Queen of the Deccan, Oxford of the East, and cultural capital of Maharashtra. Pune is India's well kept secret, with a future that promises to be as interesting as its history. Long-standing bastion of the Maratha empire and home to the legendary Raja Shivaji, the Pune district is marked by magnificent land and ancient sea forts, witness to its glorious past.

Today, Pune is the centre of traditional Marathi culture, in which education, arts and crafts, and theatre are given place of pride. It has one of India's oldest universities, is home to one of the first five agriculture Colleges established in India and its numerous colleges attract both Indian and international students, which is probably why it is called the Oxford of the East.

Pune has become a cosmopolitan city and is now an important commercial centre and the software capital of Maharashtra. The narrow winding roads of the old Pune offer an interesting contrast to the new landscape complete with expressway and a fast growing urban silhouette. Surrounded by verdant hills and beautiful lakes, Pune has a temperate climate and is among the greenest urban areas in the country.