Shaniwarwada
Blazing in the summer sun, inside the heart of Pune City stands the ruins of the majestic fort, Shaniwar Wada. Located on the banks of a dry river, this fort belongs to an important chapter in the history of the Maratha.
Amidst all the traffic and noise of modern-day Pune, the fort stands out as a living testimony of Peshwas. The construction was completed in 1745 and served as a residence to ruling Peshwas till their defeat by the British in 1818. Peshwa Bajirao laid the foundation of the fort on Saturday, January 10, 1730, and, hence, the name ‘Shaniwar Wada’ – Shaniwar meaning Saturday and Wada means ‘residence’.
Peshwa Bajirao I, choose this place as the headquarters of the Peshwas, which was later transferred to Peshwa Balaji Bajirao, fondly referred to as Nanasaheb Peshwa.
- As his eldest son, Vishwasrao, died during the third battle of Panipat. Madhavrao succeeded as the 4th Peshwa of the Marathas.
- In 1772, Madhavrao’s youngest son, Narayanrao, at the age of 17, became the ruling Peshwa.
On the last day of Ganesh Chaturthi, 30th August 1773, several Gardi/ guards entered Shaniwarwada & charged towards Peshwa’s chambers. The Peshwa ran out of his chambers shouting, “Kaka Mala Vachva” (Uncle Save me”). The Gardis eventually followed Narayanrao and killed him inside his uncle’s chamber. These stories still haunts Shaniwarwada.