Mahakoshal lies in the upper or eastern reaches of the Narmada River valley in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.

Nimar region lies to the west, in the lower reaches of the Narmada valley.

Mahakoshal is now predominantly a Hindi-speaking area, although it is actually the native region of Dravidian languages such as Gondi, Pardhan and Bharia.

Cities and districts of the region include Jabalpur, Shahdol, Katni, Chhindwara, Narsinghpur, Mandla, Dindori, Seoni and Balaghat.

Dynasties that held the territory include the Gonds, Kalachuri, Satavahanas, and Marathas.