In central Pune, Shaniwar Wada is a historic fortified palace complex that once served as the seat of the Peshwas, prime ministers of the Maratha Empire. Today, its massive Delhi Gate, surviving walls, foundations and lush lawns host light-and-sound shows and cultural events, giving visitors a sense of old Maratha court life in the heart of a modern IT city.
About this place
History & highlights
Construction of Shaniwar Wada began in 1730 under Peshwa Baji Rao I, symbolising Pune’s rise as the de facto capital of the Marathas. Later Peshwas expanded it with halls, fountains and living quarters, making it the political nerve centre of western India until the early 1800s. A major fire in 1828 destroyed much of the interior wooden structures, leaving mainly the stone ramparts and gateways. Under the British and then independent India it became a protected monument; now it stands as a reminder of Maratha power and the city’s transformation from royal capital to education and tech hub.
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