If there is one city that takes pride in its history and legacy, it is Pune. A monument that contributes in maintaining this essence is the Shaniwar Wada History and other facts associated with this 286-year-old fort we all know as Shaniwarwada.

Table of Contents

Shaniwar Wada Pune fort reminds us of the valor of Marathas. This fort was built after Baji Rao and Kashi’s marriage. It was constructed in 1732 on 625 acres of land and was the capital building of the Maratha Empire.

Shaniwar Wada History

Shaniwar Wada Pune is known for its beauty, and its history is etched in blood. It is known for some brutal murders that began in 1732. This year saw the untimely death of Peshwa Bajirao I. The elder son of Bajirao Nansaheb took the throne. When Nanasaheb passed away,y his son Vishwas Rao took over. This angered Raghunath Rao who was the younger son of Nanasaheb.

Vishwas Rao passed away in the third war of Panipat, and Nanasaheb Madhavrao became the Peshwa. He was the youngest peshwa at 17. As he was not an adult, his uncle, Raghunath Rao, took charge. Annadibai, who was the wife of Raghunath Rao always desired the throne for her husband and took help from Gardis to kill the Peshwa.

The bloodiest day in Shaniwar Wada history came on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi. The Gardis mercilessly killed Nanasaheb Madhavrao, and his uncle Raghoba also remained silent. His remains were thrown away into the river.

The third Anglo Maratha War in 1818 brought an end to the eventful Shaniwar Wada history. It was taken over by the British, and a fire on February 27, 1828, brought an end to the legacy of Shaniwar Wada.

Shaniwar Wada Haunted Story

Shaniwar Wada haunted story also makes rounds always. It is said that paranormal activities can be felt here on new moon nights. It is said that the spirit of Narayan Rao moves around and pleads to his uncle to save him from Gardis. People say that they have heard his shrieks for help, and entry into Shaniwar Wada is prohibited after 6:30 in the evening, even today.

Photo by Aditya Gurav on Unsplash

Shaniwarwada Pune Architecture

The imprint of Maratha architecture is evident in Shaniwar Wada history too. It was also influenced by the Mughal and Persian styles. Initially, desired to be a seven-floor structure, but it turned out to be a stone structure.

Infact, Shaniwar Wada is known for its big stone walls that are five metres high and three metres in thickness. Shaniwar Wada has five main gates and the first one of these is Dilli Darwaza. This gate faces North and has beautiful designs. It also has spikes, which were originally intended to offer protection from Elephants.

The second gate is Mastani Darwaza and is also known as Alibahadur Darwaza. This entrance is named after the second wife of Peshwa Baji Rao, Mastani. She used this gate to enter and leave Shaniwar Wada.

The third one is Khirki Darwaza, which has a design like a window and is used for checking outside activities from inside. Ganesh Darwaza, the fourth one, was used by the royal women to visit the Kasba Ganpati temple. The last one is the Narayan Darwaza and is also known as Jambuk Darwaza. It is said that the body of Peshwa Narayan Rao was taken out from this Darwaza only.

Shaniwar Wada also hosts cultural events, has a light and sound show, and a lotus-shaped fountain named Hazari Karanje, which adds to the beauty of Shaniwar Wada.