Shaniwar Wada was the seat of the Peshwa rulers of the Maratha Empire until 1818 when the Peshwas surrendered to the British. Built by the Peshwa Bajirao I of Maratha Dynasty in 1730, the edifice is a real specimen of Maratha culture. Palace of the rulers of Peshwa dynasty also shows the influence of Mughal style and the feature of Maratha artistic styles in its architectural design.
Prime minister to Chhatrapati Shahu, King of the Maratha Empire, Bajirao laid the ceremonial foundation of his own residence on January 10, 1730. After the words ‘Shaniwar’ (Saturday) and ‘Wada’ (A general term for any residence complex), it got its present name. Completed in 1732, the palace was built using teak that was imported from the jungles of Junnar, stone brought from quarries of Chinchwad, and lime sourced from the lime-belts of Jejuri.
Comprising fountains, courtyards, blooming gardens, offices, audience halls and residential quarters, the palace is situated near Mula River. Out of the existing structure only remnants, saved from the fire that engulfed the fort in 1827, are outer stonewalls, bastions, and small gates. Dilli Darwaja (Delhi Gate), Mastani or Alibahadur Darwaja, Khidki Darwaja, Ganesh Darwaja and Narayan Darwaja are the gates of the palace.
Thorlya Rayancha Diwankhana, Naachacha Diwankhana (Dance Hall) and Juna Arsa Mahal (Old Mirror Hall) form the components of the palace. Lotus-shaped fountain, the Hazari Karanje, located within the palace was constructed for the pleasure of the infant Peshwa Sawai Madhavrao. A sixteen petal lotus forms the design of the fountain.
Paintings depicting scenes from the epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata are present on the walls of the fort. Main door of the palace is about 21 ft tall. Polished marble, arranged in a mosaic pattern made the floors of the palace that was adorned with rich Persian rugs.
