Pune

Pune, previously known as Poona, is a large and important city in the state of Maharashtra in Western India. It is the largest city in Maharashtra by area and the seventh-most populous metropolitan area in all of India, with over 7 million people living in the surrounding region. Pune is well-known for its many schools and universities, earning it the nickname "the Oxford of the East."

The city has a rich history, having been ruled by various dynasties and empires over the centuries, including the Rashtrakuta dynasty, Ahmadnagar Sultanate, Mughals, and the Maratha Empire. Today, Pune is a major center for technology, automobile manufacturing, and many other industries. It continues to be an important cultural and educational hub in India.

Etymology

The city of Pune was first mentioned in a very old writing from the year 937 CE, where it was called Punya-vishaya. By the 1200s, it was known as Punawadi.

During different times, Pune had many names. In the Rashtrakuta dynasty, it was called Punnaka and Punyapur. Later, the Yadava dynasty called it Punakavishaya and Punya Vishaya. ‘Vishaya’ means land, and ‘Punaka’ and ‘Punya’ mean holy. When Shivaji’s father, Shahaji, ruled, the city was known as Kasbe Pune. The Mughal emperor Aurangzeb named a small part of the city Muhiyabad after his great-grandson, but this name was not used for long. During British rule, the city’s name was changed to Poona in 1857, but in 1978, it was officially changed back to Pune.

History

Main article: History of Pune

Early and medieval period

In the 9th century, a small village named Punnaka existed where Pune is today. This area was ruled by the Rashtrakuta dynasty. A famous temple complex called Pataleshwar was built during this time. Later, Pune was ruled by the Seuna Yadavas of Devagiri and then by various Muslim rulers until the 1600s.

The Maratha Empire

Main articles: Maratha Empire and Battle of Poona

In 1599, Pune became part of a land grant given to Maloji Bhosale by the Nizamshahi (Ahmadnagar Sultanate). His son, Shahaji Bhosale, made Pune home for his wife Jijabai and their son Shivaji, who would later found the Maratha Empire. A special house called Lal Mahal was built for them in 1640. Jijabai also built a temple called Kasba Ganapati, which became very important to the city.

Pune often changed hands between different rulers during the 1600s. Leaders from both the Mughals and the Marathas improved the town. By 1670, the Marathas took control of Pune again. Later, the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb briefly renamed the city Muhiyabad, but the old name returned after his death.

Peshwa rule

In 1720, Baji Rao I became the prime minister of the Maratha Empire and moved to Pune in 1728. This marked the start of Pune growing into a major city. He built a grand palace called Shaniwar Wada in 1730. His son built a large lake and a special water system to bring water to the palace and city. Many temples and bridges were built, making Pune a beautiful and important place.

The Maratha leaders helped Pune grow with new neighborhoods, gardens, and markets. After a big battle in 1802, control of Pune changed hands again. The Maratha rule ended when the British took over in 1818.

British rule (1818–1947)

In 1817, war broke out between the Marathas and the British. The Marathas were defeated near Pune in 1818, and the British took control of the city. They built a large military camp east of Pune. The British developed their part of the city in a very organized way, while the older part kept its traditional style with narrow streets.

Pune became an important city under British rule. It was cooler than Bombay, so leaders from Bombay often spent the rainy season there. Rail service began in 1858, connecting Pune to Bombay. New neighborhoods like Navi Peth and Ganj Peth (now Mahatma Phule Peth) were created.

Centre of social reform and nationalism

Pune played a big role in India’s fight for independence. Leaders like Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Bal Gangadhar Tilak worked here. Social reformers also lived in Pune, pushing for fair treatment for all people and better education. Mahatma Gandhi was once held in a jail in Pune.

Pune since Indian independence

After India gained independence in 1947, Pune grew very quickly. New schools and universities were opened, such as Savitribai Phule Pune University in 1949. Industries began to develop, especially in areas like Hadapsar and Bhosari. In the 1990s, technology companies started setting up in Pune, bringing many new jobs.

Big events like the Commonwealth Youth Games in 2008 helped develop parts of the city. Today, Pune is known for its universities, factories, and as a major center for making medicines and cars.

Geography

Pune is found at about 18° 32" north and 73° 51" east. The Pune district covers 15,642 km², and the city itself covers 518 km². By road, Pune is 149 km southeast of Mumbai, 580 km southwest of Indore, and 695 km west of Nagpur. It sits on the western side of the Deccan Plateau, 560 m above sea level. The city is next to the Sahyadri mountains, which protect it from the Arabian Sea. Vetal Hill rises to 800 m, and the Sinhagad fort is 1,300 metres high.

The old part of Pune is where the Mula and Mutha rivers meet. The Pavana and Indrayani River flow through the northwest parts of the city.

