Here is an article about Pune, the Deccan Queen.
The Deccan Queen: India’s Most Underrated Metropolis?
When we talk about India’s great metropolises, the usual suspects dominate the conversation. We speak of the relentless financial energy of Mumbai, the political gravity of Delhi, the tech-fueled boom of Bengaluru, and the coastal culture of Chennai. But nestled in the Sahyadri mountain range, just a few hours from Mumbai’s shadow, lies a city that quietly defies simple categorization: Pune, the venerable “Deccan Queen.”
For decades, Pune has worn its other monikers—”Oxford of the East,” “Pensioner’s Paradise”—like comfortable old robes. But these titles, while once accurate, now obscure the reality of a dynamic, multifaceted city that has evolved into a powerhouse in its own right. The question is no longer whether Pune is a major city, but whether it is, in fact, India’s most underrated metropolis.
The argument begins with its unique blend of history and modernity. Unlike many cities where the past is either bulldozed or commercialized into a caricature, Pune’s history is a living, breathing part of its identity. The legacy of the Maratha Empire echoes through the ramparts of Shaniwar Wada, while the city’s intellectual soul was forged in the hallowed halls of Fergusson College and Savitribai Phule Pune University, earning it the “Oxford of the East” title. This historical and academic foundation has created a culture of intellectual curiosity and respect for heritage that still permeates the city.
But this isn’t a city stuck in the past. Over the last two decades, Pune has exploded into an economic titan. The sprawling IT parks of Hinjawadi and Magarpatta City are home to global tech giants, making it a formidable rival to Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Beyond software, Pune is a manufacturing and automotive hub, with international brands like Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, and General Electric setting up major production facilities. This diversified economic base provides a resilience and stability that many single-industry cities lack.
This economic boom has transformed Pune into a truly cosmopolitan hub, attracting talent from across India and the globe. Yet, this is where the “underrated” argument gains its most significant traction: its unparalleled quality of life.
While other metropolises often demand a Faustian bargain—offering opportunity at the cost of peace, space, and clean air—Pune presents a more balanced proposition. Its most celebrated feature is its famously pleasant climate, a welcome respite from the oppressive humidity of Mumbai or the extreme temperatures of Delhi. The city is greener, literally and figuratively. The hills, or tekdis, like Vetal Tekdi and Parvati Hill, serve as the city’s green lungs, offering residents trekking trails and panoramic views right within the city limits.
The pace of life here is energetic but not frantic. There is a palpable buzz in the cafés of Koregaon Park and the bustling lanes of FC Road, but it rarely tips into the soul-crushing chaos of its larger counterparts. This unique rhythm—the ability to have a high-powered career and still enjoy a quiet evening or a weekend trek to the historic Sinhagad Fort—is a luxury that few Indian metros can offer.
Culturally, Pune is a treasure trove. It is a city that reveres the arts, from the prestigious Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav, one of India’s most important classical music festivals, to its thriving Marathi theatre scene. Its culinary landscape is a delightful journey through time. You can savor a century-old legacy with bun maska at Goodluck Café, queue up for the legendary Shrewsbury biscuits at Kayani Bakery, or dive into a plate of fiery Misal Pav, the city’s signature dish. Simultaneously, a wave of modern bistros, craft breweries, and fine-dining restaurants reflects its globalized palate.
So, why does Pune remain underrated? Perhaps it’s because it doesn’t shout. It doesn’t have a singular, marketable identity like “Bollywood” or “Silicon Valley.” Its strengths are plural: it is a historical capital, an academic center, an IT hub, a manufacturing base, and a haven for nature lovers. It is a city of substance over style.
Pune, the Deccan Queen, isn’t vying for the same throne as Mumbai or Delhi. It’s reigning over its own domain, offering a rare synthesis of work and life, ambition and tranquility, heritage and progress. For those who have discovered its charm, its underrated status is its greatest asset, preserving the very qualities that make it so special. It may not be the loudest metropolis in India, but it might just be the smartest.
