These are a few pictures of the Sardar Purandare Wada (which is a large house with a courtyard), and is a continuation of the previous post with pictures of the exterior of the Sardar Purandare Wada at Saswad. Saswad, near Pune, is a small historical town. It has some ancient temples, and also has this huge Purandare residence, which is more like a fortress!
These are some photographs of the interior. The first image is a close up of a small trap-door, which is at the bottom of a very high spiked door at the entrance to the wada. It was my ancestor, Ambaji Purandare, a Diwan of the Peshwas who owned this wada and built it with the help of the Peshwas, possibly in 1710.
Opening the huge iron doors is not practical today, and the way to enter is through this small trapdoor. You enter into a fairly large corridor inside with a very high ceiling which is a buffer between the door and the actual wada. At one time, there were doors on both the sides. A way to trap invaders if they did break into the main door.
Walk a little further ahead and you enter open space, and another door which leads you into another corridor. This is the entry to the main house. Carvings still decorate this wooden door.
Once you enter and look to the right, you can see the dilapidated rooms. Huge corridors line the rooms. The structure is still standing and it is possible to climb up three floors and explore the inside.
The other side of this structure lies in ruins.
You might also like to see photos of the exterior of the Sardar Purandare Wada at Saswad or more photos of the inside of this old historical fort: Interiors of the Sardar Purandare Wada at Saswad
Or photos of Ancient Doors in India or more ancient culture from Maharashtra: Vishram Bag Wada Pune - Photos or Ancient Narsimha Temple in Pune
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Opening the huge iron doors is not practical today, and the way to enter is through this small trapdoor. You enter into a fairly large corridor inside with a very high ceiling which is a buffer between the door and the actual wada. At one time, there were doors on both the sides. A way to trap invaders if they did break into the main door.
Walk a little further ahead and you enter open space, and another door which leads you into another corridor. This is the entry to the main house. Carvings still decorate this wooden door.
Once you enter and look to the right, you can see the dilapidated rooms. Huge corridors line the rooms. The structure is still standing and it is possible to climb up three floors and explore the inside.
The other side of this structure lies in ruins.
You might also like to see photos of the exterior of the Sardar Purandare Wada at Saswad or more photos of the inside of this old historical fort: Interiors of the Sardar Purandare Wada at Saswad
Or photos of Ancient Doors in India or more ancient culture from Maharashtra: Vishram Bag Wada Pune - Photos or Ancient Narsimha Temple in Pune
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Hello there..!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot for sharing this photo journey
I am very happy to see this blog and also very curious to visit the Sardar Purandare wada. and know more about it
Like how many rooms are there? how many people were lived there on that time? How much money they spend to build the wada that time? ..... some thing like that.
Is that open for everyone? mean if i want to see that wada from inside then is it possible to go there and see the wada from inside?
Many Thanks,
Hi Mayuro. Thank you for your interest. At present there is not way to see the inside as it is not open to the public. A lot of people lived there, all a large joint family of Purandare and included servants etc. I do not know the details but I will ask my uncle and write it here if he knows any of these details. They are of course already in the history books, but I do not have that book which is in Marathi. The history of the Purandares is a matter of historical record. I will try and encapsulate it in this post and let you know when I do.
ReplyDeleteI studied in this place between 1962 till 1964
ReplyDeleteDinesh Kumthekar Saswad, Pune, Kuwait
That is very interesting Dinesh. Was there a school there? I will try and find out from my uncle. Thanks.
DeleteI have selected this wada for mg studies who's permission shld I take for measurement drawing
ReplyDeleteI don't understand your question.
ReplyDeleteHi, may i know why this is not open to public. the government of maharashtra should take care of this magnificent structure.
ReplyDeleteSheela, I agree that the government of maharashtra should take care of it. But they have refused. It is not open to the public because someone will have to be there to manage it, clean everyday etc. At present this is not possible.
DeleteCan we go inside to watch it
ReplyDeleteI am afraid you cannot go in. It is private property
DeleteTO see Sardar Purandare Wada at Saswad, one has to get consent of Purandare's relatives who reside in Saswad city and get the key of Wada. As a Reporter I got privilege to be invited to see this Wada. You just enter into history. There was a primary school in that property. The walls of the Wada are full of some good thoughts which are taught in the schools. The condition of Wada is dilapidated.
ReplyDeleteOne can not dare to enter into the property after the day light. A film named, Tumbad depicted this property very nicely. Do visit this Wada and just peep into the history.
Sandeep
Hi, any contact details of the owners/ caretakers?
DeleteWe must preserve our history . Ruined monuments like this insult our ancestrals .
ReplyDeleteI agree. The government should give the money for it.
DeleteIs this place haunted?
ReplyDeleteHi Nita,
ReplyDeletevery nice to see these all old pics of Respected Purandare wada , such a long time ago i was spent my golden days of childhood from 1980 to 1989 in Brahmin ali , & nice seen my childhood friends, that all were my golden period memories, i feel very fresh when i see thes pics of related area.
Thanks
Hello, we were in Saswad and visited the wada there. However since its not open for public, we couldnt go in. Whom should we contact for permission yo enter the wada?
ReplyDelete- Pranoti Maydeo
Hi Pranoti, I am sorry but our family doesn't permit outsiders to see it. The reason is that there are too many requests and then maintenance becomes a huge problem.
DeleteHi, Nita
ReplyDeleteIf this Wada get the permission of restoration will it be a private Wada or a public space as in library, museum, etc.?
It depends on who is restoring it. If it is done privately, then it will remain private.
DeleteHello. I'm a student and am very much interested in exploring historical places, such as this wada. I am aware that we are not permitted to enter it, but would it be okay for me to ask if we could have more pictures of it's interiors and more rooms inside of it? I cannot find any other source of it's pictures on the inside.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Hello Anonymous. These are all the pictures I have at present. When we go next time, I will try and get more.
Delete