"it can boast of the finest Governor’s palace in India, a Council Hall big enough for a Parliament of Western India instead of a dozen legislators who assembled in it three or four times a year. The new house at Ganeshkhind that was completed and occupied in 1871 overwhelmed Maclean. While the residency at Mahabaleshwar was clearly for physical comfort, to avoid the hot and sultry summer of Bombay, political expediency was undoubtedly the motivation for Elphinstone’s choice of Pune for establishing a residency. It also came with a premium, as the climate of Pune during the monsoon was "as pleasant as the English summer". Despite the inconveniences of travel and often inclement weather, Elphinstone seems to have enjoyed staying away from Mumbai and Parel for he built for himself a cottage at Malabar Point, a bungalow at Khandala and often stayed at ‘Ghorabunder’ with friends in a small but handsome building, a very cool and convenient house for this climate and commanding a magnificent view". See also Government Houses of the British Indian Empire References External links Official website for Maharashtra Raj Bhravan Satellite picture by Google Maps Governors' houses in Maharashtra Buildings and structures in Pune 1871 establishments in India Houses completed in 1871