Lal Mahal
The palace where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj spent his childhood with Jijabai. Rebuilt in the old city next to Shaniwar Wada.
Quick facts
- Location:
- Kasba Peth, near Shaniwar Wada
- Built:
- 1630s
- Built by:
- Shahaji Raje Bhosale
- Today:
- Rebuilt memorial with a garden
- Timings:
- Check before visiting
History
Shahaji Raje Bhosale built Lal Mahal in the 1630s for his wife Jijabai and their young son Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj grew up here, and it was from Pune that he began to build the Maratha state.
Lal Mahal is also remembered for a famous night in 1663. The Mughal general Shaista Khan had taken over the palace, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj entered it with a small band of men and attacked him. Shaista Khan escaped but lost his fingers, and soon left Pune.
The original palace did not survive. The building you see today was rebuilt by the Pune Municipal Corporation in the late twentieth century, on the old site.
What you can see today
- A red brick building in the old style, with paintings on the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
- A statue of Jijabai with the young Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj ploughing the land of Pune with a golden plough, a well-known story of how the town was revived.
- A small garden that is popular with families in the evening.
How to reach
Lal Mahal stands in Kasba Peth, a few minutes' walk from Shaniwar Wada. Walking is the easiest way to see both, together with Kasba Ganpati nearby.
Tips for visitors
- Plan for about half an hour.
- Visit together with Shaniwar Wada and Kasba Ganpati.
More in Historical Pune
- Shaniwar Wada The fortified palace of the Peshwas in the heart of old Pune. Built in 1732, burnt in 1828, and still the best-known landmark of the city.
- Kesari Wada Home of Lokmanya Tilak and of the Kesari newspaper. A museum on Tilak and one of the best-known Ganesh festivals of Pune.
- Vishrambaug Wada The mansion of Peshwa Bajirao II, known for its carved wooden front. One of the finest wadas still standing in Pune.
- Aga Khan Palace A grand palace from 1892 where Mahatma Gandhi was held during the Quit India movement. Kasturba Gandhi's memorial is here.
- Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum One man's lifetime collection of everyday Indian art: lamps, musical instruments, nutcrackers and more, in a museum in the old city.
- Pataleshwar Cave Temple A rock-cut Shiva temple from about the eighth century, carved out of a single hill right in the middle of Shivajinagar.
Questions and answers
Who lived in Lal Mahal?
Jijabai and the young Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj lived here. Shahaji Raje Bhosale built it for them in the 1630s.
Is Lal Mahal the original building?
No. The original palace was lost over time. The present building was rebuilt by the Pune Municipal Corporation on the old site.
Sources: Written by PuneDiary. Facts checked 10 October 2026.