Vishrambaug Wada

Vishrambaug Wada is a historic three-storeyed mansion in Sadashiv Peth, Pune, built in the early 19th century as the residence of Peshwa Baji Rao II. Located on Thorale Bajirao Road, it exemplifies Maratha architecture with intricate teak woodwork and carved balconies. The structure currently houses municipal offices, a post office, and a museum displaying Maratha artifacts. It remains a significant heritage site reflecting Peshwa-era grandeur amidst central Pune's bustling market area.

Visitors can explore portions of this historic mansion featuring ornate teak pillars, cypress-shaped columns, and intricately carved ceilings. A small museum displays Maratha artifacts curated by historian Babasaheb Purandare. The ground floor includes an operational post office and a handicraft shop. Some areas remain restricted as they house government offices. The site offers insight into Peshwa residential architecture and 19th-century Maratha craftsmanship within a busy urban setting.

Built between 1807 and 1811 at a cost of Rs 200,000, Vishrambaug Wada served as the preferred residence of Peshwa Baji Rao II over Shaniwar Wada for eleven years until his defeat in the Third Anglo-Maratha War. After British takeover, it was used as a jail and later housed Pune Municipal Corporation offices from 1930 to 1958. The mansion represents late Peshwa-era residential architecture and witnessed the transition from Maratha to British rule in Pune.

The wada exemplifies traditional Maratha domestic architecture with its wooden structural system, carved teak facades, and Meghadambari balcony. It serves as a cultural repository through its museum of Maratha artifacts and continues to function as a living heritage site with active government offices and postal services. The SMILE handicraft shop supports local women artisans, maintaining community engagement with the heritage space.