Vishrambaug Wada
Encyclopedia
Vishrambaag Wada a fine mansion situated at central Pune's Thorale Bajirao Road,was the luxurious residence of Peshwa
ajirao II], the last Peshwa of Maratha confederacy, in early seventeenth century. The 20,000 sq. ft. wada
presently houses a post office on its ground floor, a few other offices of the municipal corporation and a small museum of Maratha artefacts put together by noted Maratha historian, Babasaheb Purandare
. This structure is famous for its fine entrance and the balcony with carved woodwork.
. It took six years to complete the construction. Bajirao II preferred this residence to the ill-fated Shaniwar Wada
, the citadel of the Peshwas. Bajirao II stayed here for eleven years after which he was arrested by the British and detained in Bithur near Kanpur. His wife, Varanasibai, continued to stay here for a while before joining him in Bithur. Soon the British took over Pune.
In 1821, a sanskrit
school was started in Vishrambaag Wada, in a move to bringing education to the masses. Government Engineering College, Deccan College
, Pune University and Agricultural University started out in the wada premises. In 1871, the eastern wing of the wada was entirely destroyed in a fire.
In 1930, the Pune Municipal Corporation
(PMC) bought the property from the British government
for a sum of Rs 1 lakh. Till 1959, the PMC operated out of Vishrambaag Wada, and several PMC department offices were based in the wada till 2003.
According to PMC’s heritage cell chief Shyam Dhavale, the bricks matching those used in the original wada, are specially being recreated. And so are some of the windows, wooden pillars and motifs.
Red tiles on the sloping roof and the courtyard—a typical feature of Maratha architecture—will be retained.
As of 2004, have been spent on the restoration work.
Peshwa
A Peshwa is the titular equivalent of a modern Prime Minister. Emporer Shivaji created the Peshwa designation in order to more effectively delegate administrative duties during the growth of the Maratha Empire. Prior to 1749, Peshwas held office for 8-9 years and controlled the Maratha army...
ajirao II], the last Peshwa of Maratha confederacy, in early seventeenth century. The 20,000 sq. ft. wada
Wada (house)
Wada is a traditional mansion typically in the western part of India.-Examples:* Mangalgad in Dudhanewadi* The wada at Menawali* Shaniwar Wada in Pune, Maharashtra* Vishrambaug Wada in Pune*Raste wada...
presently houses a post office on its ground floor, a few other offices of the municipal corporation and a small museum of Maratha artefacts put together by noted Maratha historian, Babasaheb Purandare
Babasaheb Purandare
Balwant Moreshwar Purandare , popularly known as Shivshahir Babasaheb Purandare is a historian, writer and theatre personality from Maharashtra, India. His works are mostly based on the events related to the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj...
. This structure is famous for its fine entrance and the balcony with carved woodwork.
History
Vishrambaag Wada was built in 1807 AD at the price of Rs 3.5 lakhLakh
A lakh is a unit in the Indian numbering system equal to one hundred thousand . It is widely used both in official and other contexts in Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and is often used in Indian English.-Usage:...
. It took six years to complete the construction. Bajirao II preferred this residence to the ill-fated Shaniwar Wada
Shaniwar Wada
Shaniwarwada is a palace fort in the city of Pune in Maharashtra, India. Built in 1736, it was the seat of the Peshwa rulers of the Maratha Empire until 1818 when the Peshwas surrendered to the British...
, the citadel of the Peshwas. Bajirao II stayed here for eleven years after which he was arrested by the British and detained in Bithur near Kanpur. His wife, Varanasibai, continued to stay here for a while before joining him in Bithur. Soon the British took over Pune.
In 1821, a sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
school was started in Vishrambaag Wada, in a move to bringing education to the masses. Government Engineering College, Deccan College
Deccan College (Pune)
Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute is a post-graduate institute of Archeology and Linguistics in Pune, India.Established October 6, 1821, Deccan College is one of the oldest institutions of modern learning in India...
, Pune University and Agricultural University started out in the wada premises. In 1871, the eastern wing of the wada was entirely destroyed in a fire.
In 1930, the Pune Municipal Corporation
Pune Municipal Corporation
The Pune Municipal Corporation was established on 15 February 1950. The PMC controls the whole administration of Pune. The executive power of the corporation is vested in the Municipal Commissioner, an Indian Administrative Service officer appointed by the Maharashtra state government...
(PMC) bought the property from the British government
British Raj
British Raj was the British rule in the Indian subcontinent between 1858 and 1947; The term can also refer to the period of dominion...
for a sum of Rs 1 lakh. Till 1959, the PMC operated out of Vishrambaag Wada, and several PMC department offices were based in the wada till 2003.
Restoration
The PMC has undertaken the restoration work of Vishrambaag Wada under the Heritage Corridor Plan. The conservation is set to be carried out in three phases, starting with the double storeyed mansion where the Peshwa is said to have lived with a battery of 123 servants.According to PMC’s heritage cell chief Shyam Dhavale, the bricks matching those used in the original wada, are specially being recreated. And so are some of the windows, wooden pillars and motifs.
Red tiles on the sloping roof and the courtyard—a typical feature of Maratha architecture—will be retained.
As of 2004, have been spent on the restoration work.