Introduction

Pune (IPA: [puɳe] English pronunciation: /ˈpuːnə/;^[6][7][8][9]) is the 9th most populous city in India and the second largest in the state of Maharashtra after the state capital Mumbai. Pune is also the 101st largest city in the world, by population.^[10]

It is situated 560 metres (1,837 feet) above sea level on the Deccan plateau, on the right bank of the Mutha river.^[11]Pune city is the administrative headquarters of Pune district and was once the centre of power of the Maratha Empire established by Shivaji Maharaj.

In the 18th century, Pune became the political centre of the Indian subcontinent, as the seat of the Peshwas who were the prime ministers of the Maratha Empire.^[12]

Pune is considered the cultural capital of Maharashtra.^[13] Since the 1950s and 1960s, Pune has had a traditional old-economic base. Most of the old industries continue to grow. The city is also known for its manufacturing and automobile industries, as well as for research institutes of information technology (IT), education, management and training, which attracts students, and professionals from India, South East Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Pune is also one of the fastest growing cities in the Asia-Pacific region. The ‘Mercer 2015 Quality of Living rankings’ evaluated local living conditions in more than 440 cities around the world where Pune ranked at 145, second in India after Hyderabad (138).^[14] It also highlights Pune among evolving business centres and emerging 9 cities around the world with citation "Hosts IT and automotive companies".