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India.com
2 days ago
- General
- India.com
How Did Pune REALLY Get Its Name? What Historians Say Will Surprise You!
Pune's 'Oxford of the East' and 'Cultural Capital of Maharashtra' epithets show how education and modernity run parallel in this Indian city which is well known for its history. Its diversity together with its booming IT sector are pointers towards one of India's most developed cities. Have you ever thought about the origins of Pun's name? The phrase has a captivating backstory that touches on its geography and mythological roots as well linguistics. Religious and mythological links serve as the basis for some of Pune's origin name theories. Pune's name can be traced back to words like Punyagiri or Punyanagari which means virtuous city, as claimed by existing Hindu mythology. As legend has it, sage Punyeshwar (who is a reincarnation of Lord Shiva) is believed to have meditated here which later got associated with his name. Eventually Punyanagari was chopped into Pune. Such connections only add to the rich history and cultural significance of the city. Some say that the city was named after Punyapur, a city created by sage Punyakshi, which might suggest a mythological tale regarding its origin. These stories highlight the city's ancient origins with someone who was around during the spiritual sage practices. Geographical Influence The name of the city is already suggestive of the Mula and Mutha rivers which conjoin to form the Mula Mutha river system. Puna or Poona, a word in Marathi, translates to 'the confluence of rivers' which suggests the city was named after these rivers. Similarly, the rivers aided in vegetation by providing water, which further accentuates their importance in the history of Pune. Another possible source for the nomenclature of Pune city is the fact that it is located on the Deccan Plateau, surrounded by mounds and valleys, which also explains why the city is called Pune. It is also believed that the word 'Pune' stemmed from the Marathi word 'Punawadi,' which translates to 'a settlement near a hill'. This aligns with the topography of Pune as the city is located in the middle of the Sahyadri mountain range. Evolution of History Tracing the history of the city, Pune as a name has transformed over the years, at one point being Punyapur, then Punak and later on being coined as Punawadi during the reign of the Yadavas of Devagiri. The term was widely recognized during the 17th century under the Maratha Empire as a sign of pride, be it politically or culturally, owing to the rule of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and later on the Peshwas. In the 9th and 13th centuries the city also served as a bustling region while the Rashtrakuta dynasty and the Yadavs ruled the area respectively. In regard to the Pune term, it was earlier used as Poona by the British. This version was highly used until the independence of India in 1947. Following freedom, a much wider scope of reclaiming Indian heritage along with integration and unity was marked, leading to Pune's original name being returned to further signify pride. Linguistic Perspective As far as linguistics go, the name Pune is thought to have appeared from the Sanskrit word Punya, which translates to 'virtue' or 'merit.' The suffix -e, which marks a place, is usually found at the end of Marathi places. Hence, Pune can mean either a 'place of virtue' or a 'place of merit.' This fits with the city's image as an educational, spiritual, and cultural supercity. Legacy and Modern Identity Pune is now a cosmopolitan city, and yet retains its historical roots. Its name itself serves as a snapshot of its rich history; It has mythological roots and was the capital of the Maratha Empire. Pune's legacy is exhibited by its rich historic remains such as the Shaniwar Wada, Aga Khan Palace, Lal Mahal, and many more. Aside from being important historically, Pune also developed as an important education, research, and technology hub of the world. It also hosts the University of Pune, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) and College of Engineering Pune (COEP) which earned the city the title: 'Oxford of the East.' Additionally, the city's impressive IT sector and active cultural life makes it even more appealing as a contemporary city. Final Thoughts The origin of the name 'Pune' is a story revealing some enriching information behind its mythology, geography, history, and linguistics. The combination of both river confluences or sage attributes combined with people's merits fully justifies the name Pune as a city with deep cultural, spiritual, and intellectual significance. Even as the city continues to develop in leaps and bounds, the name will always symbolize the city's legacy and promise for a better tomorrow.
