Shaniwar Wada, a well-known 18th-century fortification in the heart of Pune, has quietly watched the city change over the years. It was commissioned by Peshwa Bajirao I in 1730 and finished in 1732. Combining Maratha, Mughal, and Persian architectural elements, it was the center of Peshwa authority and a striking example of Maratha architectural creativity and, at one point, its imposing walls and grand gateways echoed with the vitality of an empire.
Originally planned as a grand seven-story stone palace, the plan was modified as it was opposed by none other than Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, who feared that its defensive might could be counter-productive in the event of its capture. In its place came a sprawling five-acre complex that had a stone foundation with bricks forming the middle stories, and teak-wood being used extensively in the upper levels. In its prime, the Wada featured the formidable “Delhi Darwaza” with its plainly obvious elephant-deterring spikes, besides four other distinct gates, and impressive fortifications that were later added by Nanasaheb Peshwa. Within the compound, the famous Hazari Karanje or a “thousand-spout fountain”, enchanted visitors with its mesmerizing display of water flows. The palace complex boasted ornate gardens like Chimanbaug, ceremonial halls adorned with mirrors and ivory, specialised courtyards, murals by Rajasthani artists, and intricate teak woodwork, and could easily accommodate over a thousand people daily.
Destiny seemed to have other plans though. A devastating and unexplained fire in 1828 consumed the wooden upper stories, forever altering the Wada’s destiny. What remains are the massive stone walls, the footprints of grand halls, and majestic gateways, ruins that indicate a once-flourishing centre of the Maratha Empire. A single event transitioned Shaniwar Wada from a symbol of power to a relic of heritage.
Despite the original devastation and the change brought by time, part of which is the immense change the city has witnessed, Shanivar Wada remains a potent symbol and a pillar of Pune’s collective memory. Once the Peshwas’ opulent residence, it now serves as a silent yet moving reminder of Maratha architecture and its once political might. The imposing “Delhi Darwaza”, the main gate, still seems to greet visitors as they approach it. Stories of royal processions, courtly rites, and busy daily life are etched in every inch of the fort’s quiet courtyards and the bare remnants of once-ornate buildings. It takes more than a lay sense of recreation to mentally recreate the original architectural splendor, much of which has been destroyed by fire and the passage of time.
Cut to the present: the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has been instrumental in conserving the site, undertaking careful preservation work such as mural restorations, which by itself provides fragmented yet valuable glimpses into the visual and artistic culture of 18th-century Pune. That said, Shaniwar Wada continues to grapple with the challenges of modern urban life— air pollution, noise, infrastructural encroachment, and declining public engagement. These factors raise urgent questions about the site’s ongoing cultural relevance and the responsibilities of heritage conservation in contemporary Indian cities.
The juxtaposition of historical ruins with modern sprawl prompts critical reflection on how we can integrate heritage within contemporary urban life without diminishing its value. Shaniwar Wada’s story is a vital case study. Sensitively managed heritage can foster civic pride, offer cultural continuity, and inform sustainable urban practices. Its weathered stones stand as enduring reminders of the delicate balance between preserving memory and building the future.