Shaniwarwada built in around 1736, by Bajirao Peshwa. Shaniwarwada is locate in to the heart of Pune city. It was originally constructed for the Peshwa. It took 2 years to build. Total cost to build wada was Rs.16,120.
Bajirao (18 aug 1700 – 28 April 1740) was general of the Maratha Empire in India.

Bajirao served as Peshwa (prime minister) to fifth maratha Chatrapati (emperor) Shahu. from 1720 until his death. Bajirao was also known by the name Bajirao Ballal.

Story about How Bajirao Peshwa chose site for shaniwarwada-

There is an interesting story behind how Peshwa chose this site for this residence. Peshwa Bajirao saw an rabbit chase a fox and felt that there was something very special about the land. And decide to construct his house at that very site.

The land was purchased from many peoples including Zambres, Rangabhat chitravat, Dhekane and Kolis.
Its construction work was overseen by one Shivram Limaye Khasgiwale.
Since, its foundation stone was laid on shaniwar or ’saturday’ and because of that its known as Shaniwarwada.

Controversy and how vanish 7 floor building, shish mahal (mirror hall) in Shaniwarwada.
In 1817, the British Union Jack made way for Maratha saffron. As the Peshwa power owned in the country. That time the Pune collector was one Henry Robertson.
After some time fire broke out, here which burn each and everything. there is controversy that British people broke out the fire
there were 7th floor building which is burned in to fire.

They were also accused of making no attempts to douse the fire.  as Shaniwar wada burned for three long days. Only things remains were five gates, fortification walls, nine bastion, enclosing the entire complex, platform, foundations and shish mahal.
Shish mahal is one of the beautiful mahal which is built by mirror.  which was located in the middle of shaniwar wada .

When Peshwa Bajirao use to stand in the middle of that mahal.  his wife kashibai can see his reflection in her room. But after some time shish mahal also vanished.
The premises were then used by British as a mamledar kacheri. and later as mental asylum and prison. Later the prince of wale declared it a heritage site and had some tree planted at the site.

Post independence it converted in to tourism site.
The important buildings in the palace includes the Thorlya Rayancha Diwankhana. the court reception hall of eldest royal meaning Baji Rao I), Nachacha diwan khana (dance hall), and Juna arsa mahal (old mirror hall).
Shaniwarwada pune enrty fee, parking –
15 rupees person for indians
200 rupees per person foreigner.
50 rupees per person for light and sound show
Free for kids
Free parking
Shaniwarwada phone number-
020 26126867
Shaniwarwada address –
Shaniwar peth, pune, Maharashtra,
411030, india
Ticket booking timing
For light and sound show are;
Everyday 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Second show;
Marathi – 7:15 pm to 8:10 pm
English -8:15pm to 9:10 pm
Daily visiting hours for Shaniwarwada from Monday to Sunday 8:00am – 6:30pm

What can we see nowadays in shaniwar Wada

This historic monument built in Maratha imperial architecture. Many things are now not present, due to destroyed by fire in 1828. This building is 21 feet in a height and surrounded by 950 feet long wall. there were five big gates and nine towers constructed on this long wall. Wada is located at the mutha river’s side.

There are five main gates

1.Delhi Darwaja :-

The main entrance facing towards Delhi. This gate constructed after the death of Chhatrapati Shahu. It has strong gigantic teak doors with steel frames, fortified by long spikes, to prevent elephants from breaking open doors. The bastions flanking the gatehouse have arrow loops and machicolation chutes through which boil oil poured onto offending raiders.

The main gate have smaller size door which is dindi darwaza. For daily entrance and exit. When you will enter from the main gate you can still see some pictures which is draw on the front wall.

2.Mastani darwaja or alibahadur darwaza-

The northern wall has Mastani darwaza later it renamed as Alibahadur which was mastanis grandson. This gate or door have been used by Mastani, Bajirao Peshwa concubine, to come and go out of shaniwar Wada. This gate guarded by 10 guards.

3.Khidki darwaja-

Khidki darwaza located in east. This darawaza also known as kavathi darwaza because. This gate locate near kavethi means wood apple tree. It was guarded by 15 guards.

4.Ganesh darwaja-

Facing south east named for the Ganesh rang mahal. which is near this door. That time ladies from wada use to visit near by Kasba Ganapathi temple. The Ganesh darwaja guarded by 25 guards.

5.Jambhul darwaja or Narayan darwaja-

Jambhul darwaja or  Natakshala darwajase ud for letting in concur Ines and dancing ladies. It was later renamed as Narayan darwaja. After the gate was used to take away Peshwa Naraynraos corpse for cremation.
This gate is historic witness to Narayan Peshwas helpless cry kaka Mala vchva (help! Uncle save me!)

Nagaar khana-

Just above the dilli gate is the nagaarkhana which survived the fire. a stone staircase takes you to main gallery.  from there you can see the surrounding of city from one end to other end. There is jharokas , hall in the first floor above dilli darwaja.

Graunds floor of nagarkhana-

When you come from main gate, you come across an accient cannon. You can see some painting on wall of ground floor of nagarkhana.

Stair cases-

Stairs case made by big stones. There are lots pop stairs which take you through the various watch towers. They are  burn and are total nine in number, three on each side.  except the dilli darwajaside, which have four buruj of the Wada.

Hazari karanja(thousand fountains)-

Hazari karanji design is in the shape of a petal lotus. Each petal have sixteen jets with an eighty foot arch.  And it face marble statue of lord Ganesha surrounded by science flower garden.

Hazari Maranda was constructed for the pleasure of the infant Sawai Madhavrao Peshwa.

Mastani mahal-

After entering through the dilli darwaja and turning left.  You can  see ruin place in front of Mastani door. Which is habite by Mastani. Next to it there is goshala where the cattle is house.

Ganesh rang mahal-

Ganesh rang mahal constructed by Peshwa Balaji Bajirao. which hosted religious ceremonies, various functions and provided audience for the people. It had a huge hall. As per written records, the second floor had a Ganesh idol.
lots of people said that time hall contain lots of curtain. And there is a presence of beautiful fountains.

Chimanbaug shaniwarwada

There is garden infront of Ganesh rang mahal. This gardens name is chimanbaug.

The important buildings in the palace-

There was Thorlya Rayancha Diwankhana (the court reception hall of eldest royal, meaning Baji Rao I).  Nachacha diwankhana (dance hall), and Juna arsa mahal (old mirror hall), dadasaheb diwankhana, Madhavrao Wada.

Narayanrawncha mahal, kushabahaibatsing mahal, hastidant mahal.

homshala, amrutrao peshwa hall, godubai chowk. Gadishi jaga, dinning hall, Gauri shrine, Badami fountain, Pushkarani fountain.

servants quarters, offices, treasury, agnikund, store rooms.

grainary, record rooms, armoury, library, medicine room, jewellery rooms etc

Open apartment and round inner quadrangle-

Peshwa use this place ce for ceremonial lunches and dinner

Gauri mahal-

This inner quadrangle is use as a dinning space.  With kitchen and stores to the east and the worshiping chambers to the south east corner. The south is the Gauri mahal for the ladies.

Large reservoir-

At the peak of the Peshwa period about 1000 people leaves in Shaniwarwada.  This large reservoir would have been necessity.

Place of dudhai banglow –

There is no evidence or reference available leading to occupants of this two storied apartment

Stable for elephants and horses-

In this place Peshwa use to keep there horses and elephant ready for their immediate use. Because they frequently requir to go for battle and long journey.

Under ground tunnel-

Most of peoples said that there is underground tunnel inside this well.