Rulers of different dynasties have ruled Pune.
Evidence found as copper plates of 758 AD and of 768 AD reveal that the
Rashtrakootas ruled this region at that time. The Pune Gazetteer
explains the term Pune as Punya - a holy place. Pune was ruled by the
Yadava dynasty after the Rashtrakootas. Mughal rulers then ruled the
city till the middle of the seventeenth century.
Pune became popular with the rise of Maratha ruler Shivaji. He spent
his early childhood in Pune at Lal Mahal, a palace built by his father
Shahaji, where Shivaji's mother Jijabai lived for a decade. Aurangazeb's
uncle, Shahistekhan was defeated at Lal Mahal by Shivaji.
Aurangazeb named Pune as Muhiyabad after the death of Shivaji in 1680.
Pune again gained importance during the period of the second Peshwa
Thorala (senior) Bajirao who ruled from 1720 to 1740. The palace of the
Peshwas - Shaniwarwada was built during his time. Different Peshwas
constructed various monuments.
Nanasaheb Peshwa succeeded Thorala Bajirao Peshwa and ruled the Maratha
kingdom from 1740 to 1761. He checked the aggressions of the Nizam and
maintained peace. Nanasaheb Peshwa emphasized in urbanizing the Pune
city and encouraged setting up of peths or wards in Pune. Nanasaheb
Peshwa constructed Parvati Temple complex, which is known to be the
pride of the Pune city.
British defeated the Marathas in 1818 and established the
administration in this region. Pune and Delhi were the only centres of
power during this century. Pune has been recognized as a seat of
learning and the Deccan College (1851) led the educational movement in
Pune. The Pune-Mumbai rail track and the Khadakwasla Dam were
constructed in 1857. Later many colleges were established gradually, the
Deccan college, the college of Engineering and the Ferguson college. In
1857, the offices of the Department of Meteorology were shifted from
Simla to Pune. The first Textile Mill was built in 1893 by Raja Bahadur
Motilal Pittie.
Pune is the 7th ranking industrial metro of India at present. Infact
Kothrud has achieved a place in the Guinness book of world records for
having the fastest urban growth rate.
Find about the origin and history of Pune city,
India.