Rajgad Fort in the Pune district, India

In the 17th century, this fort near the west coast of India was the capital of the Maratha Empire. The fort's hold on regional power lasted for nearly 26 years before the capital was moved to a fort of a similar name—Raigad, located a bit farther west. Today, Rajgad Fort and the spectacular views of the Pune district it affords are the reward after a long hike to the top. The fort is a sprawling relic of India’s history, and worth exploring for more than a day. Beyond its historical importance, the Pune district and its capital city is a modern educational and industrial hub; nicknamed the 'Oxford of the East,' several notable educational institutions and major businesses are located there. Much of the industrial business is automotive, so some people call Pune India’s 'Motor City.' More recently, information technology has added a third pillar to Pune’s economy.