The Aga Khan Palace of Pune in India was built in 1892 by Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III. This palace and the surrounding seven-acre land were donated to the Gandhi Smarka Nidhi in 1969 in the Gandhi Centenary year by Prince Karim Aga Khan IV as a mark of respect to Gandhiji and his philosophy.
The palace encompasses within its mute walls, memories of tryst - the collective will and determination of men and women who brought down the British Empire. It is now a place of pilgrimage for national and international tourists and known the world over as a national memorial of ‘Ba’ and ‘Bapu’.
‘Do or Die’ & Gahndi's Arrest
During the 1942 Quit India Movement, Mahatma Gandhi gave his call of ‘Do or Die’. On August 8, he and all Congress Working Committee members were arrested and taken by a special train to the Aga Khan Palace.
The British interned Mahatma Gandhi and his wife Kasturba Gandhi in the palace along with other Indian National Congress leaders who were imprisoned in here. This served as quarters for imprisonment of Gandhi and Kasturba towards the tail end of the British rule in India.
Loss of Dear Ones Here
Within a week of his imprisonment, on August 15, 1942, Gandhi lost one of his dearest friends Mahadeobhai Desai who had been a pillar of support, a long time aide and his private secretary for 35 years. He insisted on either handing the body to friends outside the jail, or performing the last rites himself. The Government gave in and Gandhi anointed his secretary’s body.On February 22, 1944, on Mahashivaratri day, Gandhi suffered a second bereavement when his wife died.
With his own hands, Gandhi built the ‘samadhis’ (tombs) for them. The two tombs repose under the ancient tamarind trees in the palace grounds, erected at the rear side of the palace. Their ashes are kept here and a marble memorial erected of Kasturba Gandhi and Mahadeobhai Desai. After his death, Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes were also laid here next to these tombs. It is now marked by a marble ‘tulsi vrindavan’.
The Aga Khan Palace Now
The management of the tombs, the museum, and the palace campus was transferred to the Gandhi National Memorial society in 1980.
A spacious hall named Kasturba Smriti Mandir, is built near the tombs where meetings and seminars are held throughout the year.
The Picture Gallery Museum exhibits in the five rooms give a glimpse into Gandhi’s life and depict important events in the freedom struggle. The exhibits are photographs, posters and some important personal belongings of Gandhi, Kasturba and Mahadev Desai.
The palace has Gandhi’s simple personal effects like utensils, clothes, towel, garland, slippers that he used during his stay here. The chair on which Mahadeo breathed his last, the dining table where they had their meals, the room where Gandhi gave science lessons to his grand-daughter, the letter written by Gandhi on the death of his dear secretary, are some of the attractions. The room where Kasturba spent her last days has the special cenotaph that honors her. Reference libraries and documentation on Gandhian philosophy are also here.
Gandhi National Memorial Society
The Gandhi National Memorial society looks after the upliftment of weaker sections in society, especially women.
The Rural Social Worker’s training here prepares young women social workers to undertake work in community services.
A full-fledged nursery school here is divided into Junior and Senior nursery classes. It is named ‘Madhurika’ and was established in 1982 in memory of late Mira Ben whose real name is Miss Slaid. She was the disciple of Mahatma Gandhi. There is also the Mahadev Printing Press, started in 1983.
The Kasturba Mahila Khadi Gramodyog Vidyalay here is recognized and financed by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission to train women. A shop attached here sells khadi or cotton handloom garments and textiles.
The Masala (Spice) Training Unit trains women in spice making. Vocational training prepares them in tailoring, embroidery and readymade garments. There is a course in Fruit and Vegetable processing and preservation.
There are also courses in house-keeping, personality development, and specialized training in childcare, old age and catering services. All such training helps destitute women seeking shelter and employment.
Solar Energy Demo
In the Energy Park, the use of solar energy is demonstrated by installing solar cookers, heaters, streetlights, and fountains. This park was established with the help of Ministry of Renewable Energy, New Delhi.
Getting here is easy with every rickshaw (Tuk Tuk) driver willing to drop you at Aga Khan Palace.
The palace is closed on Sundays and is open week days from 09.00 to 18.00 hours with lunch break from 12.30 to 13.30 hours.
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