Pune history dates back to the 8th century A.D. when it was ruled by the Rashtrakutas. During their regime Pune was called Punya Vishaya or Punaka Vishaya. Therafter, it was ruled by the Yadavs till the end of the 14th century. Muslim domination of Pune continued till the middle of the 17th century. Pune once again came under Hindu rulers, with the advent of Shivaji. Subsequently, the Maratha rulers continued to rule Pune till 1818 when it went under British rule.
Pune the beginning - Pune from 8th century AD till Shivaji
The history of Pune can be traced back to the Rashtrakuta rulers who ruled the Maratha region from the 8th century AD to the middle of the 10th century. Amogavarsha, who lived from 814 AD to 880 AD, was the most famous king of the Rashtrakutas. He was a great patron of Jain literature and art. Krishna III was the last great ruler of the Rashtrakuta dynasty. Ellora Kailash temple was constructed during the reign of Krishna I.
From inscriptions on copper plates belonging to this period Pune was referred to as 'Punaka Desha' (meaning holy land) or 'Punaka Wadi' (holy place).
With the downfall of the Rashtrakutas, Pune went under the control of the Yadavs. The Yadavs ruled Maharashtra from 10th century AD to the end of the 13th century. Singhania, the Yadav ruler was a lover of literature and art. Sant Dnyaneshwar, a Bhakti saint
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lived during this period. The Yadav rule came to an end with the coming of Ala-ud-din Khilji. Thereafter, from 1294 to the beginning of the 17th century Pune in Maharashtra was under Muslim rule till the advent of Shivaji who was born in 1627.
Shivaji captured the forts of Torna, Kondana, and Rajgad and set up his kingdom around the Western Ghats in Maharashtra. The Pune city was developed by Dadaji Konddev, the mentor of Shivaji.
Modern Pune - Pune after Shivaji till British Raj
After the expiry of Shivaji in 1680, Pune gained importance during the rule of Peshwa rulers- Peshwa Thorala Bajirao I between 1720-1740, and Thorala Bajirao Peshwa II from 1740-1761. During the rule of Thorala Bajirao I, the Peshwa royal palace Shaniwarwada was constructed. All other important buildings, and edifices were built during this period. 'Hazari Karanje'- the fountain with thousand outlets is an architectural marvel of this era.
Thorala Bajirao II made significant development plans for Pune city. He set up a number of 'Peths' or present day municipal wards for better maintenance of the city. He devised a regular water supply to Pune city from nearby Ktaraj Lake. The Parvati temple, an important tourist attraction was built during his reign. After the demise of Thorala Bajirao II, internal feud among the family members disintegrated the Maratha power, and the British took control of Pune in 1818.
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