Cityscape

See also: List of neighbourhoods in Pune

Pune has many different areas, called neighbourhoods. These include the old parts of the city along the Mutha river, areas set up by the British long ago, and many newer suburbs. Areas like Pimpri, Chinchwad, and Akurdi have grown a lot with industry.

The Pune Metropolitan Region grew from 1967 and now covers 7,256 km². It includes parts of the Pune district, three military areas, and many smaller towns and villages.

Since the 1960s, many people have moved to Pune for jobs, but there hasn’t been enough housing. About 36% of people live in crowded areas called slums. Some of these areas don’t have proper toilets or electricity. Since the 1990s, new planned communities have been built, such as Magarpatta, Nanded city, Amanora, Blue Ridge, Life Republic, and Lavasa. These places offer homes, jobs, and good facilities.

Pune was ranked 145th in the world for quality of living in 2017, second only to Hyderabad in India. It is known for technology and car companies.

• Selection of neighborhoods in Pune

[Aundh](/wiki/Aundh,_Pune)

[Bund Garden](/wiki/Bund_Garden,_Pune)

[Erandwane](/wiki/Erandwane)

[Hadapsar](/wiki/Hadapsar)

[Hinjawadi](/wiki/Hinjawadi)

[Kalyani Nagar](/wiki/Kalyani_Nagar)

[Katraj](/wiki/Katraj)

[Kharadi](/wiki/Kharadi)

• .jpg)

  Koregaon Park

[Kothrud](/wiki/Kothrud)

[Magarpatta](/wiki/Magarpatta)

[Mandai](/wiki/Mahatma_Phule_Mandai)

[Pune Camp](/wiki/Pune_Camp)

[Shivajinagar](/wiki/Shivajinagar,_Pune)

[Sus](/wiki/Sus,_Pune)

Peths in Pune

Main article: Peths in Pune

Peth is a word in the Marathi language for a part of a city. Seventeen peths make up the old area of Pune. Most were built during the time of the Maratha Empire in the 1700s, before the British came. The peths often have names linked to their founders or days of the week.

Climate

Pune has a tropical wet and dry climate. The temperature usually stays between 20 and 28 °C (68 and 82 °F). The city has three seasons: summer, monsoon, and winter. Summers run from mid-March to mid-June and can get very hot, up to 42 °C (108 °F). May is the warmest month, and the city often has dusty winds then. Even in hot weather, nights are cooler because of Pune’s height above sea level. The hottest temperature ever recorded was 43.3 °C (109.9 °F) on April 30, 1897.

The monsoon season is from June to October. Rain falls mostly between June and September, with July being the wettest month. Pune gets about 822 mm (32.36 in) of rain each year. Winters are cool, with daytime temperatures around 29 °C (84.2 °F) and nights below 12 °C (53.6 °F). On May 11, 2023, Koregaon Park reached 44.4 °C (112 °F).

Pune was named 23rd for clean air among big cities in India in 2024.

Seismology

Main article: List of earthquakes in India

Pune is 100 km north of an area that can have earthquakes near the Koyna Dam. The India Meteorological Department says this area is in Zone 3 for earthquake risk, which is moderate on a scale from 2 to 5. Pune has had some small earthquakes over the years.

Demographics

The city of Pune has a population of over 3 million people, with many living in crowded neighborhoods called slums. Because Pune is an important industrial city, people from all over India have moved there to find work. This has caused the city to grow quickly, absorbing many nearby villages.

Pune is a place where many different religions are practiced. Most people follow Hinduism, but there are also communities of Islam, Buddhism, Jainism, Christianity, Sikhism, and Zoroastrianism. The city has many important temples, mosques, churches, and other places of worship.

The main language spoken in Pune is Marathi, but many other languages are also common, especially Hindi, due to the diverse population.

Government and politics

Pune has local government bodies that help manage the city. The Pune Municipal Corporation and the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation are in charge of local services. They have two main parts: one led by a commissioner who makes decisions, and another with elected leaders called corporators who help make rules. People vote every five years to choose these leaders.

The Pune City Police keeps the city safe. It is part of the larger Maharashtra Police and is led by a police commissioner. There is also a group called the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority that plans how the whole area around Pune should grow and develop. It looks after many towns and villages to make sure they have what they need.

The Pune Municipal Corporation collects money and spends it on things the city needs. In 2022–23, it collected a lot of money and used it for various services.

The city gets its clean water from a big reservoir called Khadakwasla, with help from other smaller water sources. The electricity for Pune comes from a state company, and people can use phones from different service providers like BSNL, Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea.

Healthcare in Pune is offered by both government and private hospitals. People can visit places like Sassoon Hospital or choose from many private hospitals for their health needs.

