In a secluded nook of Khadki’s Cantonment space, the Holkar Chhatri is quietly camouflaged by a sprawling stretch of inexperienced and towering timber. An integral a part of Maratha historical past and an emblem of the Holkar dynasty’s glory, this stunning construction now sits abandoned, its labyrinthine carvings and domes susceptible to the passage of time. The location is a memorial of the Holkar household sardars.
Guests will be capable of observe two memorials and a Mahadev temple, that are managed by Indore-based Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Charities Belief.
In December 2024, the brand new Maharashtra state cupboard granted the Holkar Chhatri the standing of a state-protected monument. The Directorate of Archaeology and Museums has been entrusted with placing up a draft discover beside the monument in each Marathi and English, which can be revealed in Half 4 of the state gazette. For historical past fanatics, the state initiative signifies that the monument will obtain larger care by way of preservation.
Campsite of the Sardars
“Through the reign of Peshwa Bajirao I, Holkar and Shinde have been two outstanding subedars of the Maratha Empire. Shinde was assigned management of the Malwa area, together with Ujjain, whereas the Holkars have been granted the area of Indore. Later, each Sardars would steadily journey to Pune for his or her duties and tenting. The Shindes got the Wanowrie area, which is now often known as the Mahadji Shinde Chhatri, whereas the Holkars got lands close to the banks of the Mula-Mutha River in Khadki to arrange their camp,” says Pune-based historian Pandurang Balkawade.
He provides that Malhar Rao Holkar II, Tukhoji Holkar, and Vithoji Holkar used to reside right here. “Ahilyabai Holkar additionally used to remain right here. When the Maratha energy weakened and the British took over, they established their cantonment on the websites of each these tenting areas,” says Balkawde.
The 18th-century Maratha-style structure of the Chhatri and the temple reveal the period during which the monuments have been constructed. In accordance with Sahapedia, which carried out an intensive mapping train of heritage in Pune, and different locations throughout India, “Although it’s identified that the construction was established in 1730, it’s unclear whom the memorial is devoted to. Some data say that the chhatri (a dome-shaped pavilion) is in honour of Malhar Rao Holkar, an 18th-century Maratha nobleman from the ruling clan of Indore. Different data declare that the chhatri is devoted to Malhar Rao’s youthful brother, Sardar Vithoji Holkar, and his spouse.”
Inside the sanctum sanctorum of the advanced’s Shiva temple are two pindis, or lingas, that are symbolic representations of Lord Shiva. These are regarded as devoted to Vithoji and his spouse, who carried out sati. A second samadhi within the compound is taken into account to be that of Lakhya Bargir, a valiant soldier of Malhar Rao.
A haunted heritage
To the north of the temple lies the 548-foot-long Holkar Bridge, spanning the Mula-Mutha River with its 19 arches and standing 33 toes above the riverbed. Constructed in the course of the Maratha Empire within the 1800s, the bridge was later utilized by the British till they left in 1947.
It’s marked by teak railings for assist and a pedestrian walkway, connecting Khadki with Yerawada. In accordance with a number of native accounts, the bridge is believed to be ‘haunted’ and has been a website of horrible deaths, together with that of a kid.
If there aren’t too many pedestrians on the bridge after darkish, it’s due to the tales of supernatural legends and the uneasiness that the outdated bridge is constructed above a seventeenth century cemetery.
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