Queen of the Deccan, Oxford of the East, and cultural capital
of Maharashtra, Pune is a city with a future that promises to
be as interesting as its history.
Long-standing bastion of the Maratha empire and home to the legendary
Raja Shivaji, the Pune district is marked by magnificent land
and sea forts, testimony to its glorious past.
After Shivaji, the early 18th century saw the emergence of the
Peshwas, a Maratha family that grew from being ministers at the
court into a major political power over the next few decades.
However, after the battle of Panipat in 1761, the Maratha empire
began to decline and in 1818, Pune was taken over by the British
East India Company.
Today, Pune is the centre of traditional Marathi culture, in
which education, arts and crafts, and theatre are given pride
of place. It has one of India's oldest universities and its numerous
colleges attract both Indian and international students, which
is probably why it is called the Oxford of the East.
Pune is slowly becoming a cosmopolitan city and is now an important
commercial centre. The narrow winding roads of the old Pune offer
an interesting contrast to the open, spacious new city. However,
Pune retains the old-world charm and its many quaint characteristics,
including the omnipresent cyclists, rickshaws and a daily siesta
hour that is taken very seriously indeed.
Surrounded by verdant hills and beautiful lakes, Pune has a temperate
climate and is among the greenest urban areas in the country.
