Velhe Taluka in Pune district has now officially received the new name 'Rajgad'. The historic Rajgad Fort, which was the first capital of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's Swarajya, is located in this taluka, giving the name special historical significance.
This demand had been made by local gram panchayats, district councils, and citizens for many years. Out of 70 gram panchayats in the taluka, 58 had approved a positive resolution. Additionally, on November 22, 2021, the recommendation to name it 'Rajgad' was approved in the general meeting of the Pune District Council. The resolution for the name change approved by 58 out of 70 gram panchayats in Velhe taluka and the Pune District Council was sanctioned by the Revenue Department.
After this, the Revenue Department forwarded the proposal and finally, the state cabinet approved the name change. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule confirmed this decision, and the process was expedited as per the instructions of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Now that the central government has also approved this name, Velhe Taluka will officially be known as Rajgad Taluka. The Maharashtra government's gazette will be published soon.
This area, which includes forts like Rajgad and Torna, preserves a historical heritage. Now that the taluka has been named 'Rajgad', the long-standing demand of the locals connected to their history has been realized.