Pune, formerly known by the English spelling Poona, is a city located in the state of Maharashtra on the Deccan Plateau in Western India. It serves as the administrative headquarters for both the Pune district and the Pune division. While it is the largest city in Maharashtra by land area, covering 516.18 km2, it ranks second to Mumbai in terms of population.
The city is a major component of the Pune Metropolitan Region and was home to approximately 7.2 million residents as of the 2011 Census of India. It is recognized as one of the largest information technology hubs in the country, as well as a primary center for manufacturing and the automobile industry.
Pune is frequently referred to as the "Oxford of the East" due to its numerous educational institutions. Additionally, the city has been ranked as the most liveable city in India on several occasions.