Shaniwar Wada in Pune is the most magnificent and stately mansion built chiefly as the residence of the Peshwas. The foundation of the original residence was laid by Bajirao - I in 1730 A.D. and the construction completed in 1732 A.D. His successors made several additions such as fortification walls, with bastions and gates, court halls and other buildings, fountains and reservoirs in 1828 A.D.
However, fire gutted the building in this place and what now remains is their plinths and fortification wall with five gateways and nine bastions that enclosed the whole complex. Nobody knows what caused the fire. The complex had an impressive lotus-shaped fountain in the garden. The location of this can be seen in the below image (the central part near the green cover where no people are present).
The main gate of the complex known as Dilli Darwaza faces north towards Delhi. This strongly built entrance has massive doors, large enough to admit elephants outfitted seating canopies. Each door has seventy-two sharp twelve-inch steel spikes arranged in a nine by eight grid which are at the height of elephants forehead. On the right door there is a small man-sized door for usual entries and exits.
The invading army can not charge through the open main gates as there is a sharp right turn followed by a sharp left before entering into the central complex. This would provide a defending army with another chance to attack the incoming army, and to launch a counterattack to recapture the gateway.
One of the brass canons with carvings on them in the complex.
However, fire gutted the building in this place and what now remains is their plinths and fortification wall with five gateways and nine bastions that enclosed the whole complex. Nobody knows what caused the fire. The complex had an impressive lotus-shaped fountain in the garden. The location of this can be seen in the below image (the central part near the green cover where no people are present).The main gate of the complex known as Dilli Darwaza faces north towards Delhi. This strongly built entrance has massive doors, large enough to admit elephants outfitted seating canopies. Each door has seventy-two sharp twelve-inch steel spikes arranged in a nine by eight grid which are at the height of elephants forehead. On the right door there is a small man-sized door for usual entries and exits.The invading army can not charge through the open main gates as there is a sharp right turn followed by a sharp left before entering into the central complex. This would provide a defending army with another chance to attack the incoming army, and to launch a counterattack to recapture the gateway. One of the brass canons with carvings on them in the complex. 
50 comments:
Great shots of an awesome fortress! It's ironic that the cannon in the last shot is one of the things that led to the demise of fortresses like this.
Grand looking mansion..! Feel like visiting..!
Nice post.
www.rajniranjandas.blogspot.com
Looks like a solid structure.
Nice garden too!
Sharp left & sharp right to temporarily halt to enemies. Now that's called engineering!!!
Handmade Kurumba Blankets
How ironical that such a defensive building should be reduced to almost nothing by a fire!
And what a brilliant concept that this this entrance with a sharp right turn followed by a left one! So simple yet so effective!
The details about the door is very interesting and impressive the way it build to hit elephants forehead. The mansion looks strong and invades uneasily. Good snaps, brings the place brief at sight!
It actually looks better in your photographs .. no offence meant. I only mean to say that the places we visit often seem to lose their charm .. and when one sees them after a while, it looks beautiful again!!
Nice to know about the Shaniwar Wada. I have lived in pune for a year, had heard about this place but never had a chance to visit. Thanks for the informations with the complimenting lovely pictures.
Another place I love!
Wonderful place. I will definitely visit during my next India trip.
Nice writeup .
Marvelous, interesting post and terrific captures as always, Rajesh! Always enjoy your clear, blue skies and the tours you take us on around your wonderful country! Have a great weekend!
Sylvia
Great shots of the mansion.
Happy sky watching.
Skywatch
These are interesting photos. TFS!
Thanks for sharing with Sky Watch Friday, what a shame a lot of the building was lost to a fire, looks like a fabulous structure
Fascinating post!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
Very interesting place and good photographs of it.
I love the idea of elephant-sized doors.
Thanks for sharing another bits of history about India.
My Skywatch, please come and see.
Wow I can only imagine how big this building is. Great shots!
Sky Watch
no a cool place to visit ~ I was just visiting a fort here last week ~ so much history
A very interesting post indeed with the cunningly designed defences. What a pity the buildings were ravaged by fire.
amazing!!
This is a fascinating place. I find it hard to imagine attacking a fort with elephants. I know it happened, but I still find it hard to visualize.
Just magnificent!
In fact pictures prove how amazing this mansion is. Thanks for sharing your historical notes with us. Anna :)
Grand.
Great shots.
Never knew Pune had this many fantastic monuments! good job!
Very interesting. I particularly loved the second last image - that door sure looks majestic!
I think I might have seen this while driving by. It's on the way to Dagdoosheth Temple, right ?
Simply beautifully captured shots...lovely architectural beauties!
Wonderful images of this beauties!
great images of a place i have heard a lot..
http://sushmita-smile.blogspot.com/
Thank you all for appreciating the architecture of the place.
Beautiful photos of the mansion.
you really are an avid traveler aren't you? Do you always have your camera with you?
Love your shots. I'm back for MYM. Have a fabulous week.
Liz @ MLC
So beautiful!
Hope you can come and see my YELLOW post. Thank you!
You never seem to run out of fascinating ShadowShots! Wonderful!!
That main gate is massive--and impressive!
YEA FOR SCARLET
Yea for scarlet, yea for red!
Yea for summertime that’s fled
To some far-off frigid place,
Where no ruby shows its face!
© 2011 by Magical Mystical Teacher
Tired Old Apples
Visiting again for Ruby Tuesday.
Late visiting for Ruby Tuesday. You can find my entry about the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders by visiting the link. Thanks!
The solidity of old architectures are difficult to match nowadays.
Pheno
lovely pics.. and the door look big and HARD :)
Bikram's
That was one informative post!Loved the pictures, never before gave a thought as to why such huge doors were built!!
The doors of yore were majestic and this one is no exception. Nice pics and fits the theme so well.
Great shots...:-)
nice place... I was there
Majestic gates !!! Looking forward to visit this place
Thank you all for appreciation of the place.
Post a Comment