When was the earliest known reference to Pune found?
A copper plate dated 937 CE bears the earliest known reference to this settlement, calling it Punya-vishaya. The word vishaya means land, while Punaka and Punya both mean holy.
Questions about Pune
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who renamed the city Poona in 1857?
The British Anglicized the name to Poona in 1857, then officially changed it back to Pune in 1978. This change occurred after Mughal emperor Aurangzeb temporarily renamed a central neighborhood Muhiyabad between 1703 and 1705.
Where is the Lal Mahal residence located in Pune?
Shahaji selected Pune for his wife Jijabai and young son Shivaji, and the Lal Mahal residence was completed in 1640 AD where Shivaji spent his youth. Murar Jagdeo destroyed the town in 1636 before Shahaji regained control.
Which educational institution opened in 1854 in Pune?
College of Engineering Pune opened in 1854 becoming third oldest engineering college in Asia. Deccan Education Society formed in 1884 with Bal Gangadhar Tilak founding Fergusson College in 1885.
When did the breach in Panshet dam occur in Pune?
The breach in Panschet dam and resulting flood of 1961 led to severe damage destroying housing close to river banks spurring new suburbs development. As of January 2026 up to 490 electric buses deployed across city making it first Indian city adopting e-buses.