Echoes of the Wada: The Haunting of Shaniwar Fort

**Shaniwar Wada** was built in 1732 by **Bajirao I**, the Peshwa of the Maratha Empire, as the seat of Maratha power in Pune. Named after the Saturday (Shaniwar) on which its foundation stone was laid, the fort was a symbol of Maratha strength and political dominance.Originally intended to be a stone structure, it was mostly built with bricks due to political constraints. Despite this, it became a grand fortress with massive gates, intricate architecture, and lush gardens. Shaniwar Wada served as the center of the Maratha Empire's administration and witnessed key historical events.However, in 1828, a massive fire destroyed much of the fort, leaving it in ruins. Today, Shaniwar Wada stands as a reminder of the Maratha Empire's glory—and is known for its haunting legends, especially the ghostly tale of **Narayanrao Peshwa’s** murder in 1773, whose cries are said to still echo within its walls.