Vidarbha

Vidarbha is the north-eastern region of Maharashtra state, now forming two divisions (Nagpur and Amravati). It is comparatively backward and, along with Telangana, is one of two strongest aspirants for statehood in India. The main cash crops of the region are cotton, oranges, and soyabean. Traditional crops are jowar, bajra, and rice.

Vidarbha region is rich in forest and mineral resources. Its lush green deciduous forests are home to a variety of flora and fauna. These attract a large number of visitors each year. In fact, all of the tiger reserves in Maharashtra are situated in Vidarbha. They are Melghat Tiger Reserve in Amravati district, Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve in Chandrapur district, and Pench Tiger Reserve in Nagpur district.

Nagpur was the capital of the Bhonsle dynasty of Marathas, who in the mid eighteenth century created a state that covered much of east-central India. After their defeat in the Third Anglo-Maratha War in 1818, the Bhonsle dominions were reduced to Nagpur division, which was taken over by the British in 1853 when the last Maharaja of Nagpur died without a male heir. The Nagpur division became a part of the British Raj's Central Provinces in 1861. Amravati division, formerly known as Berar, was administered by the Nizam of Hyderabad until 1853, when the British took over governance of the province under the charge of misgovernance by the Nizam. Berar was added to the Central Provinces in 1903. After Indian Independence, the Central Provinces and Berar became the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Vidarbha was transferred to Bombay state in 1956 to unify all Marathi-speaking areas, and became part of Maharashtra state in 1960, when Bombay state was split into the linguistic states of Maharashtra and Gujarat.

In recent years, there has been a movement to separate from Maharashtra. This is based in part on the feeling of neglect within Maharashtra and in part on assertion of cultural identity. People have seen that the region has fallen behind others in attracting investment and development. The region is comparatively poorly served by roads, irrigation facilities, and educational infrastructure. However, political movements launched towards attaining statehood have lost steam as the leaders were seen to be opportunistic.

The Vidarbha comprises the districts of Nagpur, Amravati, Chandrapur, Akola, Wardha, Buldana, Yavatmal, Bhandara, Gondia, Washim, and Gadchiroli.

Ramayana has the reference of Vidarbha as one on the Janapadas at that time.

Mythological Importance

More than cultural distinctness from the rest of Maharashtra, Vidarbha has evolved historically in a different fashion. Mention of Vidarbha in many mythological stories also indicate this:

The marriage of Agastya and Lopamudra.
Rukmini-haran by lord Krishna
Kundinpur, the mythological capital of Vidarbha has been mentioned in Mahabharata