Pune

Pune is a city in the western Indian state of Maharashtra. Located about 160 kilometers south of Mumbai, it sits on the Deccan Plateau at an elevation of around 560 meters. It is the administrative headquarters of Pune District and forms a major economic and cultural hub of the region. The city is traditionally known as Punawadi and was also called Poona during the colonial era; the modern spelling Pune is widely used today.

Historically the seat of the Peshwa rulers of the Maratha Empire, Pune features historic sites such as Shaniwar Wada, Aga Khan Palace, and the Dagdusheth Halwai Temple. It is home to a number of forts and hill forts in surrounding areas, and the city serves as a gateway to the hill forts of the Western Ghats.

Pune is renowned for its educational institutions, earning the nickname "Oxford of the East." It hosts Savitribai Phule Pune University, various colleges, IISER Pune, and institutes of technology and business. The city has a vibrant Marathi theatre and cinema scene, historical museums, and cultural events.

Economically, Pune has a diversified base that includes information technology, software services, education, research, and manufacturing. The Pune metropolitan region includes technology parks such as Hinjewadi and Magarpatta, and the Pimpri-Chinchwad area is a major manufacturing center. The city is connected by the Mumbai–Pune road and rail corridor and has Pune International Airport, with civil aviation connections.

Pune has a tropical climate with hot summers, a monsoon season, and mild winters. The Mula and Mutha rivers flow through the city, and nearby hills and forts contribute to its green landscape.