History

Early and medieval

The circular Nandi mandapa at the Pataleshwar cave temple, built during the Rashtrakuta dynasty.

Copper plates dated 858 and 868 CE show that by the 9th century, an agricultural settlement known as Punnaka existed at the location of the modern Pune. The plates indicate that this region was ruled by the Rashtrakuta dynasty. The Pataleshwar rock-cut temple complex was built during this era.^[43] Pune was part of the territory ruled by Seuna Yadavas of Devagiri from the 9th century to 1327.

Bhosale Jagir and the Maratha Empire

Lal Mahal

Pune was part of the Jagir (fiefdom) granted to Maloji Bhosale in 1599 for his services to the Nizamshahi (Ahmadnagar Sultanate).^[44] Pune was ruled by the Ahmadnagar Sultanate until it was annexed by the Mughals in the 17th century. Maloji Bhosale's grandson, Shivaji, the founder of Maratha Empire, was born at Shivneri, a fort not far from Pune.^[45] Pune changed hands several times between the Mughals and the Marathas in the period between 1660 and 1705. When Chhatrapati Shahu succeeded to the Maratha throne in 1707, he wanted to declare Satara the capital but his chief administrators, the Peshwa who were the real power behind the throne, decided Pune was to be their headquarters.^{[citation needed]}
After the destruction of the town in raids by the Adil Shahi dynasty in 1630 and again between 1636 and 1647, Dadoji Konddeo, the successor to Dhadphale, oversaw the reconstruction of the town. He stabilized the revenue collection and administrative systems of areas around Pune and in neighbouring area of the Maval region. In addition, he developed effective methods to manage disputes and to enforce law and order.^[46] The Lal Mahal was commissioned in 1631 and construction was completed in 1640 AD.^[41] Shivaji spent his young years at the Lal Mahal. His mother, Jijabai is said to have commissioned the building of the Kasba Ganapati temple. The Ganesha idol consecrated at this temple has been regarded as the presiding deity (Gramadevata) of the city.^[47]
From 1703 to 1705, towards the end of the 27-year-long conflict between the Marathas and the Mughals, the town was occupied by Aurangzeb and its name was changed to "Muhiyabad".^[22][48] Two years later, once again the Marathas recaptured Sinhagad fort and later Pune from the Mughals.

Peshwa rule

An equestrian statue of Baji Rao I (श्रीमंत बाजीराव पेशवे.) outside the Shaniwar Wada, who is credited with successful expansion of Maratha power in North India (circa 1730 CE)

A memorial commemorating the Peshwa, Shrimant Madhavrao I, who (with assistance from Maharaja Mahadaji Shinde) resurrected Maratha power in North India (circa 1770 CE)^[51]

In 1720, Baji Rao I was appointed Peshwa (Prime Minister) of the Maratha Empire by Chhatrapati Shahu.^[52] He moved his base from Saswad to Pune in 1728, marking the beginning of the transformation of what was a Kasbah into a large city.^[53][54] He also commissioned the construction of the Shaniwar Wada on the right bank of the Mutha River. The construction was completed in 1730, ushering in the era of Peshwa control of the city. Bajirao's son and successor, Nanasaheb constructed a lake at Katraj on the outskirts of the city and an underground aqueduct to bring water from the lake to Shaniwar Wada and the city.^[55][56] The aqueduct was found to still be operational in 2004.^[57][58]
The patronage of the Maratha Peshwas resulted in great expansion of Pune with the construction of around 250 temples and bridges in the city, including the Lakdi Pul and the temples on Parvati Hill.^[59] Many of the Maruti, Vithoba, Vishnu, Mahadeo, Rama, Krishna and Ganesh temples were built during this era. The building of temples led to religion being responsible for about 15% of the city's economy during this period.^[60][61] Pune prospered as a city during the reign of Nanasaheb Peshwa. He developed Saras Baug, Heera Baug, Parvati Hill and new commercial, trading, and residential localities. Sadashiv Peth, Narayan Peth, Rasta Peth and Nana Peth were developed in this era. The Peshwa's influence in India declined after the defeat of Maratha forces in the Battle of Panipat but Pune remained the seat of power. In 1802, Pune was captured by Yashwantrao Holkar in the Battle of Pune, directly precipitating the Second Anglo-Maratha War of 1803–1805. The Peshwa rule ended with the defeat of Peshwa Bajirao II by the British East India Company in 1818.^{[citation needed]}

British rule (1818–1947) 

Government House of the British authority to Gunesh Khind at Poona in India, seen from the east, around 1875. Leiden University Library, Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies.

The Third Anglo-Maratha War broke out between the Marathas and the British East India Company in 1817. The Peshwas were defeated at the Battle of Khadki (then spelled Kirkee) on 5 November near Pune and the city was seized by the British. It was placed under the administration of the Bombay Presidency and the British built a large military cantonment to the east of the city (now used by the Indian Army).^{[citation needed]}
The city was known as Poona during British rule. The Poona Municipality was established in 1858. A railway line from Bombay to the city opened in 1858, run by the Great Indian Peninsula Railway (GIPR).^[62][63] Navi Peth, Ganj Peth (now renamed Mahatma Phule Peth) were developed during the British Raj.^{[citation needed]}

Centre of social reform and nationalism

Pune was prominently associated with the struggle for Indian independence. In the period between 1875 and 1910, the city was a major centre of agitation led by Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Bal Gangadhar Tilak. The city was also a centre for social reform led by Mahatma Jyotirao Phule, feminist Tarabai Shinde, Dhondo Keshav Karve and Pandita Ramabai. They demanded the abolition of caste prejudice, equal rights for women, harmony between the Hindu and Muslim communities, and better schools for the poor.^[64] Mohandas Gandhi was imprisoned at the Yerwada Central Jail several times and placed under house arrest at the Aga Khan Palace between 1942 and 1944, where both his wife Kasturba Gandhi and aide Mahadev Desai died.^{[citation needed]}

Pune since Indian independence

After Indian independence in 1947 from Britain, Pune saw a lot of development, such as the establishment of the National Defence Academy at Khadakwasla and the National Chemical Laboratory at Pashan. Pune serves as the headquarters of the Southern Command of the Indian Army.^[65] Industrial development started in the 1950s and '60s in Hadapsar, Bhosari, Pimpri and Parvati.^[66] Telco (now Tata Motors) started operations in 1961, which gave a huge boost to the automobile sector.^{[citation needed]}
In 1990, Pune began to attract foreign capital, particularly in the information technology and engineering industries. New businesses like floriculture, food processing, and wineries started to take root in and around the city. In 1998, work on the six-lane Mumbai-Pune expressway began, and was completed in 2001.^[67] IT Parks were established in Aundh, Hinjawadi and Wagholi. In 2008, the Commonwealth Youth Games took place in Pune, which encouraged additional development in the northwest region of the city.^[68]
On 13 February 2010, a bomb exploded at the German Bakery in the upmarket Koregaon Park neighbourhood on the east side of Pune, killing 17 and injuring 60.^[69] The explosion is now suspected to be an IED using an ammonium nitrate fuel oil mix.^[70] The blast was a first in what was until then a relatively safe city.