Photograph of the Peshwa's Palace in Pune (Poona) - 1860, Maharashtra, by an unknown photographer, from an album of 40 prints taken in the 1860s. In the centre of the old city of Pune, the imposing walls of the Shaniwarwada palace is all that is left of the royal residence of the Peshwas. The palace, founded by Peshwa Baji Rao I in the 1730s, was burnt down in unclear circumstances in 1827. Pune was the capital of the powerful state of the Marathas from the 16th century. The Brahmin Peshwas were the Prime Ministers of the Maratha rulers but the post was hereditary and power passed to the Peshwa family who controlled Pune from the 18th century until the arrival of the British. The view looks towards the entrance gatehouse and outer walls of the palace, with a vegetable market on the open space in the foreground.
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This print, taken by an unknown photographer in the 1860s, shows the gateway to Peshwar's Palace and fruit market outside at Pune. Built in 1736 by Baji Rao, the Shanwar Wada or Saturday Palace served as an imposing residence for the Peshwa, with guesthouses, gardens and fountains until it was gutted by fire on several occasions in 1791, 1812 and 1828. The Delhi Gate formed the principal entrance to the palace. The teak doors are studded with 12-inch long elephant spikes. From the balcony in the centre of the two bastions Peshwa Madhave Rao Narayan fell to his death in 1796. Also here in 1773 the young Peshwa Narayan Rao was murdered by his guards.
Photograph of the Peshwa's Palace in Pune (Poona) - 1860, Maharashtra, by an unknown photographer, from an album of 40 prints taken in the 1860s. In the centre of the old city of Pune, the imposing walls of the Shaniwarwada palace is all that is left of the royal residence of the Peshwas. The palace, founded by Peshwa Baji Rao I in the 1730s, was burnt down in unclear circumstances in 1827. Pune was the capital of the powerful state of the Marathas from the 16th century. The Brahmin Peshwas were the Prime Ministers of the Maratha rulers but the post was hereditary and power passed to the Peshwa family who controlled Pune from the 18th century until the arrival of the British. The view looks towards the entrance gatehouse and outer walls of the palace, with a vegetable market on the open space in the foreground.
Text and image credit:
Copyright © The British Library Board See less
