Lal Mahal

Last updated

Lal Mahal front view Lal Mahal Shiw Chitr Shrushti.JPG
Lal Mahal front view

The Lal Mahal (Red Palace) of Pune is one of the most famous monuments located in Pune, India, where Shivaji I, founder of the Maratha Empire spent his childhood. [1]

Contents

History Of Lal Mahal

In the year 1630 AD, Shivaji's Father Shahaji, established the Lal Mahal for his wife Jijabai and son.Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj stayed here for many years till he captured the first fort. The current Lal Mahal is a reconstruction of the original and located in the center of the Pune city. The original Lal Mahal was built with the idea of rejuvenating the recently razed city of Pune when Shahaji Raje entered the city along with Shivaji and his mother, Maasaheb Jijabai. Young Shivaji grew up here, and stayed in the Lal Mahal till he captured the Torna fort in 1645. Shivaji's marriage with his first wife, Saibai took place in Lal Mahal on 16 May 1640. [2] [3]

The Lal Mahal is also famous for an encounter between Shivaji and Shaista Khan where Shivaji cut off four fingers of the latter's when he was trying to escape from the first-floor window of the Lal Mahal. [4] This was part of a surreptitious guerrilla attack on the massive and entrenched Mughal Army that had camped in Pune, with Shaista occupying (possibly symbolically) Shivaji's childhood home. As a punishment for the ignominy of the defeat despite superior numbers and better armed and fed soldiers, Shaista was transferred by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb to Bengal. [5]

Towards the end of the 17th Century, the Lal Mahal was ruined by some people and was eventually razed to the ground as a result of various attacks on the city. [6] It is said that during the construction of the Shaniwarwada, some soil and stones of the Lal Mahal were used for luck. In 1734-35, a few houses were constructed on the land of the Lal Mahal and given for use to Ranoji Shinde and Ramchandraji. The records in the offices of the Peshwas mention that Lal Mahal was used for arranging feasts for the Brahmins during the thread-ceremony of Sadashivrao Bhau, son of Chimaji Appa. The exact original location of the Lal Mahal is unknown, however, it was known to be very close to the location of Shaniwarwada, which is roughly where the current reconstruction stands.

Reconstruction and current structure

The current Lal Mahal was built only on a part of the land of the original Lal Mahal. The new Lal Mahal was not rebuilt in the same fashion as the original one and there is not much information found about the area and structure of the original Lal Mahal. The current Lal Mahal was rebuilt by the Pune Municipal Corporation. Construction started in 1984 and was completed in 1988. [7]

The current Lal Mahal is a memorial holding a collection of large-size oil paintings based on the significant events in the life of Shivaji, a statue of Jijabai, a carving depicting Shivaji using a gold plow along with Jijabai, a fiber model of Raigad with horsemen and a huge map of Maharashtra indicating the forts of Shivaji. The popular Jijamata Garden is now a recreational park for kids. [1]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shivaji</span> First Chhatrapati of the Marathas (r. 1674–80)

Shivaji I was an Indian ruler and a member of the Bhonsle dynasty. Shivaji carved out his own independent kingdom from the Sultanate of Bijapur that formed the genesis of the Maratha Confederacy. In 1674, he was formally crowned the Chhatrapati of his realm at Raigad Fort.

Firangoji Narsala was a Maratha warrior and military leader in the army of Shivaji Maharaj, in 17th century India. He is famous for his defence of Sangram Durg, a fort, against a Mughal army led by Shaista Khan in 1660.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kasba Ganapati</span> Hindu Temple

The Kasba Ganapati refers to both a particular murti of the god Ganapati in Pune, India, as well as to the temple built around the murti. The Kasba Ganapati is the presiding deity (gramadevata) of Pune. Kasba Ganpati is considered the first Manacha Ganpati, or most revered Ganpati, in Pune, Maharashtra. The idol was established in 1893 and is located in the Kasba Peth area of Pune, an ancient part of the city. It is patronized by Ganapati Bapurao Bebhan Durbar and is considered the presiding deity of Pune. The idol is said to be self-made and was originally the size of a grain of rice, but is now larger due to a layer of red sandalwood.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sinhagad</span> Hill Fort in Maharashtra, India

Sinhagad is an ancient hill fortress located at around 49 km southwest of the city of Pune, India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shahaji</span> Father of Shivaji Bhonsle and eldest son of Maloji Raje Bhonsle (1594-1664)

Shahaji Bhonsale was a 17th century Indian military leader who served the Ahmadnagar Sultanate, the Bijapur Sultanate, and the Mughal Empire at various points in his career. As a member of the Bhonsle dynasty, Shahaji inherited the Pune and Supe jagirs (fiefs) from his father Maloji, who previously served the Ahmadnagar Sultanate. During the Mughal invasion of the Deccan, Shahaji joined the Mughal forces and served under Emperor Shah Jahan for a short period. After being deprived of his jagirs, he defected to the Bijapur Sultanate in 1632 and regained control over Pune and Supe. In 1638, he received the jagir of Bangalore after Bijapur's invasion of Kempe Gowda III's territories. Afterwards, he became the chief general of Bijapur and oversaw its expansion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chakan fort</span> Land fort in Chakan, Pune, Maharashtra, India

Sangram Durga is a land fort situated at Chakan, Pune, Maharashtra, India. The original area of the fort was 65 acres, currently it is only 5.5 acres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Sinhagad</span> 1670 battle between Maratha and Mughal forces

The Battle of Sinhagad, also known as Battle of Kondhana, involved an attack by Marathas during the night of 4 February 1670 on the Mughal fort of Sinhagad, near the city of Pune, Maharashtra. The Marathas captured the fort.

