Which is the longest river flowing through Maharashtra? The Godavari. Reasoning: it rises in Nashik district and traverses a large part of the state; the Krishna is also major but shorter within Maharashtra.
Traps
- Confusing Maharashtra Day with Independence Day.
- Saying Nagpur is the only capital; Mumbai is the primary capital.
- Mixing Lavani with Koli dance.
- Placing Ajanta in the wrong district; it is in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) district.
- Confusing the number of districts with divisions.