Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
The founder of the Maratha kingdom, who spent his childhood in Pune at Lal Mahal with Rajmata Jijabai.
Read more about Chhatrapati Shivaji MaharajPune's Pride
People who made Pune the cultural capital of Maharashtra.
Pune is called the cultural capital of Maharashtra because of its people. Kings and generals, social reformers, freedom fighters, teachers, writers and musicians lived and worked here, and many of the ideas that changed modern India were first spoken in Pune.
Here are some of the people Pune is proud of. We will keep adding more.
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Rajmata Jijabai
The mother of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who rebuilt Pune and raised her son with the dream of Swarajya.
Read more about Rajmata Jijabai -
Mahatma Jyotirao Phule
The great social reformer who, with his wife Savitribai, opened schools for girls and fought against caste discrimination in Pune.
Read more about Mahatma Jyotirao Phule -
Savitribai Phule
India's first woman teacher of modern times, who taught girls in Pune despite insults and attacks. The University of Pune is named after her.
Read more about Savitribai Phule -
Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak
The fiery freedom fighter whose words "Swaraj is my birthright" moved the country. He made Pune a centre of the freedom movement.
Read more about Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak -
Gopal Krishna Gokhale
The moderate leader and teacher at Fergusson College whom Mahatma Gandhi called his political guru. Founder of the Servants of India Society.
Read more about Gopal Krishna Gokhale -
Maharshi Dhondo Keshav Karve
The reformer who worked all his life for the education of women and widows, and founded India's first university for women. Bharat Ratna, 1958.
Read more about Maharshi Dhondo Keshav Karve -
Pandita Ramabai
A brilliant scholar and reformer who started homes and schools for widows and girls in Pune and at Kedgaon.
Read more about Pandita Ramabai -
Pu La Deshpande
The best-loved Marathi humorist, writer, actor and musician. Generations of Maharashtrians grew up with his stories.
Read more about Pu La Deshpande -
Pandit Bhimsen Joshi
One of the greatest Hindustani classical singers, who made Pune his home and built the Sawai Gandharva music festival. Bharat Ratna, 2008.
Read more about Pandit Bhimsen Joshi
