Pune360 | The Aga Khan Palace | Palace, Kasturba, Also, Pune, Had

Poona, India

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Pune

Places of Historic Interest

The Aga Khan Palace

The Aga Khan Palace in Pune is known by various names such as Kasturba Gandhi Memorial, Kasturba Samadhi, Gandhi National Memorial and Yerawada Ashram.

Originally built by Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah Agakhan III in the year 1892, this palace was donated to India by Aga Khan IV in the year 1969. But the reason why it was built is also a strange one. It is believed that a famine had hit Pune and its surrounding areas around that time and the Mughal ruler started the construction to provide employment and thereby a source of income to the people. Whatever the reason may be, the palace is the fruit of a good leader and the untiring efforts of the artisans who worked on it. The lush gardens and the spacious lawns leading to the palace give one an idea of the efforts taken.

The palace has been built with Italian arches spreading over an area of 19 acres. The spacious lawns add to the grandeur of the palace. The palace itself has five floors and it is really difficult to imagine that this grand palace had been put into use as a prison by the British to detain prominent Indian freedom fighters.

Gandhiji and Kasturba find a place of importance in the history of the Aga Khan Palace as they had been imprisoned here for a while during the end of the British rule in India. Kasturba Gandhi passed away at this place, which is why her samadhi is now a prominent part of the palace. The renowned architect Charles Correa is associated with the design and construction of the samadhi. Gandhiji’s long time aide Mahadev Desai, who served both Gandhiji and Kasturba during their imprisonment days, also breathed his last here. There is an exhibition here that has some good highlights on the life and career of Gandhiji. Besides, there is also a shop that sells khadi products.

There are also some classes such as chalk making, embroidery and other handicrafts that are run for the poor and needy. Others are charged a nominal fee.

The palace also houses one or two social organizations.

Located about 7 kms away from Pune station on the Pune Nagar Highway and close to the Mula River, this palace is open for public viewing on all days from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm and charges a nominal entry fee of Rs.5 for adults and Rs.2 for children.