Santaji Ghorpade (1660–1696) was a Maratha general and held the esteemed position of the 7th Senapati within the Maratha Empire during the reign of Chattrapati Rajaram I. He is widely regarded as one of the foremost experts in Guerrilla warfare. Santaji Ghorpade, in collaboration with Dhanaji Jadhav, conducted a series of successful campaigns against the Mughals from 1689 to 1696. His strategic acumen was demonstrated through the adept utilization of tactics such as guerrilla warfare, ambushes, and swift mobility, ultimately resulting in effective defeats of the Mughal Army. In recognition of his valor, Rajaram bestowed upon him the title of Mamlakat-Madar in 1690.

Rajmatoshree Shrimant Soyarabai Saheb Bhosale(Mohite) died 1681) was second wife of Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of Maratha empire in western India. She was mother of Shivaji Maharaj's second son, Rajaram. She was the younger sister of Maratha army chief Hambirrao Mohite.

Chakan is a city and municipal council in Pune district of the Indian state of Maharashtra. The Chakan is also part of Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority. Chakan is one of the largest automobile and manufacturing hub of India. Being developed as a hub for manufacturing and logistics by MIDC, Chakan is home to some of the biggest names in automobile manufacturing: Volkswagen, Bajaj Auto, Mercedes Benz, Hyundai, and more. Chakan is often referred to as the "Automobile Hub of India". The Independent referred Chakan as India's "Motor City". The city is about 30 km from the city of Pune and 140km from Mumbai.

Dadoji Kondadeo was an administrator of the Pune jagir and the nearby Kondana fort. He was appointed by Shahaji, a noble and general of the Adilshahi sultanate of Bijapur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sai Bhonsale</span> Maharani of the Maratha Empire

Saibai Bhosale was the first wife and chief consort of Chattrapati Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha Empire. She was the mother of her husband's successor Chattrapati Sambhaji.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rajgad Fort</span> Hill fort in Pune district, Maharashtra, India

Rajgad is a Hill region fort situated in the Pune district of Maharashtra, India. Formerly known as Murumbdev, the fort was the first capital of the Maratha Empire under the rule of Chhatrapati Shivaji for almost 26 years, after which the capital was moved to the Raigad Fort. Treasures discovered from an adjacent fort called Torna were used to completely build and fortify the Rajgad Fort.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panhala Fort</span> Medieval fort in Maharashtra, India

Panhala fort, is located in Panhala, 20 kilometres northwest of Kolhapur in Maharashtra, India. It is strategically located looking over a pass in the Sahyadri mountain range which was a major trade route from Bijapur in the interior of Maharashtra to the coastal areas. Due to its strategic location, it was the centre of several skirmishes in the Deccan involving the Marathas, the Mughals and the British the grand son's of chhatrapati shivaji maharaj East India Company, the most notable being the Battle of Pavan Khind. Here, the queen regent of Kolhapur, Tarabai Ranisaheb, spent her formative years. Several parts of the fort and the structures within are still intact. It is also called as the 'Fort of Snakes' as it is zigzagged in shape.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prabalgad</span> Fort in India

Prabalgad is a fort located between Matheran and Panvel and comes under the Raigad District in the state of Maharashtra, India.

Shivaji was the founder of the Maratha Empire in the Indian subcontinent. This article describes Shivaji's life from his birth until the age of 19 years (1630–1649).

<i>Veer Shivaji</i> 2011 Indian TV series or programme

Veer Shivaji is an Indian historical drama series that aired on Colors TV. The show focuses on the life of Shivaji, the 17th century founder of the Maratha Empire. It premiered on 2 September 2011 and was produced by Contiloe Telefilms, who had earlier created the historical drama Jhansi Ki Rani on Zee TV. Due to the instant success and popularity and with TRP of more than 2.60, the show timing were extended to five days a week from 3 October 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Architecture of Maharashtra</span> Architectural style of the state of Maharashtra and Maharashtrian people

Maharashtra state in India is known for its Famous caves and cliffs. It is said that the varieties found in Maharashtra are wider than the caves and rock-cut architecture found in the rock cut areas of Egypt, Assyria, Persia and Greece. The Buddhist monks first started these caves in the 2nd century BC, in search of serene and peaceful environment for meditation, and they found these caves on the hillsides.

<i>Raja Shivchhatrapati</i> Marathi television program

Raja Shivchatrapati is a Marathi historical drama television series based on Shivaji, founder of the Maratha Kingdom. The serial was re-broadcast in April 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

References

  1. 1 2 "50 lakh makeover for Lal Mahal". Times of India. 27 April 2016.
  2. Petlee, Peter (19 February 2017). "Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's Bengaluru days". Times of India.
  3. Balkrishna Deopujari, Murlidhar (1973). Shivaji and the Maratha Art of War. Vidarbha Maharashtra Samshodhan Mandal. p. 35.
  4. "Lal Mahal". Government of Maharashtra.
  5. Chandra, Satish (2007). History of medieval India: 800 - 1700 (1. publ ed.). New Delhi: Orient Longman. ISBN   978-81-250-3226-7. OCLC   191849214.
  6. "Will razed Lal Mahal rise from the rubble? - Times of India". The Times of India . Archived from the original on 9 June 2012. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  7. "Pune Municipal Corporation plans to spend Rs 75 lakh on renovation of Lal Mahal". Indian Express. 18 August 2018.