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About Maharashtra
The Chinese pilgrim, Hiun Tsang, visited Maharashtra during AD 640-641
and was very impressed by the prosperity of the country, the efficiency
of the administration and the character of the people. He called the land
Mo-ho-lo-cha (Moholesh), and was perhaps the first person to discuss the
region and its people.
He says: "The soil is rich and fertile and it is regularly cultivated
and very productive. Men are fond of learning and studying both heretical
and orthodox books. The disposition of the people is honest and simple;
they are tall in stature and of a stern and vindictive character. To their
benefactors, they are grateful; to their enemies, relentless. If they
are insulted, they will risk their lives to avenge themselves. If they
are asked to help one in distress, they will forget themselves in their
haste to render assistance."
The antiquity of this region can be traced to approximately the 3rd century
BC, which is when the Maharastri language, a Prakrit corruption of Sanskrit
from which the term 'Maharashtra' is derived, was then in use. Marathi,
which evolved from Maharastri-Prakrit, has been the lingua franca of the
people of this area from the 10th century onwards.
And, in the course of time, the term 'Maharashtra' was used to describe
a region which consisted of Aparanta, Vidarbha, Mulak, Ashmak and Kuntal.
The tribal communities of Nags, Munds and Bhils inhabited this area, also
known as Dandakaranya, in ancient times.
They were joined by the Aryas, the Shakas and the Huns, who came from
the North, as well as by foreigners, who arrived by sea. The Dravidians
from the South colonised the land, joining a group which collectively
became known as 'Marathas'.
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