The Cry That Never Ended” – The Haunting of Shaniwar Wada

Shaniwar Wada is a saga of grandeur, power, deceit, and tragedy. Shaniwar Wada is located in the ancient city of Pune. The fort, built in the 18th century, was a symbol of glory in the reign of the Maratha Empire. Now, the ruined fort is no less popular in terms of spine-chilling stories than in terms of its historical importance.

Shaniwar Wada, the magnificent fort, was built in 1732 by Baji Rao I. Baji Rao I was the powerful Peshwa (Prime Minister) of the Maratha Confederacy. The magnificent palace was built with extraordinary architecture. The fort was built with huge gates, beautiful courtyards, fountains, and intricately carved teak wood decorations. The fort had seven floors at one point in time and over a thousand inhabitants. This gives an idea about the glory and elegance of the Maratha Empire.

However, the glory of Shaniwar Wada was marred by politics, intrigue, and violence. The worst tragedy that occurred at Shaniwar Wada was the brutal murder of the young Peshwa Narayanrao in 1773. According to historical records, the murder was plotted by Narayanrao’s uncle, Raghunathrao, along with his aunt, Anandibai. The reason behind this murder was to acquire power. The young Peshwa was chased by guards within the walls of Shaniwar Wada. In a desperate attempt to save his life, he cried out, “Kaka, mala vachava!” which means “Uncle, save me!”

This tragic incident formed the background for India’s most popular ghost story.

In 1828, nearly a century after Shaniwar Wada was constructed, a mysterious fire broke out within the palace walls. This fire lasted for seven days, destroying most of Shaniwar Wada. All that remained was the stone walls. The reason behind this mysterious fire remains unknown.

Today, as tourists traverse the remains of Shaniwar Wada, they do not simply talk of history, but of something much more terrifying.

The first of the paranormal activities that has been experienced at the fort is the haunting of the fort by the spirit of Narayanrao. The locals have claimed that there have been instances of a faint sound of cries being heard coming from the fort, especially during full moon nights. The sound, it is claimed, is that of Narayanrao’s final plea for help, which he made as he was being held captive.

There are many other instances of paranormal activities that have been experienced at the fort, which add to its reputation as a haunted fort. There are claims of tourists hearing the sound of footsteps or the sound of chains clanking, especially when there are no people around. There are also claims of tourists seeing shadowy figures flitting about at the corner of their eyes, which disappear as soon as they try to get a better look at them.

There are also tales of mysterious whispers, which seem to be an attempt by unseen entities to communicate. There have also been reports of strange marks on the walls, like hand prints, which seem to have something to do with the violent history of the palace.

Because of these eerie occurrences, many people do not visit Shaniwar Wada at night. Although officially it is a protected monument and a place to visit, the fear associated with it is very strong. The atmosphere at the place is such that it is silent, dark, and steeped in history.

But, as historians often tell us, these ghost stories are deeply rooted in reality. The murder of Narayanrao was not just a ghost story; it was a brutal part of Maratha history. Perhaps, over time, this emotional toll has turned into a ghost story, blurring facts with fantasies.

Whether or not you are a believer in ghosts, Shaniwar Wada is a symbol of how history leaves behind not only ruins but echoes—of voices, pain, and perhaps, something that refuses to be forgotten.