Pune: Fire Damages Narayan Darwaja Gate at Historic Shaniwarwada Fort
Kasba Peth, 13th March 2026: A fire broke out near the rear entrance of the historic Shaniwarwada fort on Thursday afternoon after dry leaves and fallen tree branches caught fire, resulting in damage to the Narayan Darwaja gate. The monument is a protected heritage structure and was once the administrative seat of the Peshwas in Pune.
According to officials from the Pune Fire Brigade, the blaze was reported around 12.30 pm. Firefighters from the Kasba Peth fire station rushed to the site and brought the flames under control. Initial inspection indicated that the outer portion of the wooden gate suffered burn damage, though the exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined.
Fire officer Kamlesh Chaudhari said the team quickly extinguished the flames after arriving at the spot. “When the fire was put out, we noticed that the front section of the door had been scorched. The source of ignition is still being examined,” he said.
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has initiated an inquiry into the incident. Officials said the area around the monument is generally cleaned on a regular basis, but they will investigate how combustible waste accumulated and how it ignited. Pradeep Avhad, ward officer of the PMC’s Kasba-Vishrambaug ward office, said further action, including the possibility of filing a complaint, will be decided after the inquiry report is completed.
Shaniwarwada, a fortified palace complex built in 1732 by Peshwa Bajirao I, remains one of Pune’s most prominent historical landmarks. The structure has witnessed several significant episodes from the Peshwa era, including political intrigue, internal conflicts and the eventual decline of the Maratha power centre in Pune.
The Narayan Darwaja gate holds historical significance as it is associated with the assassination of Narayanrao Peshwa in 1773. Historians say his body was taken out of the fort through this rear gate for the last rites after the killing, which was allegedly orchestrated by his uncle Raghunathrao and aunt Anandibai.
