During the post-Independence period,  the out-look of Nasik and its surroundings has been revolutionised. Orthodoxy is fast decaying and with it are disappearing the outmoded forms of religious practices and old centres of religious devotion and training. The residential area of the once prosperous Bhataji Maharaj Math, on the banks of the Godavari, where Vedic studies were vigorously pursued is now occupied by a popular Marathi daily newspaper Gavkari, ably edited and efficiently conducted. Recently the Defence Ministry of the Government of India established a factory for the manufacture of MIG aeroplanes at Ozar, a village only a few miles off to the north­east of Nasik. In spite of these changes, the historian--and even a modern artist-might cast a lingering look at old Nasik, with its tradition of over a thousand years, and rich with temples of ancient architecture and dilapidated houses of media eval sawkars (financiers). Nasik has a message for both to ponder over.

During Gandhiji's leadership of the country, Nasik became wholly Congress-minded, and among many others, the late Mr. B. S. Hiray distinguished himself as a leader of Congressmen in the district. He was also president of the Maharashtra Congress Committee. When Congress decided to accept office and work the Provincial Autonomy, part of the Hoare Willingdon political reforms in 1947, Mr. Hiray was in the Assembly and worked as Parliamentary Secretary to Mr. K. M. Munshi who was Home Minister in the Kher Cabinet. Th e move for the reformation of India on the linguistic basis had begun and Mr. Hiray came to prominence as one of the leaders of the movement for a united Maharashtra.

In the ministry formed after the 1951 election, Mr. Hiray became Revenue Minister. In the new election in 1956, after the reorganisation of States, Mr. Hiray was returned to the legislature again.

Nasik, like all other districts, has now settled dawn to ever-­increasing development activities on several fronts under the five-year plans and has its share in the tremendous advance and progress which the State of Maharashtra has made in very many fields.