 |
| Shaniwar Wada Main Entrance @ wikipedia |
Introduction
Shaniwar Wada is an old fort and palace in Pune city
which is situated in the center of Maharashtra. In the 18 th century, it was
the center of political and administrative authority of the Maratha Empire. It
was Peshawaraj Bajirao who was the first person to construct this fort that
turned out to be a representation of the Maratha might. The Saturday Wada was
once filled with opulent palaces, meeting rooms and gardens and works of art
but the location is in ruins these days though its grandeur remains to be heard
to date about the past and tradition.
 |
| Gardens of Shaniwar Wada @ wikipedia |
Location
Shaniwar Wada is situated in the center of the Pune city
in Maharashtra in India. It is constructed right in the vicinity of River
Mutha, Kasba Peth. It happens to be one of the major and the most popular of
all tourist spots of the historical architectural monuments of Pune. It is also
easy to access this area nowadays, and it is at a very short distance of Pune
railway station and airport. There are buses, taxis, auto rickshaws and
personal cars readily accessible. On Saturday a combination of traditional
markets, temples and modern city life of Pune was observed about the Wada which
was an excellent occasion to know the local culture in addition to the tours of
the historical places.
 |
| Narayan Gate Information Plaque, Shaniwar Wada @ wikipedia |
Architectural features
In architecture of Shaniwar Wada royal palace
of the Maratha Empire, the rare mixture of Marathi, Mughal and Rajput art
styles can be traced. It started to be built out of stone and brick, with wood
being applied in other sections later. The Gateway (Delhi Gate) It has the
north side as its main entrance which is referred to as the Deli Darwaza. The
iron gates were so many and so great that even elephant could not take them
down easily. The Inner Palace: There were numerous buildings, palace rooms,
balconies, meeting rooms and living quarters of women, inside. On the walls of
the palace there are fine wood cuts, color.
 |
| Shaniwar Wada palace fountain, the Hazari Karanje @ wikipedia |
 |
Jharokhas at the Shaniwar wada.@ wikipedia |
The history
Shaniwar
Wada was started in the onset of the 18 th century. This palace was first
ordered by Peshaw Bajirao in 1730 and it was finished in the year 1732. It received
its initial use as a home and seat of government of the Peshawas family.
Originally it was also to be constructed using entirely different material,
like stone palace, however, as the Mughal emperor was denied the mandate, the
principal structure was constructed using the bricks and wood. New and big
gates, royal gardens, fountains and works of art were afterwards added to it.
And Wada was the capital of politics and culture of the Maratha Empire. This
headquarters took part in making many momentous war and administrative
decisions. In 1828, however, a great fire burnt a large part of the palace.
Only the fort walls, gates and a few ruins are left today which is the major
attraction to tourists.
.jpg) |
| Statue of Bajirao I @ wikipedia |
Conclusion
Shaniwar
Wada is a breathtaking architectural structure, it is a breathing passage of
the strength, society and heritage of the Maratha Empire. This site is a palace
that can be applied to the glorious history of the 18 th century that Peshwas
had embraced. Several parts of it have been gutted and scattered into ashes due
to fire and passage of time, but the leftovers of the walls, floors, and roomy
areas are what the visitors can experience to get an impression of that
magnificent time. It is an attraction in the modern world, which is not related
to history lovers only, but to every tourist on a regular basis, and a lesson
that we should inquire to protect and preserve our heritage.
