Perspectives on Maharashtra: Cultural-Intellectual Contributions

Perspectives on Maharashtra: Cultural-Intellectual Contributions aim at discovering the main aspects of India’s heritage and present them in an interrelated way. These volumes in spite of their unitary look recognize the difference between the areas of material civilization and those of ideational culture. The Project is not being executed by a single group of thinkers and writers who are methodologically uniform or ideologically identical in their commitments. In fact contributions are made by different scholars with different ideological persuasions and methodological approaches. The Project is marked by what may be called ‘methodological pluralism’. In spite of its primarily historical character, this Project, both in its conceptualization and execution, has been shaped by scholars drawn from different disciplines. It is for the first time that an endeavour of such a unique and comprehensive character has been undertaken to study critically a major world civilization like India. Maharashtra, as the present State, came into existence on 1 May 1960. This volume presents the story of glorious past, going back to nearly two thousand years, and the vibrant present. During the ancient period Maharashtra was ruled by important dynasties like the Mauryas, Satavahanas (when Indo-Roman trade flourished), Vakatakas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas (known for contributing to art and architecture), Kalachuris, Shilaharas and Yadavas. The medieval period witnessed the arrival of the Khiljis, other Muslims dynasties and the spread of Islam, the rise of Shivaji and his fight for Hinadavi Svaraja, and the rule of the Peshwas. It was the end of the rule of the Peshwas by the British and the arrival of other Europeans that heralds the ‘modern period’. The volume also covers in detail accounts of socio-religious activities and reforms, including movements for the emancipation of the ‘depressed’ classes and the Dalits, spearheaded by Babasaheb Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi.