| Aga
Khan Palace is one of the most glorious monuments of Pune,
situated in the Yerawada area. The palace dates back to
the year 1892 and was constructed under the sponsorship
of Sultan Mohammed Shah, Aga Khan III. There was a noble
cause behind its construction. In the decade around 1890s,
the area around Pune was hit by a harsh famine. Sultan
Mohammed Shah ordered the construction of this palace,
in order to provide employment to the drought-hit people.
Even the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi have been interred
at Aga Khan Palace. Since the palace is so closely connected
with Mahatma Gandhi, it is often known by the name of
Gandhi National Memorial also. It serves as the venue
of exhibitions, depicting the life and career of Mahatma
Gandhi, on a repeated basis. Agakhan Palace was also
one of the shooting locales of the famous movie 'Gandhi',
based on the life of Bapu. A museum is also situated
inside the premises of the palace.
In the year 1969, Prince Karim El Husseni, Aga Khan
IV, donated Agakhan Palace to the Government of India.
He planned it to be used by the Government in honor
of Mahatma Gandhi and his philosophy. Today, the palace
houses the samadhis of Kasturba Gandhi (wife of Mahatma
Gandhi) and Mahadev Desai (a long time aid of Mahatma
Gandhi). It is because of the reason that both the individuals
left for the holy abode, in the palace itself. After
their death, Charles Correa got their samadhis built
in the palace grounds.
Depicted inside the museum, is a rich and a very wide
collection of pictures, which symbolize almost each
and every significant happening in the life of Mahatma
Gandhi. One can also see a number of items displayed
here, which were used by Gandhji when he was alive.
These include his tackle, clothes, mala, chappals (slippers),
etc. The management of the museum, samadhis and campus
of the Agakhan Palace is being looked after the Gandhi
Memorial Society, since the year 1980.
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