Introduction

The history of modern India shows that all the provinces of the Pune division played a crucial role in the Maratha sovereignty and the fight for Independence. This land has been home and workplace to many revered saints, social reformers, revolutionaries, and progressive thinkers whose contributions are celebrated nationwide. The public (sarvajanik) Ganesh festival of Pune, which started in the pre-independence era, played a significant role in uniting people for the freedom movement. Even after independence, Pune division has witnessed remarkable transformations through cooperative movements, irrigation projects, and educational initiatives.

The Pune division is rich in historical heritage, with numerous ancient sites, religious pilgrimage places, many structures bearing the marks of royal grandeur and monuments reflecting the glorious era of the Maratha Empire. Many historical forts and royal structures still stand preserved.

The western part of the Pune division is blessed with natural beauty. The unyielding Sahyadri mountain range is the source of many sacred rivers. The biodiversity of flora, fauna, and birdlife, especially in the western regions of Pune, Satara, and Kolhapur districts, makes this division a natural treasure.

Pune division is home to several religious places that attract devotees not just from Maharashtra but across India. Some of these include Kuldaivat of Maharashtra Shri Khandoba Temple Jejuri, Shri Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Khed ,Shri Vitthal Rukmini Temple Pandharpur,Shri Mahalakshmi Temple Kolhapur ,Shri Jyotiba Temple Panhala.

Additionally, other significant pilgrimage places include Panchganga Temple Mahabaleshwar, Shri Shikhar Shinganapur Temple Shinganapur, Shri Kshetra Mahuli Sangam Satara, Shri Khandoba Temple Pal, Shri Dattasthan Aundumbar, Shri Dattasthan Nrusinhwadi, Shri Gagangiri Maharaj Math Gaganbawada, Shri Siddheswar Temple Solapur, Shri Swami Samarth Temple Akkalkot, Shri Kopeshwar Temple Khidrapur, Birthplace of Shri Sant Tukaram Maharaj Dehu, Samadhisthan of Shri Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Aalandi, Samadhisthan of Shri Sant Sopankaka Maharaj Saswad, Shri Neera Narsinhpur Temple Indapur and many others.

Five of the eight Ashtavinayak Ganpati temples are located in the Pune division are Shri Mayureshwar Ganpati Morgaon ,Shri Chintamani Ganpati Theur,Shri Mahaganpati Ranjangaon, Shri Varadvinayak Ganpati Ozar and Shri Girijatmaj Ganpati Lenyadri.

Pune division has several magnificent historical buildings, including Shaniwar Wada Pune,Lal Mahal Pune,Aga Khan Palace Pune, Ohel David Synagogue Pune ,New Shalini Palace Kolhapur, Shahu Palace Kolhapur, Sangli Palace Sangli. Many freedom fighters were imprisoned in the barracks of Yerwada Jail which are still preserved as historical sites.

This division is also home to numerous forts significant in Maharashtra’s glorious history, such as Shivneri, Purandar, Torna, Sinhagad, Rajgad, Lohagad, Ajinkyatara, Sajjangad, Pratapgad, Vasota, Machhindragad, Prachitgad, Bhuikot Fort Solapur, Vishalgad, Panhala, Vairatgad and many others.

Several important wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in this division include Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhigwan Bird Sanctuary, Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary, Sagreshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandoli National Park and Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary. These forests house Maharashtra’s state animal, the Indian giant squirrel (Shekru), along with bisons, tigers, deers, elephants, leopards, blackbucks and a variety of trees and birds.Tourist attractions in the Pune division include ancient rock-cut caves such as Karla, Bhaje, Lenyadri, and Pataleshwar, Ranjan Khalege Shirur, Mastani Lake Vadki, Shinde Chhatri Wanwadi.

Artifacts from historical events, manuscripts, sculptures, textiles, weapons, and other antiques are preserved in museums like Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum, Mahatma Phule Museum, and Darshan Museum.

The Sahyadri range is the origin of several major rivers, including Bhima, Indrayani, Mula, Mutha, Neera, Koyna, Krishna, Warna and Panchganga. Important dams such as Ujani, Veer, Bhatghar, Khadakwasla, Panshet, Dhom, Chandoli, and Radhanagari play a crucial role in irrigation and power supply. The Koyna Hydroelectric Project provides electricity to a large part of Maharashtra. Popular hill stations in the Pune division include Lonavala, Khandala, Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani, and Gaganbawda. Kaas Plateau in Satara, known for its rare species of wildflowers, is often called the ‘Valley of Flowers of Maharashtra’.

Pune division leads in agriculture, producing crops such as rice, bajra, wheat, sugarcane, maize, chickpeas, peanuts, jawar, soyabean and turmeric. It is also prominent in the cultivation of bananas, mangoes, guavas, grapes and pomegranates as well as floriculture.

With excellent education facilities, trade, transportation, employment and research opportunities this division remains at the forefront of development. It is well known for silver jewellery craftsmanship, Kolhapuri chappals, sugar, jaggery, woolen blankets (ghongdis), raisins, turmeric, and handloom textiles with many of these products being exported internationally.

Pune division houses 22 central government institutions including research centres, laboratories, production units and major defence establishments. The Headquarter of Southern Command of the Indian Army is located in Pune along with key institutions like the National Defence Academy (NDA), Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), and College of Military Engineering (CME). Additionally, several Maharashtra government departments have their Commissionerates in this division.

