Shaniwar Wada (Pune) Information
Shanivar Wada information in English
Location :
This grand palace-fort, known as Shaniwar Wada, was built near the banks of the Mutha River in Pune, the cultural capital of Maharashtra. It served as the residential palace as well as the administrative headquarters of the Peshwas—the Prime Ministers of the Maratha Empire. The credit for its construction goes to the first Peshwa, Bajirao I.
• How to visit Shaniwar Wada?
Pune is an important cultural and metropolitan city of Maharashtra, well connected to all parts of India by road, rail and air. It also has an international airport.
• Shaniwar Wada is located in the Shaniwar Peth area of Pune city.
• The locality got its name because of this fort—Shaniwar Wada.
• It is located about 3.5 km from Swargate, Pune.
• Entry fee for visitors is ₹25, and the fort is open from 8 AM to 6 PM.
Places to See Inside Shaniwar Wada :
• Flag Post & Equestrian Statue of Peshwa Bajirao I :
Outside the main entrance stands the equestrian statue of the brave Peshwa Bajirao I, who created history with his unmatched military skills. In front of it stands the tall flag post where the national tricolour proudly flies.
• Fortification Walls :
As Shaniwar Wada was built in the 18th century, it is considered a relatively recent historical structure.
The fort has a massive wall—6 meters (21 feet) high and 289 meters (950 feet) long.
Before constructing this wall, Peshwa Nanasaheb sought permission from Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj.
The lower portion of the wall is made of stone while the upper section is built using strong baked bricks.
• Bastions :
There are nine strong bastions built around the fort. These were used for watchkeeping and for firing cannons during enemy attacks.
• Delhi Gate :
On the northern side of Shaniwar Wada stands the huge and majestic Delhi Gate.
It has a large arch-shaped entry with thick wooden doors reinforced with iron plates and long iron spikes to stop charging war elephants.
The gate is 21 feet high and 14 feet wide.
Since the Peshwas had a dream of conquering Delhi one day, this gate was named “Delhi Darwaza.”
A fully decorated elephant with a royal seat could easily pass through this gate.
• Other Gates :
Besides Delhi Gate, there are four other gates:
• Natakshala / Jambhul Gate
• Mastani / Ali Bahadur Gate
The gate from which the body of slain Peshwa Narayanrao was taken out is known as Narayan Gate.
• Nagarkhana (Drum House):
After entering through Delhi Gate, a flight of steps on the left leads upward.
One path takes you to the fort wall (ramparts) while another leads to the Nagarkhana.
The Nagarkhana still exhibits beautiful Peshwa-era wooden architecture.
During the fire of 1828, most structures burned down, but the Nagarkhana survived.
From the Nagarkhana, one can see the Bajirao statue, flag post, inner gardens, ruins, and the grand wooden structure itself.
• Ganesh Rangmahal (Audience Hall):
In 1755, Peshwa Nanasaheb built the Ganesh Rangmahal.
During Ganesh festival, the idol of Lord Ganesh was installed here.
The hall was so spacious that 100 dancers could perform
simultaneously.
It is also known as the Diwan-i-Aam or Diwan Hall.
• Chiman Baug (Garden):
In front of the Ganesh Rangmahal lies the beautiful Chiman Garden filled with flowering plants and fragrance.
The eight-spouted fountains (Ashta-toti) enhance its beauty.
The Hazari and Pushkarni fountains were built for the entertainment of Peshwa Sawai Madhavrao.
It was in this fountain area that Sawai Madhavrao, the seventh Peshwa, accidentally fell and died.
• Well (Baavi):
Beside the fountains is a square-shaped, stone-lined step-well.
• Residences of the Peshwas – Ruins :
Here stood the seven-storeyed palaces of Peshwa Madhavrao, Raghunathrao and Sadashivrao.
These structures were destroyed in the fire of 1828.
• Dhuddi Mahal :
Dhuddi Mahal was built by Peshwa Bajirao I for Godabai, the wife of his brother.
The ruins of residential rooms, bathing areas, basement chambers and wells can still be seen.
• Narayan Gate :
One of the most tragic events in Shaniwar Wada was the murder of Peshwa Narayanrao.
The gate through which his body was taken away is called Narayan Gate.
• Mughal-Style Paintings :
Many walls inside the fort once displayed beautiful paintings—
• Lord Ganesh
• Lord Vishnu resting on Sheshnag
• Scenes from the Mahabharata war
Many of these have now deteriorated.
• Water System :
During the Peshwa era, water scarcity was a major problem.
Hence, water from the Katraj Lake was brought through underground channels.
A storage tank was also built inside the fort
Historical Events of Shaniwar Wada :
• Foundation laid on 10 January 1730 by Peshwa Bajirao I.
• Construction completed on 22 January 1732. Since both days were Saturdays, the fort was named Shaniwar Wada.
• Total construction cost: ₹16,120.
• In 1755, Peshwa Nanasaheb built the Ganesh Rangmahal and extended fortification.
• Several Peshwas—Bajirao I, Nanasaheb, Madhavrao, Sawai Madhavrao—ruled the Maratha Empire from here.
• Assassination of Peshwa Narayanrao :
After the death of Madhavrao (who had no children), his younger brother Narayanrao became Peshwa.
But his aunt Anandibai and uncle Raghunathrao conspired and got him killed by the palace guards (Gardi).
Many people claim that at night, a faint voice saying “Kaka, save me!” can still be heard.
Others consider it a myth.
Further Historical Developments :
• After Narayanrao’s death, the Barbhai Council placed his newborn son on the throne, and Nana Fadnavis managed the administration.
• Raghunathrao sought help from the British, leading to the Anglo-Maratha Wars.
• On 17 November 1817, the British captured Shaniwar Wada and ended Peshwa rule.
• During British rule, it was used as a collector’s residence, police quarters and even a jail.
• In 1828, a devastating fire destroyed almost everything except the Nagarkhana.
• For the next 90 years, the fort lay in ruins.
• In 1919, it was declared a National Protected Monument.
• In 1923, old British-era court buildings were removed during excavation.
• In 1924, builders of Shivaji Bridge (then Lord Ease Pool) erected a Maruti temple inside the fort.
• After India’s independence in 1947, Shaniwar Wada came under Government of India.
Today, Pune Municipal Corporation maintains it.
This is the complete historical information about Shaniwar Wada.
