Maharashtra

Where it comes from

From Sanskrit महाराष्ट्र (mahārāṣṭra), derived from महा- (mahā-), combining form of महत् (mahat, “great”) + राष्ट्र (rāṣṭra), a dynasty that once ruled the area. In Sanskrit, the word राष्ट्र (rāṣṭra) means “nation” or “dominion”. Other theories indicate that the word "rāṣṭra" in this context derives from रत्त (ratta) (a corruption of “Rashtrakuta”, a dynasty that once ruled the area), a clan known as राष्ट्रिक (rāṣṭrika) (found in some of King Ashoka’s inscriptions) or रथ (ratha, “chariot”). Doublet of Maratha.