What is the Difference Between Indian states Maharashtra and Gujarat?

05/15/2025 • Giovanni Medeiros

Maharashtra and Gujarat are two Indian states located on the west side of India, both contributing significantly to the Indian economy. They share a common boundary, Madhya Pradesh, and both have a coastline along the Arabian Sea. However, there are several differences between the two states:

  1. Language: Maharashtra is dominated by the Marathi language, while Gujarat is dominated by the Gujarati language.
  2. Population: Maharashtra has a larger population compared to Gujarat, with a higher number of villages, railroads, rivers, towns, and municipalities.
  3. State Capital: The capital of Maharashtra is Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay), while the capital of Gujarat is Gandhinagar.
  4. Neighboring States: Maharashtra is bordered by seven Indian states, while Gujarat is bordered by three Indian states and a province of the neighboring country, Pakistan.
  5. Industry: Gujarat is known for its entrepreneurial spirit and is a major center for business and trade, while Maharashtra has a diverse economy with a focus on industries like manufacturing and IT services.
  6. Tourism: Maharashtra is home to popular tourist destinations like Mumbai, Pune, and Aurangabad, while Gujarat has cities like Ahmedabad, Vadodara, and Surat that attract tourists.
  7. Culture: Both states have rich cultural traditions, with Maharashtra famous for its literature, performing arts, and traditional festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi and Gudi Padwa.
  8. History: Both states were formed on May 1, 1960, as a result of the bifurcation of the Bombay state, which was split on linguistic lines into Gujarat for Gujarati speakers and Maharashtra for Marathi speakers.

Comparative Table: Indian states Maharashtra vs Gujarat

Here is a table comparing the Indian states of Maharashtra and Gujarat:

Feature Maharashtra Gujarat
Total Area 1,247,090 sq mi 6,027,158 sq mi
Population 112,372,972 (2011 Census) 60,383,628 (2011 Census)
Capital Mumbai Gandhinagar
Language(s) Marathi, Hindi, and English Gujarati, Hindi, and English
Primary Industries Finance, insurance, real estate, health, education, IT, and tourism Agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism
Economic Growth Rate 8.8% in 2017-18 10.2% in 2017-18
Formal Sector Job Creation High-level formal sector job creation Lower level formal sector job creation
Urbanization More urbanized state, with more exposure to international market Less urbanized state, with more focus on domestic market

Maharashtra is a more urbanized state, with a higher population and a focus on finance, insurance, real estate, health, education, IT, and tourism industries. Gujarat, on the other hand, is more focused on agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. Maharashtra has a higher rate of high-level formal sector job creation, while Gujarat has a lower level of formal sector job creation.

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