Aga Khan Palace
Sultan Muhammed Shah Aga Khan III stood before the parched fields of Pune in 1892. He saw villagers starving from a severe drought that had swept through Maharashtra. The spiritual leader of the Nizari Ismaili Muslims decided to build a palace not for luxury but for survival. Construction began immediately and involved one hundred thousand people over five years. The project cost approximately 1.2 million rupees to complete. This massive effort provided wages to families who otherwise would have perished. The palace rose from the earth as an act of charity during a time of desperate need.
Mahatma Gandhi entered the palace gates on the 9th of August 1942. His wife Kasturba Gandhi and secretary Mahadev Desai followed him into captivity. They remained imprisoned there until the 6th of May 1944. British authorities detained them following the launch of the Quit India Movement. Sarojini Naidu and several others were also held within these walls during this period. The prison served as a central point for the demand to end British rule in India. The silence inside the rooms contrasted sharply with the political storm raging outside.
Kasturba Gandhi died while still detained at the palace in 1944. Her body was cremated nearby and her ashes now rest in a marble samadhi. Mahadev Desai also passed away during their captivity period within the complex. A similar octagonal structure holds his remains near hers. In 1992 a portion of Mahatma Gandhi's ashes were shifted to the same walled area. Three samadhis stand enclosed by a low wall with marble flooring today. These memorials sit near the Mula river where the family once walked.
The ground floor covers an area of 1756 square meters. The first floor spans 1080 square meters while the second floor measures 445 square meters. An Indo-Saracenic style defines the entire structure with its pediments and turrets. A corridor measuring 2.5 meters runs around the entire building. This special feature allows visitors to walk the perimeter without entering interior rooms. The palace captivates spectators with its magnificence and picturesque architecture. Photographers flock to the site for various kinds of photo shoots due to this design.
Aga Khan IV donated the property to the Indian people in 1969. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi visited the place in 1974 and allocated funds for maintenance. That sum rose to higher amounts until the 1990s after which neglect set in. Improper allocation of funds caused the national monument to deteriorate over many years. A protest held at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi occurred in July 1999 against worsening conditions. The present condition has improved quite a lot since those dark days of abandonment.
The Gandhi Museum at Aga Khan Palace spreads across six galleries today. These galleries exhibit several statues of Gandhi and others from the freedom movement. Charts and diagrams depict the history of the Quit India Movement throughout the exhibits. Martyr's Day falls on the 30th of January each year. Independence Day is celebrated on the 15th of August while Republic Day marks the 26th of January. Morning prayer sessions are held daily at the samadhi since decades ago. The number of visitors goes up threefold on the 2nd of October when people pay tribute.
Continue Browsing
Common questions
Why was the Aga Khan Palace built in 1892?
Sultan Muhammed Shah Aga Khan III constructed the palace to provide wages and food for starving villagers during a severe drought in Maharashtra. Construction involved one hundred thousand people over five years to help families survive the crisis.
When did Mahatma Gandhi enter the Aga Khan Palace as a prisoner?
Mahatma Gandhi entered the palace gates on the 9th of August 1942 following the launch of the Quit India Movement. He remained detained there until the 6th of May 1944 along with his wife Kasturba Gandhi and secretary Mahadev Desai.
Where are the samadhis located at the Aga Khan Palace today?
Three samadhis stand enclosed by a low wall with marble flooring near the Mula river where the family once walked. These memorials hold the ashes of Kasturba Gandhi, Mahadev Desai, and a portion of Mahatma Gandhi's ashes shifted there in 1992.
How many square meters does each floor of the Aga Khan Palace cover?
The ground floor covers an area of 1756 square meters while the first floor spans 1080 square meters and the second floor measures 445 square meters. An Indo-Saracenic style defines the entire structure with its pediments and turrets.
Who donated the Aga Khan Palace to the Indian people and when did this happen?
Aga Khan IV donated the property to the Indian people in 1969. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi visited the place in 1974 and allocated funds for maintenance which later rose to higher amounts until the 1990s.