Economy

Pune is a major manufacturing and industrial city in India. In 2019–20, the Pune District contributed greatly to Maharashtra's economy, ranking third in the state. It also has the fifth largest city economy and sixth highest income in the country.

The city is famous for its manufacturing, especially in cars and vehicles. Many big companies have factories around Pune, such as Bajaj Auto, Tata Motors, and Mahindra & Mahindra. The area also makes many vaccines, with the Serum Institute of India based here.

Pune is also a growing technology hub. Big IT companies and startups work in special parks like the Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park in Hinjawadi, which covers a large area and hosts many companies. This IT work provides jobs for many people.

The city is also a place for fun and events. New places for meetings and exhibitions opened in 2017, and there are many places to eat and visit, making Pune a popular spot.

Culture

Pune has many interesting old buildings and places to visit. You can see the 8th century Pataleshwar cave temple, the 18th century Shaniwar Wada, and the 19th century Aga Khan Palace. There are also beautiful old houses called Wadas, though many have been replaced by new buildings. One famous Wada is Vishrambaug Wada, the last home of an old leader, which is being fixed up by the city.

The city has many museums, such as the Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum and the Mahatma Phule Industrial Museum. There are also parks like Kamala Nehru Park and Peshwe Park. The Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park is a big zoo located in Katraj.

Pune loves theatre and music. There are many theatres where people can watch plays. Each year in December, the city hosts the Sawai Gandharva Sangeet Mahotsav, a famous music festival celebrating Indian classical music.

The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with great excitement in Pune. People put up beautiful displays and have fun processions with music and dancing.

Food

The main food in Pune is Maharashtrian cuisine. One popular dish is Puneri misal, a tasty vegetarian meal. Other well-known foods in Pune include Poha, Upma, Vada Pav, Bhel, Pani Puri, Dabeli, Sabudana vada, and Pav Bhaji. Bakarwadi is a favorite snack that started in the early 1960s.

Here are some popular food areas in Pune:

• JM Road is known for Vada Pav, Misal Pav, and Pav Bhaji.
• FC Road (Fergusson College Road) offers street sandwiches, dosas, shawarmas, and cold coffee.
• Tulshibaug is famous for Kanda Bhaji, Puran Poli, and chaat.
• East Street (Camp) is a great place for burgers, rolls, and desserts.
• Hong Kong Lane (Near Deccan Gymkhana) serves momos, Chinese street food, and chaat.
• Katraj Dairy Area is best for dairy products, lassi, and ice cream.

Transport

Main article: Transport in Pune

Air

Pune Airport

Pune International Airport at Lohagaon is one of the busiest airports in India. It is run by the Airports Authority of India and shares runways with a nearby Indian Air Force base. The airport offers flights within India and international flights to Dubai and Singapore.

A new international airport, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj International Airport, is planned but has faced delays due to land and government issues.

Public transport

Pune has several ways to get around the city. There are two lines of the Pune Metro, bus services by PMPML, the Pune Suburban Railway, and auto rickshaws. A third Metro line is being built to connect Hinjewadi to the District Court Pune station and should open by 2025.

Metro

Civil Court metro station

Nal Stop metro station

The Pune Metro is a fast way to travel in the city with two lines already open and a third under construction. The Purple Line goes from Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation metro station to Swargate metro station, and the Aqua Line goes from Vanaz metro station to Ramwadi metro station. Both lines pass through District Court Pune metro station.

Bus service

A PMPML Electric bus

Phule Nagar BRT Station

Buses in Pune are run by PMPML. In 2019, Pune became the first city in India to use electric buses. As of January 2026, there are up to 490 electric buses in the city.

Rail

Pune Junction railway station

Pune Suburban Railway

The Pune Suburban Railway connects Pune to nearby areas like Pimpri-Chinchwad and Lonavala. There are also express trains from Pune to many cities across India.

Road transport

Main article: List of roads in Pune

Pune is connected to other cities by many highways. National Highway 48 links it to Mumbai and Bangalore, National Highway 65 to Hyderabad, and National Highway 60 to Nashik. The Mumbai Pune Expressway, built in 2002, makes travel between the two cities faster. Only cars and similar vehicles are allowed on this expressway.

Major highways:

• Delhi–Chennai (Via Mumbai and Bengaluru) Highway
• Pune–Nashik Highway
• Mumbai–Pune Expressway
• Pune–Hyderabad Highway
• Pune–Ahmednagar Highway
• Pune–Saswad Highway

Personal transport

Mumbai Pune Expressway

JRD Tata Bridge, Kasarwadi

Pune used to be known for its bicycles, but now has many motorbikes. Efforts to bring back cycling include building cycle tracks and launching bike-sharing programs.

