Pune

Pune (पुणे in Marathi), formerly Punavadi and Poona (पूना in Marathi), Maharashtra state, western India, is situated at the confluence of the Mula and Mutha rivers. Called the ?Queen of the Deccan,? Pune is the cultural capital of the Marathi people. According to the 2001 census provisional results, it had a population of 3,755,000 in 2001. This figure includes the population of the city of Pimpri-Chinchwad which is the industrial twin of Pune. The combined population of the metropolitan region would be between 4.5 to 5 million in 2004. Marathi is the language of the majority of the people residing here. This decade has seen a sizeable investment in the software and automobile sector, in the city. This has prompted a huge influx of youth from all over the country. Several suburbs are now completely cosmopolitan, and real-estate prices have boomed.

History

A vibrant city, Pune is a place where the past meets the present. It is one of those rare cities with a twin image: that of a tradition-bound place — generally considered the quintessence of Maharashtrian culture — and that of a modern industrial metropolis. Pune today straddles both banks of the Multha-Mula rivers (tributaries of the larger Bhima River). The confluence (sangam) of the these in the heart of the city forms a spectacular scenic landmark. The oldest extant structure in the city is the rock-cut temple of Pataleshwar, belonging to the 8th century AD. The cave-temple complex is also called Panchaleshvara cave. This cave, once situated outside limits of the old town, is now squarely in the middle of the city on Jungli Maharaj Road.

Related Topics:
Bhima River - Pataleshwar

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Earliest references to the city are from the 11th century, when there was walled settlement known as "Kasbe Pune". This ward is the oldest part of the city, and is known today as Kasba Peth. Pune's medieval roots are also evident in a number of temples and mosques. The present name "Pune" is derived from Punya Nagari (literally city of virtuous deeds). The Rashtrakutas have been found to be the earliest rulers of the city.

Related Topics:
Kasba Peth - Virtuous - Rashtrakuta

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Pune is inextricably linked with the life of the great Maratha hero and king, Chhatrapati Shivaji. Pune's fame begins with when Chhatrapati Shivaji came to stay here with his mother Jijabai in 1635-36. Shivaji and his mother lived in a mansion known as Lal Mahal, a replica of which still can be visited at its original location in the city. According to local lore, the Kasba Ganapati Mandir, today regarded as the presided deity of the city (gramadevata), was built by Jijabai. In the early 18th century, prime minister of Chhatrapati Shahu, Peshwe Baji Rao 1 wanted to make Pune his home which was agreed by the king. He built his palace on a slightly raised ground near the Mutha river which is now Shaniwar Peth. The fortified palace that came up is known as Shaniwar Wada. Shaniwar Wada is considered by many to be the focal point of the old city of Pune.

Related Topics:
Chhatrapati Shivaji - Jijabai - Kasba Ganapati Mandir - Peshwe Baji Rao 1 - Shaniwar Peth - Shaniwar Wada

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In 1817, war broke out beteween the Maratha and the British. A battle was fought in Khadki, a town just outside the city. The Peshwas were defeated and the British forces took over the town. The British realized the importance of the city and built a large cantonment, to the east of the city. Later, Pune was pronounced the Monsoon Capital of the Bombay Presidency.

Related Topics:
1817 - Maratha - British - Khadki - Peshwa - Bombay Presidency

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During the freedom struggle, Pune took its place as an important centre of the social and religious reform movement that was sweeping the country. Pune was the home of reformers who were stalwarts of the national movement, such as Mahadev Govind Ranade, R.G Bhandarkar and Mahatma Jyotirao Phule. The presence of Bal Gangadhar Tilak dominated the political scene for three decades during this period.

Related Topics:
Mahadev Govind Ranade - R.G Bhandarkar - Mahatma Jyotirao Phule - Bal Gangadhar Tilak

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After Independence(1947), Pune's reputation as an educational and research node grew with the establishment of the University of Pune, the National Defence Academy (NDA), National Chemical Laboratory and other such institutes.

Related Topics:
1947 - University of Pune - National Defence Academy (NDA) - National Chemical Laboratory

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