History

Pune is known to have existed as a town since 937 AD. Pune was originally called Punawadi.Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha Empire, lived in Pune as a young boy, and later oversaw significant growth and development of the town during his reign.

In 1730, Pune became an important political center as the seat of the Peshwa, the prime minister of the Chhatrapati of Satara. After the town was annexed to British India in 1817, it served as a cantonment town and as the "monsoon capital" of the Bombay Presidency until the independence of India Today, Pune is known for its educational facilities and relative prosperity. Pune is the cultural capital of Maharashtra. Pune has well-established manufacturing, glass, sugar, and forging industries since the 1950-60s. It has a growing industrial hinterland, with many information technology and automotive companies setting up factories in Pune district. The city is known for various cultural activities like classical music, spirituality, theater, sports, and literature. These activities and job opportunities attract migrants and students from all over India and abroad, which makes for a city of many communities and cultures. The name Pune is derived from Punya-Nagari (Sanskrit, "City of Virtue"). The oldest reference to this name was found on a Rashtrakuta copper plate dated 937, that refers to the town as Punya-Vishaya or Poonak-Vishaya. By the 13th century, it had come to be known as Kasbe Pune or Punavadi. The city's name is sometimes transcribed as Poona in English, a practice particularly common during the British Raj. The spelling Pune was formally adopted in 1976.

Culture

Pune is said to be the cultural capital of the state of Maharashtra. It epitomizes the Marathi culture, which lays emphasis on education, arts and crafts, music, and theatre. Pune has emerged as a centre of modern architecture in India, with prize winning buildings. Pune culture reflects a blend of traditions with modernity, as along with hosting classical shows.