Shaniwarwada is a historic fort in Pune city of Maharashtra, India. Built-in 1732, it was the seat of the Peshwas of the Maratha Empire until 1818. When the Peshwas lost control from the British East India Company after the Third Anglo-Maratha War. After the rise of the Maratha Empire, the palace became the center of Indian politics in the 18th century.
The fort was largely destroyed by an unexplained fire in 1828, but the remaining structures are now maintained as a tourist site.
Chhatrapati Shahu’s Prime Minister, Shrimant Peshwa Baji Rao I, laid the formal foundation of his own abode on Saturday, 10 January 1730. It was named Shaniwarwada from the Marathi words Shanivar (Saturday) and Wada (the generic term for any residence complex). Teak was imported from Junnar’s forests, stone was brought from the quarries near Chinchwad, and lime (mineral) was brought from the lime-belt of Jejuri. Shaniwara was completed in 1732, at a total cost of 1732. 16,110, a very large amount at that time.
The inauguration ceremony was performed according to religious customs, on 22 January 1732, another Saturday was chosen for a particularly auspicious day.
Later Peshwas made many additions, including the citadel walls and the gates; Court halls and other buildings; Fountains and Reservoirs. Currently, the perimeter fortress wall has five gates and nine citadel minarets, which surround a garden complex with the foundations of the original buildings. It is located in Kasba Peth, near the Mulla-Mutha River.
Map Credit : – Google Maps
Pune Places 