West Indian states consist of Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan along with the Union territory of Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. The states differ drastically from one another in language, culture and levels of economic development. Maharashtra and Gujarat are among the most industrialized states of India while Rajasthan and Goa are magnets for tourists, though for different reasons.
West Indian states are developed and industrialization helps to boost the economy with a large urban population of Pune, Mumbai, Thane and Panaji. The Western India states are bounded by the Thar Desert in the north-western part, the Vindhya Mountain Range in the north and the Arabian Sea in the west. A major portion of Western India shares the Deccan Plateau with South India.
History of West Indian States
Parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan in western India trace their history back to the Indus valley civilization. Lothal, Surkotada, and the region around Ghaggar river in Rajasthan are notable areas of excavation showing human inhabitance from 3300 BCE to 1300 BCE. Later the region was ruled by Rashtrakutas, Mauryas, Guptas, Rajputs, Satavahanas, Western Satraps, and Kadambas.
During the medieval age, Western India was ruled by Vaghela dynasty, Gujarat Sultanate, and Delhi Sultanate before the Mughals conquered it. Later, the Maratha Empire was defeat by the British in the Anglo-Maratha wars. The region became a hub of nationalist activities during the struggle for Indian Independence. Gandhi's Dandi March took place in Gujarat. Western India became part of independent India in 1947, and the states were formed based on linguistic considerations in 1956.