With its many shops, Ravivar peth used to be considered the commercial hub of the city. In the Peth's Moti chowk there were many old establishments. Its lanes like saraf aali was lined by goldsmiths and jewellers dealing in gold, pearls and precious stones. Shops selling copper and brass utensils, ironware and steel were also common. The area had wide roads and at places was lined by stone pavements.

In the commercial area though many of its roads were narrow. Sellers of spices like garlic, chillies and onions would gather on the pavement to sell their wares. In order to cater to the needs of the residents, a water tank with a large storage capacity was built in the area. The major landmarks in Ravivar Peth included the Sardar Phadke's imposing wada which contained within it seven courtyards (saatchowki wada), a Bohri Jamatkhana, Sardar Ghorpade's wada and the Someshwar temple. Ravivar Peth was also known by the names Aaditwar peth and Malkapura. In an account of Pune dating back to 1868, Ravivar peth has been described as follows: ``It was only when the initiative was taken by Vyavahare and Joshi that Ravivar Peth began to flourish.

Residential areas were established and trade prospered. One feature peculiar to Ravivar peth was its money lenders who were involved in business that stretched from Kashi to Rameshwar.'' sanjay godbole