India’s Haunted Shaniwar Wada Fort, Pune

Shaniwar Wada Fort, Pune

The Shaniwar Wada Fort is a historic place of politics, rulers and death that embellishes the city center of Pune, India. The imposing fort continues to stand strong after being constructed in 1732, even after a destructive fire stripped the fort of its interior palace and many other structures in 1828.

Although the fort is certainly a historic destination, it is the dark side of its history that has lead to some seriously eerie ghost stories. These stories have become prevalent to the point that they are openly advertised by the fort’s nightly light and sound show, sealing Shaniwar Wada’s reputation of being one of the most haunted places in India.

Ghosts of Shaniwar Wada Fort in Pune

The Shaniwar Wada Fort of Pune is believed to be haunted by many spirits. Majority of these spirits are sadly thought to be victims of the great fire that ravaged the fort in 1828. In addition to devasting many of the grand structures that formed the fort’s interior, the fire also claimed the lives of many. Years have passed since this devastating fire tore through Shaniwar Wada Fort. Yet, the agonized screams of pain from the fire’s victims burning alive can still be heard echoing from the fort on a still, silent night.

Perhaps the most famous ghost story of Pune’s historic fort relates to a past royal feud. This feud describes complex relationships, which lead to treachery and murder. After a man named Nanasaheb, who had claimed the throne, died, he chose to pass the throne onto his sons. This decision enraged Nanasaheb’s jealous brother, who believed he deserved to rule.

Time passed and the deaths of a few of Nanasaheb’s son’s caused the throne to be passed along until it reached his youngest son Narayanrao, who was just 16 years old. This further angered Narayanrao’s uncle as well as his aunty, who had already conspired to take out the new ruler’s brothers.

Unfortunately for Narayanrao, his own family soon organized to have him assassinated. One night as he slept peacefully in his chambers, he was awoken to a sudden commotion. After waking from his slumber, Narayanrao was viciously hacked into small pieces by his attackers. He screamed out, crying for mercy, repeating the words: “uncle save me.” Following this murder, the dismembered pieces of Narayanrao’s body were disposed of in the nearby river, without proper burial rights.

To this day, many claim to capture the sight of Narayanrao’s apparition throughout the fort, or sometimes walking the banks of the river his body was dumped in. More commonly reported paranormal activity is reported from people passing by the fort who can still hear Narayanrao’s pleads for help to his uncle reverberating off the tall, stone walls.

Visiting Shaniwar Wada Fort

The Shaniwar Wada Fort is a fascinating place to visit in Pune and is of immense historical significance to the area. The fort is open daily to visitors for a small fee and can be explored with or without a guide. The fort also opens nightly for a light and sound show. This consists of fountains, lasers and sounds all telling the fort’s history and paying particular detail to the story of Narayanrao. This show is spoken in Gujarati and was difficult to follow as an English speaker.

If you are interested in learning about other haunted places in Pune, India, check out the haunting of Holkar Bridge.

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