A PALACE & A PRISON
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One of Pune’s must-visit places, Aga Khan Palace in Kalyani Nagar, stands today to tell the tale of generosity and kindness and a few pages from the history of the Indian Freedom struggle. This sprawling palace was constructed by Sultan Muhammed Shah Aga Khan III in 1892, employed the villagers in the famine-struck areas surrounding Pune. Around 1,000 workers were involved in the construction of the palace for five years.
However, this building is more famously associated with common knowledge as Mahatma Gandhi and his wife were under house arrest. Standing tall on 19 acres of land, this magnificent monument has witnessed significant events from India’s Freedom struggle.
History
The history of Aga Khan Palace is directly linked to the country’s Freedom movement as Mahatma Gandhi and a few of his followers were imprisoned here soon after the launch of the Quit India Movement. Gandhi and others were brought to this mansion under the Defense of India Rules on 8th August 1942 and were imprisoned here for almost two years before being released on 6th May 1944.
It was here that Mahadev Desai and Kasturba Gandhi breathed their last within the palace’s premises. The celebrated architect Charles Correa built their Samadhis and placed them inside the mansion, now a monument of national importance.
One of the reasons why Aga Khan Palace finds mentioned in India’s history is because it was indeed here that Mahatma Gandhi hoisted the earlier version of the Indian flag on 26th January, 1943, as well as 1944.
After Independence
The palace is among the major architectural and historical delights as it has witnessed some of the most pivotal events in India’s Freedom Movement. In 1969, Aga Khan dedicated the palace to the Indian people as a gesture of respect for Gandhi’s ideal.
Thereon, India’s national monument remained abandoned for many years due to faulty funding distribution. In July 1999, a demonstration was organized near the Pune train station to protest the monument’s deteriorating state. The current situation has vastly improved.
Architecture
The architecture of Aga Khan Palace is a mix of Indo-Saracenic and European styles and today stands to narrate the tales from the five large halls wherein Gandhiji and his fellow freedom fighters resided during the house arrest.
As you enter the first hall, two life-size statues of Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba Gandhi greets you along with other Freedom fighters, and several paintings depicting the different stages of freedom struggle.
The second hall depicts Gandhi’s philosophy of 'Unto the Last'. Deeply inspired by John Ruskin’s book Unto This Last he developed a philosophy of 'antyodaya' or the uplift of all, is reflected in the statue of Gandhi lifting a kid.
The third hall was used by Sarojini Naidu during their house arrest. A round table occupies the centre of the room, and the walls of this hall display paintings, photographs, and news clippings from the pre-independence era. You will also find portraits of Aga Khan III and IV to your right when you enter the room.
The fourth hall housed Mahadev Desai, who passed away within a few days of his arrest. A big wooden board hangs on the wall, which has spelled the circumstances leading to Mahadev Desai’s death, along with articles used by Gandhi and Kasturba Gandhi. One of the rooms in the fourth also housed Gandhi and his wife.
It was also here that Kasturba Gandhi breathed her last. Although not open to the public, the fifth hall has portraits of Gandhi and his wife as well as their personal belongings, which are visible through the glass door blocking the entrance.
The fifth hall has served as the officer of Dr. Glider and Shree Pyarelal Nayyar. This hall is not open to the public.
Later Additions
The palace also has the samadhis of Kasturba and Mahadev Desai. To the right of these memorials lies the ashes of Gandhi in a separate tomb. While Gandhiji was cremated at Raj Ghat in New Delhi, his ashes are said to have been brought here later and have been kept here since then.
Aga Khan Palace: Now
Today, the Aga Khan Palace is the headquarters of the Gandhi National Memorial Society. There is a shop inside the premises of the national monument where clothing made of handloom textiles and khadi are sold as mementos. Khadi making is still one of the main activities carried out at the palace.
However, not just a symbol of Indian Independence, Aga Khan Palace photo shoots are quite popular among newly married couples who come here for their pre-wedding or post-wedding shoots, and the architecture of the Aga Khan Palace humbly explains why.
Prayer sessions are also held at Gandhiji’s Samadhi every morning. A large number of people attend the prayer session, and it is quite a remarkable experience.
On Gandhi Jayanti, the footfall is double, with people coming in from different corners of the world to pay respect to the Father of the Nation and a martyr. The day of his assassination, 30th of January, is commemorated as Martyrs Day in honour of Mahatma Gandhi and other Freedom fighters who gave their lives to free us from the British Raj.
