Solid as the human material has been, Maharashtra’s surroundings and settings are no less tough. Apart from the Sahydris or the Western Ghats, which run from the north to the south, close to the coast, Maharasthra has two kinds of rivers: the minor streams and tributaries, which mingle into the Arabia sea and the big, slow –moving rivers like Krishna and the Godavari, which join the Bay of Bengal. These rivers are being harnessed with various gigantic power and irrigation projects.
The life of the peasant today, because of the hilly tracts and the fickle monsoons, continues to be as hard and difficult as ever before. His struggle for existence is often cruel, as during droughts; but his spirit never gives in. Drawing inspiration from hills and forests, he braves the vagaries of nature, singing the ballads of past heroism. It was this strong streak in his character which moved Grant Duff to describe Maharasthra, in his History of the Marathas, as `the strongest country in the world’.
To an average villager his field is kali and the village, pandhari. Between these two mothers, he finds contentment and peace. This outlook has sometimes made the Maharashtrains insular, compelling them to live, as great historian, Sir Jadunath Sakar, points out, 1isloted, self –contained lives, the world forgetting and by the world forgot.
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