PMC

Nanasaheb Peshwa

Navghane

Kashibai

Watch: Theft, Vandalism at tomb of Shrimant Nanasaheb Peshwa 01:33

Vishrambaug



Nanasaheb Peshwa

Shaniwarwada

Severe damage has been found done to the tomb (samadhi) of Shrimant, also known as Balaji Baji Rao, located on the Mutha riverbed near Poona Hospital. The paduka (carved footprint) has been broken and parts of his biography, that was carved into the walls, are missing.Ironically, neither the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) nor the police are even aware of the theft and damage, clearly indicating that the spot, despite being in the heart of the city, is unquestionably neglected.The incident only came to light on Saturday when Mangesh Navghane, a history enthusiast and former guide of PMC’s Pune Darshan initiative, visited the place with some friends. Seeing the pathetic condition of the tomb and its surrounding area,raised an alarm with the authorities.The tomb was renovated in 2013 by PMC with the help of historian Ninad Bedekar. The padukas were installed in an aesthetically created dome and several carved stones were used to build a fence around the structure. Colourful tiles were placed alongside with a brief biography written, so that people would know about Nanaji Peshwa.Nanaji Peshwa was the second Bajirao Peshwa and son of Kashibai. The recent Bollywood movie Bajirao Mastani, featuring the lives of Bajirao Peshwa and, also helped to popularise the shrine. But now, the signs of neglect are unmistakable.Speaking to Mirror, Navghane said, “We had visited the spot to conduct a cleanliness drive with the help of some volunteer groups, and the scene was horrifying. The place is almost covered with litter. The valuable padukas are missing along, with the stones telling the history of Nanasaheb Peshwa. We have informed the authorities concerned and are planning to lodge an official police complaint. We feel that it is the duty of PMC and the police to maintain the structure.”Admitting that it is indeed that PMC’s responsibility to maintain the structure, Harshada Shinde, head of the civic body’s heritage cell, said, “We are not aware of the theft of the paduka, but it is the responsibility of the ward office to maintain the structure. We will conduct a visit to the spot to check.”“This isn’t a draw for tourists, which is one reason why it is being neglected. We will inform the ward office to deploy a guard here,” she added.When asked, inspector Shrikant Shinde, in-charge ofpolice station, said, “We haven’t received any official complaint yet about the theft. But we will visit the place on Monday. It is a deserted spot and this could have been done by inebriated persons or vandals.”“We will also send a letter to PMC to maintain the place and deploy a guard to avoid further damage of historical monuments,” he added.Nanasaheb ruled as Peshwa from 1740 to 1761 and established many new areas such Nana Peth, Raviwar Peth, Shaniwar Peth and Somwar peth.The Parvati temple on the hill was built during his tenure as was the first bridge across the Mutha river, which was called Lakadi Pul.He also established a reservoir at Katraj to provide clean drinking water for the city. The supply route, from Katraj to, which is 250 years old, is still functional.