PUNE :: Traditional Headgear Horizontal

In ancient India, Pagdis differed on the basis of one’s status. Bring the spirit of Pune City into your home with these Caricatures of Traditional Headgear of different communities of Pune.

Mavala / Mawali / Mavli Pagdi- The pagdis worn by the mavalas (Shivaji Maharaj’s comrades were pointed to the sides and flat from the top. This protected their faces from thick branches and thorns while walking through dense forests during wars.

Puneri/Peshwa Pagdi - The pagadi was introduced in the 19th century by Mahadev Govind Ranade, a social reformer. Later, it was worn by many leaders like Lokmanya Tilak. The Puneri Pagadi is a distinctive style of turban, which is considered as a symbol of pride and honor in the city of Pune.

Kolhapuri Pheta - Commonly worn in ceremonies such as weddings, festive, cultural and religious celebrations. This Pheta is usually long cloth in Saffron colour (to indicate valour) and with a distinct gold border.

ABOUT PUNE

PUNE - a city in Maharashtra, India nestled on the Deccan Plateau on top of the Sahyadri Range of the Western Ghats is known by many monikers - Cultural City, Oxford of the East, Cradle of Military Leadership, Automobile & IT Hub! It became an important part of the struggle against the Mughals with Chattarapati Shivaji’s leadership. Later under Peshwa Rule the Maratha Empire spread far and wide over the Indian Subcontinent.

The Swarajya struggle against the British Empire was later led by Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Lokmanya Tilak and others making Pune an important part of the Freedom Struggle. Many Social Movements for Girl’s education, Widow Remarriage and Equality were led by Jyotiba & Savitribai Phule, Dhondu Keshav Karve and Agarkar. Pune continues to be a center of many political and social movements to this day with its many civic conscious citizens and NGOs.

From the 1960s Pune and its twin township of Pimpri-Chinchwad became an important Industrial Center in India, especially around the Automobile Industry. It continues to be an Auto Hub with many of the Indian and international Auto Majors having their presence. Since the 1990s, Pune also emerged as an important center for the Information Technology industry.