King Bajirao Ballal built ‘Shaniwar Wada’ was named as one of the most Haunted Palaces in India. Many of us have heard of Shaniwar Wada in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Block buster film Bajirao Mastani. Shaniwar Wada is an 18th century fortification in the city of Pune, Maharashtra. It was built in 1732 under the seat of Peshwa Rulers of Maratha empire until 1818.

>>> Bajirao And Mastani 300 Years Old Real Love Story <<<

Peshwa Bajirao I laid the foundation of his own residence on Saturday and hence named Shaniwar Wada from the Marathi words Shaniwar (Saturday) and Wada (a residence complex). Shaniwarwada was completed in 1732, at a total cost of Rs. 16,110, a very large sum at the time.

Shaniwarwada has five gates. Dilli Darwaza, Mastani Darwaja, Khidki Darwaja, Ganesh Darwaja and Jambhul Darwaja. Going back to know the love story of Bajirao – Mastani and the loneliness of Kashibai, there’s a big history to it. A year after its construction,  Shaniwar Wada saw an early and unfortunate death of Peshwa Bajirao I, betrayal towards his first wife Kashibai.

Long ago, Shaniwar Wada was known for its architectural brilliance, but today, it is believed that it’s the ill fate of this fort that makes it one of the most haunted palaces of Pune. The locals believe that the fort is haunted by the ghost of Bajirao’s grandson Narayanrao, who was brutally killed on the orders of his relatives.

Following the rise of the Maratha Empire, the palace became the center of Indian politics in the 18th century. The fort itself was largely destroyed in 1828 by an unexplained fire, but the surviving structures are now maintained as a tourist site.