Aga Khan Palace

In 1982, the Aga Khan Palace was built by Sultan Muhammed Shah Aga Khan III. The huge palace is considered to be one of the most interesting places to visit in Pune. The palace is also an important place in Indian history. It has also played important roles in historical events that contributed to India's freedom. During that time, Mahatma Gandhi, his wife Kasturba Gandhi, Sarojini Naidu, and Mahadev Desai were imprisoned as political prisoners.

The palace of Aga Khan is famous because it has beautiful architecture and important history. The palace covers a vast expanse of land, measuring around 19 acres. It is now the Gandhi National Memorial Society. The most important thing here is still making Khadi.

Is Aga Khan Palace worth visiting?

Visitors who like history and culture should not miss this place during the Pune tour package. The palace is crucial, as it played an important role during the freedom fight. The palace is the place where Mahadev Desai and Kasturba Gandhi died. Their memories are still in the palace. The place is a mix of the Italian arches and open spaces. It gives the place a calm and elegant look. The palace also has a museum that displays photographs, personal items, and letters that belonged to Gandhi. It provides a brief overview of Gandhi's struggle for freedom.

Aga Khan Palace History

Mahatma Gandhi is popularly called the "father of the nation". He has a long history with the Aga Khan Palace. The palace locked up Gandhi and his wife from 9 August to 6 May 1944. The date was right after the Quit India Movement started. Kasturba Gandhi and Mahadev Desai died in the Aga Khan Palace. Even their Samadhis are there.

In 1969, the Aga Khan gave the people of India the palace so they could remember Gandhi and his ideas. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi visited the palace in 1974. He donated Rs 20,000 every year for the maintenance. Later, the amount of maintenance increased to Rs 1,000,000 per year.

Architectural Style

Regular meetings of the Gandhi Smarak Society are held in the Aga Khan Palace complex. It features a unique combination of Italian arches and expansive lawns, making it look beautiful. The complex has five rooms.

The building has two stories. There is a corridor that is 2.5 metres wide and goes all the way around it. This is where the Gandhi National Memorial Society's main office is right now. In addition to these, the palace has so many photos and other objects that are related to the Gandhi family. In addition to that, it offers a shop that sells Khadi and other fabrics that are woven by hand.

Peaceful Surroundings

Aga Khan Palace stands out for its serene surroundings. It is one of the most appealing features of the palace. As soon as the visitors walk onto the palace grounds, they can see green lawns and tall trees. It has a peaceful atmosphere that seems worlds away from the noise and busy life of the city. While the fields are well taken care of, they offer a peaceful atmosphere to spend time around.

The soft sound of birds chirping, the gentle breeze, and the light smell of flowers all add to the calming effect. Visitors can move around the palace and its open spaces without feeling rushed or crowded because of its setup.

It is not just a historical site but a peaceful place for people to spend time. Aga Khan Palace serves as an excellent destination for those seeking a tranquil environment to unwind. Many people go there regularly to read, exercise, meditate, and enjoy their time.

Museums and Memorials

The visitors can explore the museum inside the Aga Khan Palace. It has letters and rare photos of Mahatma Gandhi, Kasturba Gandhi and Mahadev Desai. It also has their personal items providing information about them. The place shows the struggle during the freedom fight of Mahatma Gandhi. In addition to the palace, visitors can also pay their respects to the graves of Kasturba Gandhi and Mahadev Desai on the palace grounds. They passed while they were prisoners in the palace. The memorials are simple, but they give a powerful reflection on the sacrifice they made.

Visiting Information

·    The timings of the palace are from 9:30 AM until 5:30 PM. It remains closed on national holidays.

·    It is situated near the Bund Garden in Pune. Visitors can reach the place easily by cab, auto or public transport.

·    The entry fee for Indian citizens is ?5, and for foreigners, it is ?100.

·    The visitors need around 1–2 hours to explore the palace.

·    Photographers can take pictures in the majority of the areas of the palace.