Marathwada

Marathwada
Geographical region
Clockwise from top : Bibi Ka Maqbara, Aundha Nagnath Temple, Kailasa Temple, Shri Hazoor Sahib Gurudwara, Chaitya Griha or prayer hall at Ajanta Caves
Location of Marathwada in Maharashtra
Country	India
State	Maharashtra
Area
• Total	64,590 km2 (24,940 sq mi)
Population
• Total	18,731,872 (2,011)[1]
Districts	Aurangabad, Beed, Udgir, Hingoli, Jalna, Latur, Nanded, Osmanabad, Parbhani
Largest city	Aurangabad
Division	Aurangabad division
Literacy	76.27%[1]
Sex ratio	932[1]

Marathwada (Marathi pronunciation: [məɾaːʈʰʋaːɖa]) is a geographical region of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It was formed during the Nizam's rule and was part of the then Hyderabad State. The region coincides with the Aurangabad division of Maharashtra. It borders the states of Karnataka and Telangana, and it lies to the west of the Vidarbha and east of Uttar Maharashtra regions of Maharashtra. The largest city of Marathwada is Aurangabad. Its people speak Marathi and Deccani Urdu (Hyderabadi Urdu).

Marathwada is known for its struggle for merger in the Maharashtra state, which is commemorated on 17 September as Marathwada Liberation Day.