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Shaniwar Wada, Pune : The Palace Of The Peshwa

Shaniwar Wada, Pune : The Palace Of The Peshwa

The name Shaniwar Wada is derived from two Marathi words – Shaniwar meaning Saturday and Wada meaning a residential complex. The palace was constructed at a cost of 16,110 rupees, which was a princely sum in those days.

The Delhi Darwaza - the main gate of Shaniwar Wada

The Delhi Darwaza - the main gate of Shaniwar Wada

The main entrance of the Shaniwar Wada is called the Delhi Darwaza, so called because it faces the north and due to Bajirao’s ambitions of conquering Delhi. The main gate of the palace is so big that elephants can easily pass through it. However, to prevent the enemies from using elephants to charge the gate, sharp steel spikes were attached to each pane of the gate at an approximate height of an adult elephant’s forehead.

Shaniwar Wada, Pune : The Palace Of The Peshwa

Shaniwar Wada, Pune : The Palace Of The Peshwa

The construction of this palace of the Peshwas was started on a Saturday and hence the name (Saturday is Shaniwar in Hindi). This 13-storey building was started in 1730 by Bajirao I and was finally made ready in 1732.

Shaniwar Wada, Pune : The Palace Of The Peshwa

Shaniwar Wada, Pune : The Palace Of The Peshwa

Shaniwar Wada features the Maratha Imperial architectural style. For the construction, teak was sourced from the Junnar jungles while lime was brought from the Jejuri lime belts and stones from the Chinchwad quarries

Shaniwar Wada, Pune: The Erstwhile Seat of the Peshwas

Shaniwar Wada, Pune: The Erstwhile Seat of the Peshwas

Under the Peshwai (leadership) of Bajirao I, the capital of the Maratha Empire shifted from Satara to Pune. Bajirao chose Pune for his seat because he found the climate and geography of Pune most suitable for the Peshwai. As both ceremonies – laying the foundation stone and a house warming – took place on Saturdays and the Wada was built in Shaniwar Peth, hence it was named "Shaniwar Wada".

A cannon placed at the entrance of Shaniwar Wada

A cannon placed at the entrance of Shaniwar Wada

Ruins of Palaces inside Shaniwar Wada

Ruins of Palaces inside Shaniwar Wada

Fountain of a Thousand Jets

Fountain of a Thousand Jets

A majestic fountain shaped like a lotus, called Hazari Karanje or the Fountain of a Thousand Jets, adorned the palace complex. It is believed to have been the most exquisite fountain of that era whose jets formed 80 feet-high arches.

View of Sunset over Pune city From Parvati Hill

View of Sunset over Pune city From Parvati Hill

View of Sunset over Pune city From Parvati Hill

View of Sunset over Pune city From Parvati Hill

View of Sunset over Pune city From Parvati Hill

View of Sunset over Pune city From Parvati Hill

Sunset over Parvati Hill, Pune

Sunset over Parvati Hill, Pune

Bird's eye view of Mumbai

Bird's eye view of Mumbai

Bird's eye view of Mumbai

Bird's eye view of Mumbai

Bird's eye view of Mumbai

Bird's eye view of Mumbai

Marine Drive: The Heart And Soul Of Mumbai

Marine Drive: The Heart And Soul Of Mumbai

Marine Drive, Mumbai's iconic curved coastal boulevard, is often referred to as the Queen's Necklace because of its glowing string of street lights. This popular seaside promenade provides a refreshing break from the claustrophobic concrete jungle that covers most of the city.

Marine Drive: The Heart And Soul Of Mumbai

Marine Drive: The Heart And Soul Of Mumbai

The actual name of the Marine Drive area is Sonapur. The road that stretches along this area is officially named Netaji Subash Chandra Bose road, though many people know it as just Marine Drive.

