Curly Traveller: Pune, part 11: Shaniwar Wada; the palace fort

Friday, September 7, 2012

Shaniwarwada is a palace fort, built in 1746. It was the seat of the Peshwa rulers of the Maratha Empire until 1818 when the Peshwas surrendered to the British. The fort itself was largely destroyed in 1828 by an unexplained fire, but the surviving structures are now maintained as a tourist site.

It must have been huge and very impressive, as described by various visitors from afar, in those days. Too bad, that not much has remained.

At it's peak period over 1000 people were living inside the fort, around the royal family.

One of the buildings inside the walls was 7 stories high.

The various gates in the fortified walls were meant for different people, e.g. one was for the mistress, another for the concubines.

Once inside the fortified walls these days, all is left are some ruins and a big green, garden area where people are meeting, relaxing, etc.

A part of the fort walls.

The doors were made big enough to let elephants enter. But in order to prevent attacks by or with elephants, large spikes were attached to the door at elephant-head-height, in order to stop them.

For people on foot, a little door was made inside the large doors.

The spikes; pretty impressive!

Don't know what this dome is for...

People are enjoying the quiet atmosphere, the grass and the trees. And couples try to find some private time here and there.

Details in the stonework and woodwork hint of the grandeur that once was. In the thick and high fort walls are openings for weapons or for pouring hot substances down over enemies.