Thereon, India’s national monument remained abandoned for many years due to faulty funding distribution. In July 1999, a demonstration was organized near the Pune train station to protest the monument’s deteriorating state. The current situation has vastly improved.
Architecture
The architecture of Aga Khan Palace is a mix of Indo-Saracenic and European styles and today stands to narrate the tales from the five large halls wherein Gandhiji and his fellow freedom fighters resided during the house arrest.
As you enter the first hall, two life-size statues of Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba Gandhi greets you along with other Freedom fighters, and several paintings depicting the different stages of freedom struggle.
The second hall depicts Gandhi’s philosophy of 'Unto the Last'. Deeply inspired by John Ruskin’s book Unto This Last he developed a philosophy of 'antyodaya' or the uplift of all, is reflected in the statue of Gandhi lifting a kid.
The third hall was used by Sarojini Naidu during their house arrest. A round table occupies the centre of the room, and the walls of this hall display paintings, photographs, and news clippings from the pre-independence era. You will also find portraits of Aga Khan III and IV to your right when you enter the room.
The fourth hall housed Mahadev Desai, who passed away within a few days of his arrest. A big wooden board hangs on the wall, which has spelled the circumstances leading to Mahadev Desai’s death, along with articles used by Gandhi and Kasturba Gandhi. One of the rooms in the fourth also housed Gandhi and his wife.
It was also here that Kasturba Gandhi breathed her last. Although not open to the public, the fifth hall has portraits of Gandhi and his wife as well as their personal belongings, which are visible through the glass door blocking the entrance.
The fifth hall has served as the officer of Dr. Glider and Shree Pyarelal Nayyar. This hall is not open to the public.
Later Additions
The palace also has the samadhis of Kasturba and Mahadev Desai. To the right of these memorials lies the ashes of Gandhi in a separate tomb. While Gandhiji was cremated at Raj Ghat in New Delhi, his ashes are said to have been brought here later and have been kept here since then.
Aga Khan Palace: Now
Today, the Aga Khan Palace is the headquarters of the Gandhi National Memorial Society. There is a shop inside the premises of the national monument where clothing made of handloom textiles and khadi are sold as mementos. Khadi making is still one of the main activities carried out at the palace.
However, not just a symbol of Indian Independence, Aga Khan Palace photo shoots are quite popular among newly married couples who come here for their pre-wedding or post-wedding shoots, and the architecture of the Aga Khan Palace humbly explains why.
Prayer sessions are also held at Gandhiji’s Samadhi every morning. A large number of people attend the prayer session, and it is quite a remarkable experience.
On Gandhi Jayanti, the footfall is double, with people coming in from different corners of the world to pay respect to the Father of the Nation and a martyr. The day of his assassination, 30th of January, is commemorated as Martyrs Day in honour of Mahatma Gandhi and other Freedom fighters who gave their lives to free us from the British Raj.
Azadi Ka Amrit Exhibition
Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javedkar inaugurated Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, an exhibition at Aga Khan Palace, recently. The exhibition titled Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, the celebration of 75 years of India’s Independence, was held through this program.
The exhibition was organized by the Bureau of Outreach Communication, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. It has panels showing glimpses of the contribution freedom fighters, including Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Lokmanya Tilak, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and many other prominent personalities.
Inaugurating the exhibition, the Union Information, and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javedekar said, “Our freedom has been earned with a lot of sacrifices. Hence, it is essential that everyone understand the journey of the freedom struggle. Exhibitions are being organized across the country in order to inform our people of our glorious freedom struggle and sacrifices made by our freedom fighters.”
The exhibition was organized at the Palace to pay respect to our freedom fighters as a part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, the celebration of 75th Independence.
Photos not allowed
Due to its unique architecture, greenery, and sylvan surroundings, the Aga Khan Palace has been one of the popular destinations for photographers. However, as the widespread availability of photography became a nuisance to visitors and tourists, the management decided to prohibit all photography within its ground. Even cellphones photography is forbidden within the palace grounds.
Standing tall with a legacy of more than 125 years, the elegant Aga Khan Palace stands as a testament to generosity, history, and architecture. At the same time, its role in the country’s freedom struggle makes it one of the most significant landmarks in India’s history.
Aga Khan Palace timings are from 9 am to 5:30 pm throughout the week, except on national holidays. The entry fee for Aga Khan Palace is INR 25 for Indians and INR 300 for foreign nationals.
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