Aga Khan Palace Palace
Historic palace in Pune associated with Gandhi imprisonment
Aga Khan Palace in Pune served as a detention site during the Indian independence movement and now houses a Gandhi memorial; visitors tour the colonial-era building, gardens and exhibitions on the freedom struggle.
Aga Khan Palace at a Glance#
Address: Aga Khan Palace, Camp, Yerwada, Pune, Maharashtra 411006, India
Website: https://punecorporation.org
Hours: Daily 9:30am-5:30pm
Admission: INR 40-50 for Indian visitors; foreigner rates may apply for combined museum entries (varies)
About Aga Khan Palace#
The Aga Khan Palace is a large late 19th-century palace in Pune, Maharashtra, built in 1892 by Sultan Muhammed Shah Aga Khan III. It is an important site in modern Indian history and houses a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi and other leaders who were incarcerated there.
The palace complex includes broad lawns, formal gardens and a substantial main building in an Italianate style, now containing museum galleries with photographs, letters and personal effects related to the independence movement. The grounds contain the samadhi and memorial tombs of Mahatma Gandhi, Kasturba Gandhi and Mahadev Desai.
Constructed as a charitable and residence project by the Aga Khan, the palace was requisitioned during the 1940s and used as a prison for leaders of the Quit India movement; Gandhi and several associates were held there. After independence it became a site of commemoration and a museum documenting that period.
The palace stands in the Yerwada area of Pune in Maharashtra, within the municipal boundaries of the city and is visited as part of Pune’s historic and cultural attractions.
- Built 1892: Built in 1892 by Sultan Muhammed Shah Aga Khan III, the palace served as a prison for leaders of the Indian independence movement after the 1942 Quit India movement.
What to See#
- Gandhi memorial and samadhi: The Gandhi memorial and samadhi complex housing the tombs of Mahatma Gandhi, Kasturba Gandhi and Mahadev Desai, located on the palace grounds.
- Palace museum galleries: Museum galleries within the palace that display letters, photographs and personal items related to the freedom movement and the Gandhi family’s time at the site.
How to Get to Aga Khan Palace#
Aga Khan Palace is in Yerwada, Pune, about 6-8 km from Pune Railway Station. Taxis and app-based rides are the most convenient; local buses serve the Yerwada area as well. Allow 20-40 minutes from central Pune depending on traffic.
Tips for Visiting Aga Khan Palace#
- Allow at least 1.5-2 hours to explore both the palace and the Gandhi Memorials.
- Visit on weekdays to avoid Pune weekend crowds and school groups.
- Pair with a visit to the nearby Osho International Meditation Resort or Aga Khan Museum if time permits.
Best Time to Visit Aga Khan Palace#
Best visited in winter (November-February) for mild, dry weather and pleasant walking conditions.
Weather & Climate near Aga Khan Palace#
Aga Khan Palace's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with hot summers (peaking in May) and warm winters (coldest in December). Temperatures range from 12°C to 37°C. Moderate rainfall (707 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Ideal | 13° - 29° | 21° | 1 mm | mostly sunny | 54% | 1.0 m/s | 1.4 high | 11.0h |
| February | Ideal | 14° - 32° | 23° | 0 mm | clear | 45% | 1.3 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.4h |
| March | Ideal | 17° - 35° | 26° | 2 mm | clear | 39% | 1.5 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 11.9h |
| April | Excellent | 21° - 37° | 29° | 11 mm | clear | 42% | 2.0 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.4h |
| May | Excellent | 23° - 36° | 32° | 43 mm | mostly sunny | 57% | 3.0 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.9h |
| June | Good | 23° - 32° | 30° | 114 mm | overcast | 80% | 3.0 m/s | 1.8 very high | 13.1h |
| July | Good | 22° - 28° | 25° | 184 mm | overcast | 89% | 3.2 m/s | 1.4 high | 13.0h |
| August | Good | 22° - 27° | 25° | 111 mm | overcast | 91% | 2.6 m/s | 1.4 high | 12.6h |
| September | Very Good | 21° - 29° | 25° | 121 mm | overcast | 89% | 1.9 m/s | 1.7 very high | 12.1h |
| October | Excellent | 20° - 31° | 25° | 88 mm | some cloud | 80% | 1.2 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.6h |
| November | Ideal | 16° - 30° | 23° | 26 mm | mostly sunny | 72% | 1.1 m/s | 1.4 high | 11.2h |
| December | Ideal | 13° - 28° | 21° | 6 mm | mostly sunny | 63% | 1.0 m/s | 1.3 high | 10.9h |
