Saswad

History

Saswad is a place with long history.It was on the ancient trade route connecting the coastal Konkan ports to the Deccan interiors.Being on a trade route also made it a center for Buddhist Monasteries. The samadhi or the resting place of the 13th century varkari sant Sopan is located in the town.The annual Alandi to Pandharpur Wari of Dnyaneshwar Palkhi makes a halt in the town. In recent centuries it was known as the town at the foot of the historic Purandar fort.The first Peshwa from the Bhat family, Balaji Vishwanath had his base in the town. His son, Bajirao I moved his base in 1720 to nearby Pune and turned that place into a large city.During the 18th century, Saswad was the seat of Purandare family, hereditary knights of the Peshwa.The family's palatial mansion,now crumbling, was an imposing sight during the late peshwa era

In the 20th century, Aacharya Atre, the eminent Socialist leader, Marathi Writer and Filmmaker was born here. He was one of the Leaders of the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement.His series of books on the Movement. viz. Karheche Pani कऱ्हेचे पाणी created Undisputed Place in the History of Marathi Language.

Geography

Saswad is located at average elevation of 1000 metres.

As of 2011Saswad had a population of 1,31,821. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Saswad has an average literacy rate of 85%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 90%, and female literacy is 80%. In Saswad, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

About Saswad

Given its proximity to Pune, Saswad may become part of Pune metropolitan area.The town is just 25 km away from Pune city and 20 minutes from Hadapsar.The Eotte (Royal Purandar) city which is under construction is just 10 km from Saswad and Magarpatta City, Amannora Tower City are 25 km from Saswad. Saswad is a well developed city. There are many apartments,shopping complex,planned society's are built. Saswad is the base for visitors to nearby Khandoba temple at Jejuri ,the ek-mukhi Datta temple atNarayanpur and the historic Purandar fort- it is also mentioned as the residence of Peshwa Bajirao in the tv soap Peshwa Bajirao

Public transport

Saswad city has Pune city buses (PMPML). Saswad has its own ST depot which is the 3rd largest depot in Pune after Swargate and Shivajinagar. Pune railway station is just 40 min away from Saswad. Pune airport is 50-60 min(via Kharadi bypass) away from Saswad. In 2013 railway budget decide to start railway(Local) to Saswad.

PMPML (PMT)

Many buses of PMT are running from different area of Pune to Saswad. Hadapsar - Saswad running by every 10 min, Swargate - Saswad running by every 25 min. Before few years ago from Saswad- Pune station & Saswad- Alandi these buses also available but due to less no. of buses these routes are temporarily stopped but there are chances to start it again. Pune Municipal Corporation Pune station- Saswad, Swargate- Kondhawa- Saswad, Katraj- Saswad are proposed buses starting in few days..

Saswad Colleges and Schools

Waghire college- Saswad, Purandar college- Saswad, kanya prashala- Saswad, shivaji D'ed college- Saswad, M.E.S waghire high school- Saswad, Purandar high school- Saswad, Shivaji English Medium- Saswad, gurukul primary school- Saswad, Bachpan primary school- Saswad, st. Josef English medium- Saswad, 8 municipal high schools- Saswad, purandar engineering college- Saswad, ITI- Saswad, sheth raghunath sabale college of Pharmacy- Saswad, Annasaheb magar college- Hadapsar, JSPM college- Hadapsar, Sadhana high school- Hadapsar, KJ institute- Kondhawa(saswad rd), Trinity Institute- Kondhawa(saswad rd), Sinhgad city school- Kondhawa(Saswad rd),

Industry

Due to improvement in transport, many (Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation) industrial parks (MIDC) around Pune (Pimpri-Chinchwad MIDC, Chakan MIDC, Nagar Road MIDC and Jejuri MIDC) have become close enough for commuting from Saswad.