The early history of the great state includes a short history of the name along with the various kingdoms which have been established in the land. Maharashtra, etymologically derived from the word maharathi meaning the great chariot driver, first appeared as it is in the records of the Chinese traveler Huen Tsang. The early inhabitants of Maharashtra consisted of the great fighters who had even named the state as dandakaranya or the jungle which was ruled by kings.
The Magadha and the Satavanas: The first and the foremost part of the early history of the state is its existence as the part of the Magadha Empire. Maharashtra was ruled by the Buddhist emperor Ashoka for a considerable amount of time. Trade and education developed in the region with the rule of the Mauryans. After their empire annihilated the state came under the rule of the Satavahanas (230 BC to 225 BC). The rule of the Satavahanas was responsible for bringing back the peace to a country tortured by foreign invasions and the unruly atmosphere which overrides a nation after the end of a particular empire.
The Vakatakas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Yadavas: the eastern region of Maharashtra, the Vidharba region was under the rule of the Vakatakas. The best specimen of this period is the Ajanta Caves numbering 16, 17 and 19. This period was very refreshing in terms of culture and education. After the Vakatakas, the kingdom went into the hands of the Chalukyas who came to power in the southern state of Karnataka in the 6th century AD. The Rashtrakutas who gained political importance from the rule of Dantidurga around 753 AD, had a significant influence. The finest of examples of the rule of the Rashtrakutas was the Kailash Cave Temple of the Ellora caves. After this they were overthrown by the Chalukyas who again ruled the state till 1189 AD. The last of the Hindu kingdoms that arose on the state was that of the Yadavas who ruled till 1310 AD before being overthrown by Muhammad Tughlaq.
