Is Pune’s Shaniwar Wada really haunted?

The Peshwas, the de facto hereditary administrators of the Maratha empire, never believed in doing anything small. It showed in the way they administered the provinces, and in the way they carried themselves for generations. After all, all things big are expected of you if you are the Prime Minister of one of the largest and strongest empires in the country.

Among all the Peshwas, Bajirao-I made the most impact in Pune’s history and culture. When we think about Bajirao-I, we have to think about the majestic Shaniwar Wada, a 13-storey fort palace of the Peshwas, built by none other than Bajirao-I.

It was back in 1736 when the fort was built and, at that time, it was one of the strongest and most formidable forts around. The residential fort complex saw many chapters of the Peshwas’ history where the stories were not only about the brave and influential administrators, but also about gruesome deaths and fall of the Peshwas. One such story is of the 10th Peshwa – the 18-year-old Narayan Rao.



When the young Narayan Rao inherited the title and the seat, the news was not well-received by all. A couple of these unhappy individuals were the ambitious uncle Raghunath Rao and his wife. As soon as the news of the acquisition of the throne came out, they started to plot the murder of the 18-year-old Narayan Rao. What follows is not just gruesome but macabre too.

With the help of the Gardis (a tribe of hunters), Raghunath Rao killed the young Peshwa and chopped his body in small pieces and discarded them in the nearby river. As per the local legends, Shaniwar Fort, ever since that gruesome murder, became a site with terrible haunting cases. It was as if the murder opened up a portal and now Shaniwar Fort is populated by all those who died or were killed in the fort complex. Many locals still say that sometimes they hear the young Peshwa’s gruesome screams. Entry to the fort after 6:30 PM is strictly not allowed.


In present times, Shaniwar Wada is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Pune; from the ruins to the fort’s five doorways – Delhi Darwaza, Khidki Darwaza, Ganesh Darwaza, Narayan Darwaza and Mastani Darwaza.

Remember Bajirao Mastani, the Bollywood blockbuster? Yes, the movie was based on the history of Bajirao and his second wife Mastani, and was shot here in Shaniwar Wada. We believe, post the release of Bajirao Mastani, the fort complex saw a dramatic increase in footfalls.

1. Where is Shaniwar Fort located?
   Shaniwar Fort is located in Pune, Maharashtra.
2. When is the best time to visit Shaniwar Fort?
   The fort is open daily from 8:00 AM to 6:30 PM. The entry fee is minimal – INR 5 for Indians and INR 125 for foreigners.
3. Is photography allowed inside the fort complex?
   Yes, photography is allowed inside the fort complex.