A Visit to The Queen of The Deccan

[Vinod kardam]

Pune is a city in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is also known by the name Queen of the Deccan. Whether it is the Oxford of the East or the Queen of the Deccan, the city of Pune seems to have earned all these titles fair and square with its magnificent history and rich cultural heritage. This city amazingly symbolises the future and a good potential for development along with a rich history that is sure to mesmerise you with its flair. This city stands testimony to the long lasting Maratha empire. It has served as home to the legendary Raja Shivaji and the entire city is marked by a large number of glorious forts and palaces that are a symbol of its rich heritage. It has served as the home to the Peshwas as well after their rise, shortly after Shivaji. Thus a Maratha family rose from being the position of the family of a minister at the court into a major and strong political power over the next few decades. All this glorious period of history flourished up until the battle of Panipat in 1761 when the Maratha empire began to fall. Finally during the year of 1818, Pune was taken away under the rule of the British East India Company.

Pune has recently emerged as the centre of marathi culture and it also symbolises great strides in the field of education and culture. It is home to several centers of art and craft, while theatre is also a major part and parcel of the cultural fabric of the city. It is home to one of India’s oldest universities while the large number of colleges and other universities here attracts students from around the world. This is probably the reason that it is called as the “Oxford of the East”. Pune has emerged as a cosmopolitan city in the past decade and it is a major commercial centre of the state of Maharashtra. You can witness an old world charm here in its buildings, rickshaws and even the omnipresent cyclists. It enjoys a temperate climate and it widely regarded as one of the greenest urban areas of the country. It has beautiful lakes and hills to mesmerise its visitors. All these attractions are thoroughly included in all the Pune tour packages.

If you are a history lover, you should head to the Raja DinkarKelkar Museum which is one of the best delights this city has to offer on the plate of history lovers. It contains the collection made by DinkarKelkar and includes hundreds of quirky objects such as textiles, utensils, lamps, jewellery, toys, puppets, betel-nut cutters, furniture and a separate and beautiful gallery of musical instruments. You can also head to the Aga Khan Palace which was built by Sultan Aga Khan III. It is an elegant building and is set in a wooded plat in a serene location. All these attractions lie in close proximity to major hotels of the city. So you can check out this Pune hotels list and choose a suitable accommodation for you. You will be provided with superb hospitality and the best of facilities depending upon your budget.