Indian Express
14-07-2025
- Indian Express
‘How could a father kill his own daughter? Times have changed': Residents at Radhika's ancestral village in Gurgaon
Just off Gurgaon's upscale Golf Course Road, nestled between villas and high-rises, lies Wazirabad village. Surrounded by sectors 52, 53, 56, and 57, it is only 3 km from the nearest Rapid Metro station. Over the years, much of the village land has been purchased by DLF Limited, Haryana Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC), and Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA). In 2010, Wazirabad made news when 350 acres of its prime land was acquired from the panchayat and sold for Rs 17 billion to developer DLF Limited. Today, with a population of around 10,000 — predominantly Yadavs — the village, as a tehsil, records annual property registrations worth up to Rs 25,000 crore. On Thursday, Wazirabad found itself in the spotlight again. Deepak Yadav, a former resident, was arrested for murder — he had allegedly shot his daughter, a state-level tennis player. Five days after the crime, a sense of disbelief hangs in the air. 'How could a man kill his own daughter?' residents ask. 'Times have changed now.' A 59-year-old man, who lives near Mata Chowk, says Deepak was a good man. 'I had known him for years before he shifted from here. I don't know how he could do that to his daughter.' The Gurgaon Police had claimed that Deepak, when questioned after his arrest, told them that he had been upset for a while as he was being taunted by locals — Wazirabad's residents — for living off his daughter's income. Following this, Deepak had allegedly told Radhika to stop working. But she didn't. Radhika had competed in various national and international tennis tournaments, achieving a career-best ranking of 75 in Girls Under-18, 53 in Women's Doubles, and 35 in Women's Singles as per All India Tennis Association (AITA) records. According to sources, she also trained children at various academies, including one situated a few metres away from her home and another in Sector 61. On July 10, when she was cooking, Deepak picked up a revolver and killed her at their home in Sushant Lok 2 in Sector 57 — barely 1.5 km from the village. 'We are modern now' The roads in Wazirabad are uneven, lined by rows of faded pink, white, and yellow houses. Above them, a web of tangled wires stretches across the sky. Crowded shops — hardware stores, salons, furniture dealers — dot the village's boundaries. It was in late 2018 that Deepak shifted his family from here to a bigger home in Sushant Lok 2. 'They got Rs 35-40 crore as compensation for their land. Every month, they receive Rs 15-20 lakh as rent… they were very well off financially,' claims a resident. Villagers, however, insist that Wazirabad has moved with the times. 'These days women work, they wear skirts… It's very normal. You can't control anyone today,' says 64-year-old Ramesh, a resident. 'Fifty years ago, women wouldn't even step out,' he adds. 'See for yourself, girls are roaming around the way they want… We have become modern. There are five times more tenants here than locals.' Outside his house, women wearing colourful sarees have gathered to purchase kitchen utilities. The older ones still cover their heads with veils. The younger lot wears jeans and T-shirts. 'Things are not the same as they were before,' Ramesh continues. 'A woman from here became a captain. Another is a doctor who practices in America. Three sisters who play state-level Judo and Karate also teach kids martial arts.' Puffing on a hookah, Ramesh's relative, who refused to be named, joins the conversation. 'If you speak to 50 people, they'll tell you 50 different things,' he says. 'The truth is that only the father can tell you why he (Deepak) did this. No one else can truly know what compelled him.' At the Sushant Lok residence, since the crime, around 100 people from Wazirabad have been gathering outside, from 9 am to 4.35 pm, sitting on a red and yellow carpet with a tent over their heads. They refuse to let the media speak to the family. By 5, they move inside the house. Nearby, a shopkeeper selling groceries at MKM Market says, 'He (Deepak) seemed like a decent man. He would buy his groceries from here. He stopped coming and then I heard about it (the murder) on the news. I found out that he's in jail now.' Deepak has been sent to judicial custody for two weeks.
