Fire of Shaniwar wada in 1828
A massive, mysterious fire in 1828 destroyed the 7-story Shaniwar Wada in Pune, leaving only the stone foundations and walls. The blaze occurred after the British took control in 1818 and lasted for a week. Today, only the stone fortifications and foundations remain.
The 13-story palace complex, built by Peshwa Bajirao I in 1732, suffered significant damage from the fire. Priceless art, murals, and the wooden upper floors were lost.
The fire continued for a week, destroying the complex, which was mostly under British control at the time.
It consumed the seven-story palace, including the Audience Hall, Mirror Hall, and dancing hall. Only the heavy, fortified stone foundations and massive teak wood gates, like the Delhi Darwaja, survived. Only the inner buildings became ruins, leaving the stone structure and gates standing.
The exact cause of the fire is still unknown or debated and is often referred to as a "mysterious fire." Some people believe that British intentionally started the fire or at least let it rampant for a whole week to destroy the significance of the place and erase the Maratha history.
This place was later turned into a mental asylum by the British.