The Ghostly Screams from Pune’s Shaniwar Wada Fort – Moon Mausoleum

Every full moon it is said that the dying screams of the young Peshwa Prince that was brutally murdered echoes through Shaniwar Wada Fort. The murder was so horrible that it is said to have opened for every spirit that died in the old fort. 

Pune, the cultural capital of Maharashtra, is a city steeped in history and mystery. The Maratha Empire was an early modern India that controlled large portions in the 18th century, at its peak in 1758 from the south to the Sutlej River in the north until its fall in 1818. 

And when it comes to mysterious tales, the Shaniwar Wada Fort stands out as one of the most intriguing and haunting structures in the city. 

Built in the 1730 century and was the seat of the Peshwas until 1818 when they lost it to the East India Company. The Peshwa was the second highest rank in the Maratha Empire, serving as a prime minister and de facto ruler when it became hereditary position in 1749. 

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The Shaniwar Wada Fort was witness to several historical events, including political intrigues, battles, and even a tragic supernatural incident. The fort’s eerie atmosphere and the unsolved mysteries surrounding it have fascinated locals and visitors alike for generations. 

From the mysterious footsteps that echo through its corridors at night to the blood-curdling screams that can be heard on full-moon nights, the Shaniwar Wada Fort has been the subject of many chilling tales. 

The Ghosts of the Peshwa’s at Shaniwar Wada Fort

The Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao was the 8th Peshwa from 1740 until his death in 1761. He was also known under the name, Nana Saheb and had three sons – Madhav, Vishwas and Narayan Rao. Under Peshwa Nana Saheb’s reign the empire reached its peak and golden era, but it went downhill for his family from then on. His eldest son, Vishwas Rao died in battle and the 8th Peshwa got depressed after his first son died and died in 1761. 

The burden was too heavy on the second son Madhav Rao who was appointed the 9th Peshwa after his father and brothers death at the age of 16 with his uncle Raghunath Rao acting as his regent for a long time. But their relationship turned sour however and the uncle was put under house arrest. 

The young prince got tuberculosis though and the sickness killed him slowly until his death in 1772 and his death was seen as the start of the end of the Maratha Confederacy.  

Because Madhac Rao died slowly, he also had the time to appoint the next heir, and he chose his younger brother, Narayan Rao, although his performance didn’t really impress anyone. 

The Tragic Life of Narayan Rao

Narayan Rao (नारायणराव पेशवे) was a young man of only 16 or 18 when it was announced. The fact that he was to inherit the title and seat was not taken well by his relatives. His uncle Raghunath Rao and his wife Anandi Bai were ambitious and willing to go far to get the power. Even though they were in house arrest, the uncle tried to escape several times and the scheming continued.

It is said that they hired a tribe of hunters known as Gardis by letter. The Gardi soldiers were employed by the Peshwa for police duty around the palace and in Pune. They had no personal attachment to their employer and were soldiers from North India, Ethiopia, Arabs and so on. During Madhav Rao’s reign he had emptied the treasury and owed them many years of payments. It is also said that they used the Kalbelia tribe, which are a snake charming tribe from the desert in Rajasthan. 

The letter from the uncle was supposed to say:  “Narayan Rao la dhara”, which means “Hold Narayan Rao” as his plan was to kidnap him and hold him in a house arrest. However, his wife got hold of the letter and changed it to “Narayan Rao la mara” which means “Kill Narayan Rao”. 

The assassination happened during the Ganesh Chathurhu Festival in August with over 500 men storming the Shaniwar Wada Fort. 

They got him from his chambers and they chopped his body into small pieces and threw them in a nearby river to rid themselves of evidence. It is also said that his remains were gathered in a bundle to be cremated. But did he? There is a rumor that because of his murder and because he didn’t even get a cremation he returned as a ghost. 

The Ghostly Sightings at Shaniwar Wada Fort

Legend has it that his ghost still haunts the Shaniwar Wada Fort, and on full-moon nights, his blood-curdling screams can be heard echoing through the corridors of the fort. “Kaka Mala Vacchva“ he screams which means “Please save me uncle”. Visitors to the fort have reported feeling an eerie presence and hearing strange noises, making it a prime location for ghost hunters and paranormal enthusiasts.

The Shaniwar Wada Fort has been the site of several ghostly sightings over the years and people are discouraged to enter it after 6:30 in the evening. Visitors have reported seeing the ghost of a young prince roaming the corridors of the fort and heard his screams on full moon nights

It is even said that the 13th and the last Peswha, Baji Rao II believed in the presence of the ghost. To satisfy and appease the ghost he planted thousands of mango trees around Pune city as well as donating  to Brahmins and religious institutions. 

Other Ghosts Haunting the Fort

But it is not only the young prince that is said to be haunting the Shaniwar Wada Fort as the murder was so heinous and awful and said to have opened a portal to the underworld for the other people that died inside of the fort. 

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Others have reported seeing the ghost of a lady in white, who is said to have been a courtesan in the Peshwa court once upon a time. These ghostly sightings only add to the overall mystery and intrigue of the fort.

The Mysteries of Shaniwar Wada Fort Remain Unsolved

Another strange thing that happened was the fire. Pune fortress broke out in 1828 when the British controlled it. The fire lasted for 7 days and destroyed everything but the stone part of the building. No one has found out what really happened and how it started. 

The Shaniwar Wada Fort is an iconic structure that has stood the test of time. Its haunting legend, mysterious architecture, and supernatural occurrences have fascinated visitors for generations. While some of the fort’s mysteries have been solved, many still remain unsolved.

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