Aga Khan Palace, built in 1892 by Sultan Mohammed Shah Aga Khan III, is one of Pune's most historically significant buildings — commissioned partly as a charitable gesture to provide employment to famine-affected people in the region.
A Site of the Freedom Struggle
The palace's deeper significance comes from its role during India's independence movement: Mahatma Gandhi, his wife Kasturba Gandhi, and several other leaders were held here under British detention following the 1942 Quit India Movement.
Kasturba Gandhi Memorial
Kasturba Gandhi passed away within the palace during this detention in 1944, and a memorial to her stands on the grounds — the palace has since been designated the Gandhi National Memorial in recognition of this history.
What to See
The palace grounds include the detention rooms preserved with photographs and artifacts from the period, sprawling lawns, and the memorial itself, offering a quieter, more reflective visit compared to Pune's livelier attractions.
Visiting Tips
Allow an hour or so to walk the grounds and take in the exhibits — it's a meaningful stop for anyone interested in India's independence history rather than a quick photo stop.