Mumbai Skyline From Girgaon Chowpatty beach

Mumbai Skyline From Girgaon Chowpatty beach

The Gateway of India, Mumbai

The Gateway of India, Mumbai

The Gateway of India is one of India's most unique landmarks situated in the city of Mumbai. The colossal structure was constructed in 1924. Located at the tip of Apollo Bunder, the gateway overlooks the Mumbai harbor, bordered by the Arabian Sea

The Gateway of India, Mumbai

The Gateway of India, Mumbai

The Gateway of India was erected to commemorate the landing of King George V and Queen Mary at Apollo Bunder on their visit to India in 1911. Built in Indo-Saracenic style, the foundation stone for the Gateway of India was laid on 31 March 1911 and the construction of the monument was completed in 1924

Gateway of India with iconic Hotel Taj in the backdrop

Gateway of India with iconic Hotel Taj in the backdrop

The Town Hall, Mumbai

The Town Hall, Mumbai

The Town Hall is one of the royal constitutions of Mumbai that maintains the legacy of this city. This massive structure was implemented in 1811 and the construction was completed in 1833. This monument is also termed as the "Literary Society of Mumbai" after it was transferred to the city of Mumbai. A library of the Asiatic Society and a museum are also present within the premises of the Town Hall.

Mesmerising sunset at the  Girgaum Chowpatty beach

Mesmerising sunset at the Girgaum Chowpatty beach

Mesmerising sunset at the  Girgaum Chowpatty beach

Mesmerising sunset at the Girgaum Chowpatty beach

Mesmerising sunset at the  Girgaum Chowpatty beach

Mesmerising sunset at the Girgaum Chowpatty beach

Alone with the sea

Alone with the sea

Port of India lit by millions of colors

Port of India lit by millions of colors

Built in commemoration of King George V and Queen Mary's visit in 1911, the Gateway of India has stood at the port of Mumbai for over 90 years. The Gateway is the first object any ship docking in Mumbai would see. When British rule ended and the last British officials left Mumbai in 1948, they departed through the Gateway. The Gateway of India is now a symbol of Indian independence.

Gateway of India: A Colossal Monument from the Colonial Times

Gateway of India: A Colossal Monument from the Colonial Times

Iconic Hotel Taj in front of the Gateway of India

Iconic Hotel Taj in front of the Gateway of India

‘Diamond by the sea’ – the Taj Mahal Palace is an architectural jewel in Mumbai. The foundation of the Taj was laid in 1898, and the hotel opened its gates to the guests for the first time on December 16, 1902. Taj Mahal Palace was the first building in Bombay to be lit by electricity.

Illuminated Hotel Taj

Illuminated Hotel Taj

Illuminated Hotel Taj

Illuminated Hotel Taj

At one time, it was believed that Jamshedji Tata was inspired to build this hotel after he was refused entry at Watson’s Hotel, which was restricted to ‘whites only.’

Illuminated Hotel Taj

Illuminated Hotel Taj

This royal palatial building is carved with Victorian Gothic and Romanesque details along with Edwardian touches on the roof. The hotel boasts of many firsts in the Indian hospitality industry – it used American fans, German elevators, Turkish baths and English butlers to give the people of its city an experience like no other hotel in the country.

Illuminated Hotel Taj

Illuminated Hotel Taj

The beautiful floating staircase of the Taj is unique by design. Construction of the Taj cost over Rs. 4 crores at that time. The hotel is a six-story building with a central Moorish dome based on magnificent architecture of the Indo-Saracenic style.

Illuminated central Moorish dome of Hotel Taj

Illuminated central Moorish dome of Hotel Taj

The hotel was attacked by terrorist on 26 November 2008, during which material damage occurred, including the destruction of the hotel's roof. Indian commandos killed the terrorists to end the three-day battle on 29 November. At least 31 people died in the Taj.

Illuminated Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminal Railway station

Illuminated Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminal Railway station

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST), formerly known as Victoria Terminus (VT), is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a historic railway station located in the heart of Mumbai. Built in 1888, the station is a grand reminder of the British Raj in India and still one of the most historical landmarks within the Central Business District of Mumbai. It has been a core witness to the city flourishing, businesses blooming, and the Indian film industry growing. It has seen the transition of Bombay to Mumbai

Illuminated Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminal Railway station

Illuminated Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminal Railway station

Designed by the British architect F. W. Stevens, CST is an outstanding example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture in India, blended with themes deriving from Indian traditional architecture. The structure represents the heart of the mercantile facet of the city and also symbolizes the British Commonwealth

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