A total of 56 industrial and information technology (IT) hubs have been developed significantly contributing to the economy. IT hubs in Kharadi, Hinjewadi and Talwade are renowned at the national level.

The Pune division exemplifies a perfect blend of tradition and modernity, shaped by Maharashtra’s rich heritage and evolving progress. Government projects have been effectively implemented, making the division a leader in education, research, economy, and overall development.

History of Pune Vidhan Bhavan

Pune, a city blessed by the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, is home to numerous historic and heritage structures that showcase its rich history. The city’s heritage buildings represent a blend of Maratha, British, and cultural influences, highlighting Pune’s historical significance. From royal palaces, British-era offices, Temples, Churches, Markets to educational institutions, these structures tell the story of Pune’s evolution.
This includes a noteworthy historical structure, the Vidhan Bhavan or Council Hall of Pune. Erected in 1870, this edifice has borne witness to many significant events since.
The legislative building was constructed with stone and brick materials and finished in 1870 while under British rule. The ground floor and the first floor of the structure each span an area of 1258.01 square meters, resulting in a total constructed area of 2516 square meters. The whole Vidhan Bhavan complex is spread over an area of 8 acres.
The meeting hall located on the ground floor of the main structure has a height of 10 meters. The ceiling in this hall features intricate wooden craftsmanship, and the entire roof of the building consists of GI sheets, topped with wood work and Mangalore tiles.
The hall had stunning large stained-glass windows and was originally painted white and gold. A beautiful circular Rose window of painted glass on the northern wall depicts the star of India. It features the crown of the Queen of England and the inscription, “Heaven’s Light Our Guide.” The glass’s artistry, which has withstood the test of time despite a few cracks and breaks, features motifs of local flora, including lotus flowers and palm leaves.
The old structure was restored without causing any harm to its historic fabric order to preserve architectural harmony and blend in with the existing heritage building. In order to support government operations while maintaining the site’s historical significance, restoration work included new offices and meeting spaces, modern amenities, and state-of-the-art technological facilities. The interior restoration included restoring intricate wooden craftsmanship, iron railings, and decorative elements like the gold-leaf work on the wooden false ceiling.
The Government of India Act of 1935 established the legislative assembly in the Bombay Province for the first time. Prior to that, a Legislative Council had existed since 1862; however, elected representatives adhering to democratic principles sought to have decision-making authority. The 1935 legislation permitted general elections, allowing citizens to choose their representatives. The inaugural session of the Legislative Assembly took place on July 19, 1937, at the Vidhan Bhavan.
Elections for Speaker and Deputy Speaker: The voting for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Assembly occurred on July 21, 1937. Shri Ganesh Vasudev Mavlankar and Shri Narayan Gururao Joshi were elected as Speaker and Deputy Speaker, respectively, by unanimous decision. Shri Mavalankar eventually assumed the position of Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Upon taking his position, Shri Mavlankar, prior to starting the day’s activities, conveyed his wish for the members to sing Vande Mataram. The members rose to their feet and sang the anthem in a reverent atmosphere, creating a moment filled with patriotic enthusiasm.
Resolution to form a constitutional Committee: On September 21, 1937, Shri Balasaheb Kher proposed a significant resolution to create a Constitution Committee aimed at achieving India’s Independence and formulating a constitution. This resolution was passed without dissent and occupies an important position in the history of the Indian Constitution.
First session after Independence: Following India’s independence, the inaugural legislative session took place on September 10, 1947, at the Council Hall (Vidhan Bhavan) in Pune. The members were required to take the oath once more, as the previous oath was made in the name of the King of England and the Emperor of India. This time, the oath was sworn in the name of a sovereign India.
Pune Vidhan Bhavan building: A witness of historical events – From 1937 to 1955, this building hosted 13 legislative sessions in total. Among those sessions, the one that took place from August 17 to November 17, 1938, spanned 62 days and included 369 hours and 45 minutes of discussions, marking it as the longest session in the legislature’s history up to that point. Several key decisions and legislative choices were made for the welfare of the public, with significant laws passed during the assembly sessions conducted at Pune Vidhan Bhavan.
Some of the significant laws passed in the Pune Vidhan Bhavan include:-

Prohibition of Bigamy Act, 1946
Harijan Temple Entry Act, 1947
Tenancy and Agriculture Lands Act, 1948
Saline Land act, 1948
Pune University Act, 1947

Both chambers of the legislature, in line with national democratic principles, have led initiatives aimed at public welfare and overall development. The legislative assemblies of Maharashtra have been instrumental in fostering progressive, efficient, and citizen-focused governance. In honor of this remarkable history and to uphold the principles of democracy, a Golden Jubilee discussion session took place on February 17, 1989, at this same venue.
The structure at Pune Vidhan Bhavan has been the site of numerous historic events. The legislature, established in this building in 1973, once more turned into a place of historical significance during the celebration of the Legislature’s Amrit Mahotsav. A seminar took place on November 9, 2012, providing the opportunity to the current members of the legislature to gather in the same location.
The area was designated as the office of the Divisional Commissioner, overseeing administrative operations of five districts Kolhapur, Solapur, Satara, Sangli and Pune. The structure houses various government departments and is utilized for official meetings, policy discussions, and administrative functions.