Pune: CM Fadnavis Inaugurates Chapekar Brothers Memorial in Pimpri-Chinchwad; Opens to Public from 1st May
Reported By Varad Bhatkhande
Pimpri Chinchwad, 18th April 2025: To honour the lives and sacrifices of the renowned Indian freedom fighters and revolutionaries, the Chapekar Brothers, a memorial and national museum has been established at their ancestral Wada in Pimpri-Chinchwad. Today, the first phase of the memorial was inaugurated by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. During the ceremony, the history of the Chapekar Brothers was revisited. The memorial will be open to the public from 1st May.
With a special virtual message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, CM Fadnavis was joined by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil, and other dignitaries. Padma Shri Girish Prabhune, who has extensively worked on preserving the Chapekar Brothers’ legacy, was also present. Members of the Chapekar family were honoured during the event.
The Wada, now transformed into a memorial and museum, is located in Chinchwad Gaon, just 200 metres from Veer Chapekar Chowk. With the completion of the first phase, both the ground and first floors have been constructed. Seamlessly blending culture, art, and technology, the Wada offers a visually enriching experience for visitors. This modern memorial and museum aims to connect the heroic legacy of the Chapekar Brothers with the younger generation.
The Chapekar Brothers—Damodar, Balkrishna, and Vasudeo—were Indian revolutionaries from Chinchwad, Pune, who assassinated British Plague Commissioner W.C. Rand and his escort Lt. Ayerst on 22nd June 1897. The act was in response to the oppressive measures enforced during the 1896–97 bubonic plague, including forced entries, public stripping of women, and the desecration of religious sites. Outraged by these actions, the brothers took a bold stand during Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. They, along with their accomplices, were later convicted and hanged. Their courage remains a significant chapter in India’s early resistance to British rule.
The memorial vividly portrays 14 key incidents from the lives of the Chapekar Brothers to help visitors understand their journey.
CM Fadnavis remarked, “The use of technology in this memorial is commendable. Fourteen important events from their lives have been presented in a powerful way. This will help connect their history with us and allow us to see how they truly lived.”
