A beacon of Shivaji's valour

Pune, the cultural capital of Maharashtra, is imbued with the valour of the Maratha Empire's rulers. In this great city you'll find magnificent forts, grand palaces, sacred temples, and stately mansions, each holding tales of the past.

In the heart of Pune, right across from Shaniwar Wada, there stands a striking red (lal) palace known as Lal Mahal, which is famous for being the childhood home of Shivaji Maharaj.

In the 16th century, Shahaji Bhosale, the father of Shivaji, sought to improve Pune's dismal state. Recognising the necessity for a residence, Shahaji Maharaj started the construction of a palace, which would later become known as Lal Mahal.

This palace was where the greatest Maratha ruler would spend his formative years until he captured his first fort, the Torna Fort, in 1645. But it acquired legendary status during the Battle of Poona (Former name of Pune) in 1663. As the story goes, Shaista Khan, a fierce warrior from the Mughal army, and his son, along with other warriors, had taken over the Lal Mahal. In a bid to reclaim it, Shivaji and his men attacked, killing Shaista Khan's son. Shaista Khan then tried to kill Shivaji in a sneak guerrilla attack, who then confronted him. Realizing he couldn't win, Shaista Khan attempted to escape through a window, during which Shivaji cut off the latter's fingers.

Historically, this palace has seen some of the bravest acts of the Maratha leaders. It witnessed great battles and the excellence of Chhatrapati Shivaji. Eventually, though, the palace fell to ruins after successive attacks. It was later reconstructed by the Pune Municipal Corporation in 1988. The present Lal Mahal stands on a portion of the original Lal Mahal's land, but it doesn't mirror the design of the original palace. So what will you find there?