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Assault on ‘kathavachak' in Etawah achallenge to Hindutva, says VHP chief
Lucknow: Days after a 'kathavachak' (religious storyteller) and his associate from the Yadav community were allegedly assaulted by a group of men from the upper caste in Etawah, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) international president Alok Kumar on Thursday said "the incident was no less than a challenge to the entire Hindutva and Dharma-shashtras". "We need to be cautious. Such acts by certain individuals are reprehensible," Kumar told TOI, adding that the Etawah incident was nothing short of a "concerted" attempt to incite disharmony between different sections of society. He asserted that such incidents should not intentionally be portrayed to create disharmony between the Yadavs and Brahmins. "Harmony should be maintained. The law should be maintained. And this right of all Hindus to worship, to preach, to be a pundit in a temple is inviolable and cannot be compromised," Kumar said, adding that it must be understood that no one can be stopped from preaching and reciting 'katha'. Experts said that Kumar sought to frame the incident not merely as a caste-related atrocity, but as a violation of Hinduism itself, potentially seeking to reframe the narrative from a caste conflict to one of unity under the larger Hindu fold. His emphasis on harmony and law, analysts said, reflected VHP's pointed attempt to prevent the local incident from becoming a symbol of systemic caste oppression — a narrative that could damage the image of Hindu unity, especially in the politically-sensitive Uttar Pradesh. Kumar said that the Etawah incident was highly painful. "Bhagwan to sabke hain… sab Bhagwan ke hain aur Bhagwan ne sabko saman adhikar diya hai," he said, stressing that the VHP strongly condemned the incident and demanded strict punishment for the accused as early as possible. The VHP chief said that the Yogi Adityanath govt was taking appropriate action against the accused. At the same time, he said, one needs to exercise restraint from taking political mileage from the incident. He said that 'dharma' was primarily meant to unite people and not to create divisions. "Therefore, the divide which has been created because of such incidents should be bridged." Kumar said that the VHP was already imparting six months of training to Scheduled Tribes vis-à-vis religious storytelling. "Bhagwan par unka adhik adhikar hai kyunki Bhagwan bhi apne kartavya ke liye 14 saal jungle mein rahe they…," he said, referring to Ram who spent 14 years in the forest during his exile. He further said that the VHP was also running a 'Ved Vidyalaya' in Odisha. The institution, he said, was primarily attended by women of the ST community.
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
BJP eyes Yadav support as political strategy shifts
Patna: The state BJP on Friday signalled a clear intention to widen its outreach among Yadav voters — traditionally the core base of Lalu Prasad's RJD — while continuing to consolidate its longstanding support among the upper-caste Bhumihar community. This comes amid an increasingly competitive political environment in the state with the Congress also working to regain influence. State BJP president Dilip Kumar Jaiswal made a strategic move by inducting RJD leader Ajeet Kumar Yadav from Jehanabad, along with his supporters, into the party at a function held at the BJP headquarters in Patna. Later that day, addressing an event organised by the Education Research and Development Foundation at the Bihar Industries Association hall to commemorate the 75th death anniversary of Sahajanand Saraswati, Jaiswal said, "The thoughts of Sahajanand Saraswati are more relevant in the present times. " He added, "Whether it is the central government under PM Narendra Modi or the state govt led by CM Nitish Kumar, both are advancing based on his ideas. The govt is working for the benefit of farmers." Jaiswal cited Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, who referred to Saraswati as a messiah for the oppressed, and American historian Walter Hauser, who studied his contributions. Present at the event were Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha, Rajya Sabha MP Bhim Praising Ajeet Kumar Yadav's popularity in the Magadh and Shahabad regions, Jaiswal said, "It is a matter of immense joy that he has quit the RJD and joined the BJP. This will create a new atmosphere in our favour." Without naming Lalu Prasad, Jaiswal added, "Today, nationally, the BJP has the maximum number of Yadav caste MLAs and MPs, yet some people continue to claim that the Yadavs are only with them."
