City history
Tracing its origin to 8th-century Rashtrakuta copper plates as Punya Vishaya, Pune evolved through Kasbe Pune and colonial Poona before adopting Indian Standard Time in 1906.
Chapter one
Earliest documented name
"Sacred region or land"
Documented on 8th-century Rashtrakuta dynasty copper plates, the name combines 'punya' (sacred or holy) and 'vishaya' (administrative district), referring to the settlement situated near the Mula-Mutha river confluence.
Sacred district or region
Recorded on Rashtrakuta dynasty copper plates dated 758 CE and 768 CE as a regional administrative headquarters.
Sacred settlement
Evolved during Yadava dynasty rule and medieval settlement, referencing the expanding town along the Mutha River.
Market town Pune
Used during Shahaji Raje Bhosale's administration, designating Pune as an established agricultural center and market town.
City of Muhi
Temporarily renamed by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb after his great-grandson, but reverted shortly after Aurangzeb's death.
Anglicized form of Pune
Adopted during British colonial rule and used in official government records, maps, and early railway timetables.
Sacred or holy site
Officially restored by the Maharashtra state government in 1978 to reflect correct native Devanagari pronunciation.
Chapter two
Pune operated under Bombay Local Time at UTC+04:51 following recommendations from the 1884 International Meridian Conference.
British India introduced Indian Standard Time (UTC+05:30) anchored at 82.5°E longitude, unifying regional railway and postal schedules.
India implemented War Time (UTC+06:30) during World War II, advancing clocks by one hour across the subcontinent to save energy.
Following the conclusion of World War II, clocks returned to standard UTC+05:30, ending seasonal wartime clock adjustments.
Chapter three
A copper plate grant issued during Rashtrakuta rule provides the earliest surviving written reference to Punya Vishaya.
Construction finished on an 80-foot octagonal stone tower at Lord Reay Market, creating a central public clock for the city.
The Great Indian Peninsula Railway launched the electric Deccan Queen express, renowned for punctual service between Mumbai and Pune.
Astrophysicist Jayant Narlikar co-founded the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics on the Pune University campus.