Education

Main article: List of educational institutions in Pune

Pune is a special city with many schools and universities. It has over a hundred places to learn and more than nine big universities, including the Savitribai Phule Pune University, the largest university in the country. Students from far away, like from Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, and Kenya, come to study here. Pune is also a top place to learn Japanese, with other languages like German and French also taught. Many colleges in Pune have programs where students can study in Europe.

Main article: List of schools in Pune

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) runs 297 primary schools and 30 secondary schools. In rural and suburban areas, the Pune Zilla Parishad runs public primary schools. Private schools are run by trusts and must follow rules set by the government. These schools can get money from the state. Public schools mostly teach in Marathi, but some also teach in Urdu, English, and Kannada. Private schools may follow the state’s rules or national rules set by the CBSE or CISCE.

One special school, Jnana Prabodhini Prashala, was the first in India for students who are very smart. It also has one of the world’s United World Colleges, the UWC Mahindra College.

Main article: List of educational institutions in Pune

Most colleges in Pune are linked to Savitribai Phule Pune University. Nine other universities are also in the city. There is a school for military intelligence training that teaches skills like understanding maps and working with information.

The College of Engineering Pune is one of the oldest engineering schools in Asia, started in 1854. Many important schools were started by people like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, who also helped start Fergusson College in 1885. There are top medical schools like the Armed Forces Medical College and B. J. Medical College. The Film and Television Institute of India is one of only three such schools in the world that is part of a special group of film schools.

The Lalit Kala Kendra at Savitribai Phule Pune University teaches music, dance, and drama using both old and new ways of learning.

Symbiosis International University runs 33 colleges in Pune, including schools for business, law, and computer studies. They are known for being among the best in the country. The Symbiosis Institute of Computer Studies and Research helps students learn about technology that anyone can use and change.

UWC Mahindra College, one of the world’s United World Colleges, is near Pune and offers a special international program for students.

Pune has many places for research, studying many topics from history to science. The Ministry of Defence also has schools and research centers in the area. Some of the big research places include:

• Agharkar Research Institute (ARI)
• Armament Research Development Establishment (ARDE)
• Armed Forces Medical College (India) (AFMC)
• Army Institute of Technology (AIT)
• Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI)
• Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute (BORI)
• Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT)
• Central Water and Power Research Station (CW&PRS)
• Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC)
• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
• Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT)
• Film and Television Institute of India (FTII)
• Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics
• High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL)
• Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune (IISER, Pune)
• Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM)
• Inter-university Centre for Astronomy & Astrophysics (IUCAA)
• National AIDS Research Institute (NARI)
• National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS)
• National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA)
• National Chemical Laboratory (NCL)
• National Defence Academy (NDA)
• National Informatics Centre (NIC)
• National Institute of Bank Management (NIBM)
• National Institute of Construction Management and Research (NICMAR)
• National Institute of Virology (NIV)
• National School of Leadership (NSL)
• National Insurance Academy (NIA)
• Research & Development Establishment (Engineers) (R&DE(E))
• Tata Research Development and Design Centre (TRDDC)

Media

Many newspapers in Marathi, a local language, have been publishing in Pune for many years. Some well-known ones are Kesari, which is now only online, and Sakal, which is still very popular. There are also editions of big city newspapers like Maharashtra Times, Loksatta, and Lokmat made just for Pune.

Pune also has many English newspapers and websites, such as Indian Express, Times of India with its Pune Mirror paper, and Mid-Day. There is even a new website called Puneri Pages that shares news about the city.

The city has radio stations, including government-run All India Radio and a special channel from Savitribai Phule Pune University called Vidyavani. Pune can also receive many TV channels through broadcast, cable, and satellite.

Sports

Main article: Sports in Pune

Badminton, as we know it today, began in Pune. The game was named after the city, which was called Poona at the time, where the first official rules were made in 1873. People have been playing games with shuttlecocks for centuries, but the modern version of badminton started here among British soldiers.

Pune is a great place for many sports. You can play cricket, athletics, basketball, badminton, field hockey, football, tennis, kabaddi, paragliding, kho-kho, wrestling, rowing, and chess. Important places for sports in Pune include the Chhatrapati Shivaji Stadium for wrestling, the Royal Connaught Boat Club for boating, and many basketball courts. The city also has skateparks and many famous clubs like the Nehru Stadium and the Poona Golf Club.

Pune has hosted big events like matches in the Cricket World Cup, the Pune International Marathon, and the National Games. There are also teams in Pune for cricket, football, and basketball, showing how much the city loves sports.

International relations

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in India

Pune has friendly connections with several cities around the world. Some of these include:

• San Jose, California, United States (since 1992)
• Vacoas-Phoenix, Mauritius
• Austin, Texas, United States (since 2018)
• Fairbanks, Alaska, United States
• Matteson, Illinois, United States
• Kawasaki, Japan
• Tromsø, Norway

Pune also has informal ties with:

• Bremen, Germany
• Okayama, Japan