Aga Khan Palace, Pune

Location -  Yerwada

City - Pune

District - Pune

State - Maharashtra

Distance from Pune Railway Station - 7 km

Governing Body  - Mahatma Gandhi National Memorial Society

Year of Construction - 1892

Timing - 9 a.m to 5.30 p.m.

Closed on - National Holidays

Best time to visit -  All Seasons

Entry Fees - 

• ₹ 25 for Indians

• ₹ 100 for Non - Indians

Area -  19 acres

Built Up Area - 7 acres

Address - 

Nagar Road,

Samrat Ashok Road,

Pune - 411 006

Phone number - 020 - 26680250

Distance from Pune Railway Station - 7 km

How to reach - Via Road 

Festivals / Ocassions celebrated -

• 26 January - Republic Day

• 30 January - Martyrs Day

• February or March - Mahashivratri

• 8 March - Women's Day

• 15 August - Independence Day

• 2 October - Gandhi Jayanti

• 14 November - Children's Day 

• 22 February ( Kasturba Gandhi Death Anniversary ) - Mother's Day

Pic - Nilesh Shinde

The Great Famine of 1876 - 1878 had devastated much of India, killing millions and crippling the economy completely. The Deccan Plateau was one such region affected severely. To help the famine affected people of Pune, Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III, the spiritual leader of the Nizari Ismaili Muslims embarked upon the task of building a huge, sprawling palace in Pune so as to give employment to thousands of poor workers in those tough times. The massive palace was built on an area of 7 acres, took five years to complete and cost ₹ 12,00,000. 

                 Pic by Suraj Patil

The Aga Khan Palace is located in a serene, quaint neighborhood of Yerwada in Pune city in the state of Maharashtra. It is a 3 - storeyed building with a wide corridor going all around it. 

Pic by Pravin Gaikwad

During the 1942 Quit India Movement the imprisoned Mahatma Gandhi's health began to deteriorate and he along with his wife Kasturba Gandhi, his assistant Mahadev Desai, Sarojini Naidu, Miraben, Pyarelal Nayar and Dr. Sushila Nayar was detained in the palace. They were held here from 9 August 1942 to 6 May 1944. Unfortunately, Kasturba Gandhi and Mahadev Desai both died while in captivity. The place where they were cremated today have Tulsi plants in their eternal memory. The same way some of the Mahatma's ashes were scattered here and a memorial built for both Ba and Bapu. 

The grandson of Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan, Prince Karim Aga Khan donated the palace to the Gandhi Samarak Samitee in 1972 in honour of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. 

The palace is beautifully built with Italian arches, spacious, well manicured green lawns, plenty of trees, flowering shrubs, bushes, water fountains, a pretty grey and  red tiled roof, Islamic style architecture. The grandeur and splendor of the palace is breathtaking. 

The ground floor has been turned into a museum displaying the life of the seven inmates in those two years of imprisonment. The rooms are maintained as they were with the furniture kept in the same style, and the  personal belongings of the Mahatma like slippers, clothes, utensils, books, letters etc on display.

Pic by Adi Patil

In the grand entrance hall there is a massive statue of both Bapu and Ba. Various freedom moment photographs, black and white pictures, sculptures and statues depicting India's freedom struggle are arranged. The dining room where the seven would sit and eat is maintained and kept as it was. No changes in their rooms, decor etc have been carried out. It seems as if they have been captured in eternal timelessness. The artefacts and all personal items etc on display are cordoned off and cannot be touched. 

Pic by Dipa Roy 

The  Palace complex has the following attractions for the visitors - 

• Library

•  Children's Film Club

• A Khadi Gram Udyog Sales Outlet

• Book Stall for selling Gandhian Literature

• UNHCR Office

Trivia - The rest of the floors are not open for the public. 

Entry for female visitors is free on the occasion of Women's Day.