Historically significant, Pune finds a mention in the Puranas, one of the world's oldest religious treatises. The city has plenty of monuments, temples and museums that stand testimony to its heroic and cultural past. They tell us stories about the saint poets Dnyaneshwar and Tukaram, of warrior king Shivaji, and the Peshwa rulers whose legendary exploits on the battlefield are still retold with awe.

Pune also played an important role in the country's freedom struggle. It is from here that leaders such as Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Gopalkrishna Gokhale and Jyotiba Phule led impressive and important battles against the British and regressive social traditions.

Steeped in Maharashtrian tradition and culture, Pune has become more cosmopolitan over the past few years. Its population of four million includes professionals from across the country who have made the city their home and contributed to modern Pune's unique culture.