Indian freedom movement is probably an important part of every Indian whether you were a part of it not. One must feel proud of being an Indian and should recognize sacrifice made by our freedom fighters. The Indian freedom movement was lead by Mahatma Gandhi and he was pivotal in Indian Independence.
Pune is blessed with natural bliss a fact that every Puneite would agree. But this city has a very lustrous past and has seen various facets of our freedom movement. There are a few places in Pune which are associated with this chapter of Indian history. Aga Khan Palace is one place which find mention in the history and associated with Gandhiji.
Located in the Eastern part of the city, it is on the Pune-AhmedNagar highway with Kalyani Nagar in its back ground. Built by Sultan Muhammed Shah Aga Khan III in Pune in 1892 for his philanthropic activities of helping the people in Pune who were severely hit by famine during that time.
During the Indian independence struggle, Mahatma Gandhi his wife Kasturba Gandhi and his secretary Mahadev Desai were interned in the palace from 9 August 1942 to 6 May 1944, following the launch of Quit India Movement. It was during this captivity that Kasturba Gandhi and Mahadev Desai had died and their memorials are in the same complex.
In 1969, Aga Khan Palace was donated to the Indian people by Aga Khan IV as a mark of respect to Gandhi and his philosophy. Today the palace houses a memorial on Gandhi where his ashes were kept.
This is a lush green complex and has a very calm and serene environment; a change which every concrete jungle resident would thrive for. As you enter the complex you are greeted with lush green lawns which are indeed a treat for the eyes and soul.
The palace has an inspiration of Italian architecture. It has two floors with halls in the ground floor converted to museum. It has wide corridors on every floor, but now only the ground floor is accessible to general public.
Another statue of Mahatma Gandhi
Wall art depicting Gandhiji with other leaders of or freedom struggle
Photograph of Gandhiji
Room in which Gandhi was placed under arrest. It has some articles which were used by Gandhiji
Samadhi of Kasturba Gandhi and Mahadev Desai
Place where after Gandhiji's death, his ashes were rested.
The palace has an inspiration of Italian architecture. It has two floors with halls in the ground floor converted to museum. It has wide corridors on every floor, but now only the ground floor is accessible to general public.
Ground floor has numerous photographs and artifacts associated with Gandhiji and freedom struggle.
Painting of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru
Statue of Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba Gandhi
Another statue of Mahatma Gandhi
Wall art depicting Gandhiji with other leaders of or freedom struggle
Photograph of Gandhiji
Room in which Gandhi was placed under arrest. It has some articles which were used by Gandhiji
Samadhi of Kasturba Gandhi and Mahadev Desai
Place where after Gandhiji's death, his ashes were rested.
This place is open on all days from 09.30 AM to 6.30 PM.There is a very nominal fee of Rs. 5 for Indian citizen to see this historical place and would say it's a must visit place if you are in Pune.
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