Jayakar became its first Vice-Chancellor. B. G. Kher, Chief Minister and Education Minister of the government of Bombay, helped ensure the university received a large allocation of land for their campus. In early 1950, the university was allocated over 411 acres (1.7 km²).[3]
The University of Pune (earlier name) was renamed as Savitribai Phule Pune University on 9 November 2014[8] in the honor o
f Savitribai Phule who was an Indian social reformer who played an important role in improving women's rights in India during British rule. She founded the first women's school at Pune in 1848. "The University stands for humanism and tolerance, for reason, for adventure of ideas and for the search of truth. It stands for the forward march of the human race towards even higher objectives. If the universities discharge their duties adequately then it is well with the nation and the people." —Jawaharlal Nehru (first prime minister of India)
During 1949, there were only 18 colleges affiliated to the university, with an enrollment of over 8000 students. Thereafter, the number of colleges increased. In 1994-95, the university had 41 post-graduate departments, 209 affiliated colleges and 118 recognized research institutions, with an enrollment of 170,000 students for the under-graduate and post-graduate courses. Its location has historical significance. Some incidents of the Battle of Khadki, during the Third Anglo-Maratha War, took place where the present-day university is located. The present-day main building was built in 1864 and was known as the Governor's House. The university is home to IUCAA, an institute for astronomy.