News18
27-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
Katha To Caste Conflict: Brahmin Vs Yadav Turns Into Political Battle In UP's Etawah
Last Updated: What began as a religious discourse and humiliation of a Yadav narrator in a Brahmin-majority village led to mass protests, clashes with police, and a sharp political response 'First they asked about my caste. When I said I was a Yadav, they accused me of being a Dalit. Then they beat me, chopped off my hair, and shaved my head," recalled Bhagwat Katha narrator Mukut Mani Yadav, trembling after what he says was a brutal caste-based attack in Dadarapur village of Etawah. What began as a religious discourse and public humiliation of a Yadav narrator in a Brahmin-majority village has triggered a fierce backlash, leading to mass protests, violent clashes with police, and a sharp political response—sparking a fierce Brahmin vs Yadav confrontation in the heart of Uttar Pradesh. The incident took place on June 22 during a Bhagwat Katha organised at the residence of Jai Prakash Tiwari in Dadarapur village, about 35 km from Etawah town. Narrator Mukut Mani Yadav, who was invited by local priest Ram Swaroop Das, alleged that he was first asked his caste by locals. Upon learning he was a Yadav, a group of villagers allegedly assaulted him, shaved his head, and vandalized his musical instruments. A video that went viral shows the narrator's hair being cut off by youths amid loud jeers. His associate's head was also forcibly shaved. According to Mukut Mani, a female devotee was forced to rub her nose on someone's feet in an act of forced humiliation. 'They said Yadavs had no right to preach in a Brahmin village," he claimed. 'He told my wife to feed him by hand and serve him for seven days to gain punya," Jai Prakash told reporters. 'My wife got scared and informed me. When I confronted them, they left in a hurry and dropped two Aadhaar cards—one with Agnihotri and one with Yadav." His wife, Renu, added, 'We were told he was an Agnihotri. We never asked his caste after that. But his behavior during rituals was uncomfortable. He was touching inappropriately during puja." Both deny involvement in any violent act, saying that 'some boys in the village" acted on their own. इटावा के बकेवर इलाके के दान्दरपुर गांव में भागवत कथा के दौरान कथावाचक और उनके सहायकों की जाति पूछने पर पीडीए की एक जाति बताने पर, कुछ वर्चस्ववादी और प्रभुत्ववादी लोगों ने साथ अभद्र व्यवहार करते हुए उनके बाल कटवाए, नाक रगड़वाई और इलाके की शुद्धि कराई।हमारा संविधान जातिगत भेदभाव… — Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) June 23, 2025 YADAV ANGER EXPLODES On Thursday, the situation escalated dramatically when nearly 2,000 members of various Yadav organizations gathered outside Dadarapur, demanding the release of Indian Reforms Organization's national president Gagan Yadav, who was detained by police ahead of his planned protest visit. The crowd turned aggressive, blocking the Agra-Kanpur National Highway and clashing with police. According to officials, the protesters pelted stones at police vehicles, breaking windshields and injuring personnel. In response, police used force to disperse the crowd. Eyewitnesses say a Circle Officer and Inspector drew their pistols and chased protesters, with unconfirmed reports of aerial firing. 'A few people tried to incite violence. Stone pelting happened. But there was no police firing," said ASP Rural Shreeshchandra. Nineteen protesters have been detained, and search operations have been launched in four villages—Dadarapur, Ureng, Pahadpura, and Noudhana—for others involved. AKHILESH YADAV'S INTERVENTION As the protests gained traction, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav weighed in strongly, turning the incident into a political flashpoint. He met Mukut Mani and Sant Kumar in Lucknow, offered them Rs 51,000 each, and gifted them new musical instruments. He also invited them to perform a Katha at the SP headquarters. 'Prabhutvawadi seemayein langh gayi hain (supremacist limits have been crossed)," Akhilesh said. 'They shave heads, beat people, snatch instruments, and demand money. Who gives these supremacists such impunity? This is a heartless government that supports every unconstitutional act." A VILLAGE DIVIDED, A TEMPLE EMPTY Dadarapur, a village with 103 Brahmin households and a mix of Thakur and Dalit families, now resembles a fortress. Roads are barricaded, police from 12 stations are deployed, and tension hangs heavy. The temple where the Katha was held is locked. The sacred kalash lies abandoned. The event tent has been dismantled. Ram Swaroop Das, the priest who arranged the Katha, is absconding. Locals admit that caste was not discussed openly until now. 'No one knew they were Yadavs," said a villager. 'The invitation card listed him as Pandit Mukut Mani Maharaj from Vrindavan. His assistant Surdas had a family link here. That's how it came out." THE POLITICAL UNDERCURRENT While the state government has remained largely silent, the opposition has found in this a potent narrative of upper caste oppression and police bias. Dalit and OBC activists have drawn parallels to past cases where caste-based humiliation went unpunished or was institutionally inverted through FIRs against victims. 'The government must answer—how is the victim now the accused?" asked Rajeev Yadav, a protester from Mainpuri. 'Is this justice or a show of caste supremacy?" he added. With the village still tense, political temperatures rising, and no arrests of the alleged attackers, the road to justice appears uncertain. But one thing is clear: the Brahmin vs Yadav flashpoint in Dadarapur is no longer a local issue. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Akhilesh Yadav news18 specials Location : Etawah, India, India First Published: June 27, 2025, 18:39 IST News india Katha To Caste Conflict: Brahmin Vs Yadav Turns Into Political Battle In UP's Etawah
