08.27.07

Architectural Expressions of Pune

Posted in PuneCity Info at 12:25 pm by PuneTalks

Today, anybody would agree that Pune, the cultural capital of Maharashtra is changing with an acute and rapid momentum. Today, Pune is no more just a cultural capital of Maharashtra, it is one of the forefront thriving IT hubs of the world. Today it is no more just a pensioner’s paradise, it is the enticing abode for all the student community of the world. Today it is no more a just a habitat situated in the valleys of Sahyadri, it is the silicon valley of India.

Certainly in this changing scenario, to a great extent, Pune has always been successful in holding the essence and character of the country. In retaining the plural essence of India, Pune’s architectures have always been at the forefront.

The earliest evidence of 8th century reveals that the region which we know today as Pune, was ruled by the Rashtrakut dynasty. These medieval roots are evident in the temple of Pataleshwar, the oldest structure in the city. This rock-cut temple, from the 8th century AD is the shrine of Lord Shiva. The Nandi and the pillars are carved from one single rock. The temple is reminiscent of the Kailasa temple at Ellora. The way it is carved out right below the level of terrene, has given it an identity i.e. Pataleshwar.

The city had lost its charm for many centuries after Yadavas, but gained the momentum in the 16th century during the period of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

When Dadoji Konddev, a mentor and teacher of Shivaji Maharaj came in Pune in 1637, he noticed that a Brhmin named Vinayak Thakar used to worship Lord Ganpati in a small temple in the area of Kasba. He came to know that original temple was destroyed and so the bramhin performs all the rituals clandestinely. Jijabai, Shivaji’s mother rejuvenated the whole temple with the help of Dadoji and the shrine was transformed into a temple of gramdevta i.e. the presiding deity of the city. This is the famous temple of Pune we know today as the Kasba Ganapati Mandir.

The habitat actually started getting its identity when, in 1635 Chhatrapati Shivaji with his mother Jijabai came to stay in the mansion known as “Lal Mahal”. For Shivaji and Jijabai, Lal Mahal was built to the west of Kasba Ganpati. The plot for the mansion was bought from the Zambre Patil of Pune.

The planning and engineering of Pune in its primitive form was like any other village of Maharashtra. In rural Maharashta of 16th century, there used to be a temple of Ganpati at the gateway of any village.  The Kasba Ganpati temple was certainly the entrance of Pune. There used to be the shrines of local Gods like Mhasoba, Bhairoba and Maruti in every village. Several such shrines can be found in the region of Pune also. At the end of 17th century the village probably had around 10,000 residents.

In 1725 Chtrapati Shahu Maharaj handed over the region of Pune to Bajirao Peshwa. After Chatrapati, it was in Peshwa rule that city really experienced its heydays. Under Peshwa’s rule, Maratha Kingdome spread over the regions of Gujrat, Malava, Rajsthan and Delhi.

During the period of Peshwa, the population of the region started really thriving as people gathered in the city for purpose of trading. To accommodate the thriving population many localities which we know as Peth were established.

Peth was a kind of administrative unit of the city. There ware total 18 Peths towards the end of the Peshwa rule.

Important ingredients of ancient city planning can be found in any Peth of Pune. These localities were generally named after the days of a week or after a major temple located within their boundaries, (such as Kasba Peth, Ganesh Peth, Bhawani Peth and Ganj Peth) or after certain notable Maratha or Peshwa ruler. (such as Sadashiv Peth for Sadashivrao Bhau, Nana Peth for Nanasaheb Peshwe, Narayan Peth for Narayanrao Peshwe, Ghorpade Peth for Santaji Ghorpade and Rasta Peth for Sardar Raste.)

Each Peth has its unique architectural expression which is in compliance with the period of its formulation. For example, as population started thriving in Pune and older localities like shaniwar and Kasba were unable to accommodate the newly arrived group of traders, the Ravivar Peth was established. Trading accounts were opened from Kedar Ves to Pasodya Maruti Mandir. In following years goldsmiths of Budhwar Peth also shifted to Ravivar Peth and the locale was named as ‘Sarafi Katta’. In just few years it became one of the richest Peth of Pune and the main chowk was named as ‘Moti Chowk’. As ‘Sarafi Katta’ became popular for its gold trading, the temple of Maruti at south corner of the ‘Sarafi Katta’ was named as Sonya Maruti.

There are number of such interesting stories behind every architectural expression of the city. In the history of Pune, its architectures of past have played a crucial role in defining its identity, and understanding them would certainly help anyone to redefine the present and the future of the city.

Article by Aseem J. Tribhuvan

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