Vishrambaug Wada Documentation

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HERITAGE DOCUMENTATION: VISHRAMBAUG WADA

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VISHRAMBAGH WADA

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HERITAGE DOCUMENTATION: VISHRAMBAUG WADA

INTRODUCTION Architecture in its raw glory has endured the test of time. The only man-made element that has our relics. In either case, in its solid form, leaving humankind to learn, observe. The cycle of plant and animal life eventually fades in the background, but not with the legacy which is engraved in cities, towns, and streets, buildings, homes along with the sweet scent of culture. It enables humans to understand the shifts in paradigms. Oddly, time waits for none. It has seen the humankind creating, destroying, struggling and surviving. Every inch of land onearth, architecture is evolving and people adapt. It became fasination for many rulers, but lead to war to establish political boundaries.

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HISTORY Maharashtra is bound to loom large in any history of Indian architecture ranging from rock-cut sanctuaries, Buddhist chaityas, viharas, Jain cave temples to Islamic and colonial influences, it experiences a broad vocabulary of architecture, predominantly due to the various leaders that ruled its realm. It was much focused on deliberating to develop domestic architecture in the regional form of courtyard houses. Western Indian region has always been an area of our subjected to constant pressure during all historical periods. Best buildings emerged in that time, enriched with diversity and varieties, which evolved over the decades. The architecture was resilient.

By means of architecture or people, the past is percolating in the present.

The Vishrambaugh Wada at Pune underwent series of alterations with time. Be its extensions in physical form that displays the architecture of various periods of functionality from being a private residence to an educational institute to a museum cum post office today, it demonstrated the most exquisite form of progressive architecture.

VISHRAMBAUG WADA After Mughal’s decline in the 1800s, Marathas took over and swore to keep Indian traditions and cultures intact . In the later half of the century, they secured political stability and wealth under reign of Peshwas. Townships developed and defined house forms called Wadas that stemmed across these settlements. Residential structures were the highly nuanced product of context. Architecture and ornamentation of buildings, materials, and techniques documented social and cultural life. One such example of historical, and diverse architectural influence, is ‘THE VISHRAMBAUG WADA’, Pune. Built as a residential quarter for Bajirao Peshwa in 1811, the structure became an integral part of the rich cultural legacy of the city.

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HERITAGE DOCUMENTATION: VISHRAMBAUG WADA

EXPANSION OF MARATHA

CHHATRAPATI SHIVAJI MAHARAJ

CHHATRAPATI SHAHU MAHARAJ

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (1627 AD- 1680 AD):

Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was the greatest ruler, conquered Maharashtra and the areas surrounding it.

Peacetime pursuits such as patronage of architectural works were rare luxurious fortifications were need of the hour.

Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj was the grandson of Shivaji Maharaj. He brought a major change in Maratha politics. They virtually retired from active politics and reposed the leadership of Marathas to Peshwas.

(1707 AD- 1749 AD):

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Peshwas were the heridatory prime ministers of Maratha Empire and later assumed as numro unopositions in marathas. Peshwas focused on promoting indigenous traditions and improving cultural stability. This provided imperus for proliferation of wada. Evolution of wadas is intrinsically related with Peshwas.

ARCHITECTURAL EVOLUTION Early construction activities under the Marathas were deeply influenced by the need for defensible and secure structures such as forts. With time these forts are morphed into scarce mansions. The Shanivar Wada marks the initiation of the Peshwa rule in Pune from lavish residential spaces, extensive courtyards to beautiful gardens.

Changes in the spatial and the formal axis occurred as the Wada traveled from its place of origin to new lands, assimilating new local styles and technologies and adapting to different climates, topography, and the needs of the various user group.

Over a period of time as threats to Maratha Empire dwindles, the Wadas became increasingly fanciful and decorative in nature. It incorporated a multitude of architectural embellishments such as fluted columns and intricate carvings on wooden support structures, brackets, consoles, ceilings, doors, and door frames.

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HERITAGE DOCUMENTATION: VISHRAMBAUG WADA

TIMELINE PESHWA

BAJIRAO

Peshwa Bajirao was appointed by Shahu Maharaj. Bajirao moved the administration of the Maratha Empire to Pune and gave it a fortified base, “The Shaniwar Wada” palace of the Peshwas.

1. Kasba 2. Somwar Peth 3. Mangalwar Peth 4. Shaniwar Peth 5. Budhwar Peth 6. Ravivar Peth 7. Shaniwar Wada fortification.

8. Sukhrawar Peth 9. Guruwar Peth 10. Ganesh Peth.

A.D. 1740

PESHWA

A.D. 1761

NANASAHEB Peshwa Nanasaheb came up with an intricate water system “The Katraj Shaniwar Wada Pipeline” through which water was supplied to over 100000 residents by only using the natural gradient.

1. Kasba 2. Somwar Peth 3. Mangalwar Peth 4. Shaniwar Peth 5. Budhwar Peth 6. Ravivar Peth 7. Shaniwar Wada fortification.

8. Sukhrawar Peth 9. Guruwar Peth 10. Ganesh Peth.

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Madhavrao contributed tremendously to the Maratha Empire, in spite of opposition.

He established the Sadashiv Peth which later became the affluent part of the Pune city giving rise to its unique sub-culture.

PESHWA

MADHAVRAO

11. Meethgang Peth 12. Shivapur Peth 13. Nagesh Peth 14. Shavani Peth 15. Sadashiv Peth 16. Musafarjang Peth 17. Narayan Peth 18. Ghorpade Peth 19. Navapura Peth 20. [NANA] Hanumant Peth 21. Narsipura Peth.

A.D. 1772

A.D. 1805

PESHWA

BAJIRAO II

11. Meethgang Peth 12. Shivapur Peth 13. Nagesh Peth 14. Shavani Peth 15. Sadashiv Peth 16. Musafarjang Peth 17. Narayan Peth 18. Ghorpade Peth

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19. Navapura Peth 20. [NANA] Hanumant Peth 21. Narsipura Peth.

Bajirao II built lavish palaces from himself like Vishrambaug Wada & Datar Wada.

His rule was largely criticised forcing him to seek help from the English which paved way for their rule in the country.

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HERITAGE DOCUMENTATION: VISHRAMBAUG WADA

WADA TYPOLOGY A Wada is an introverted house form in which the courtyard becomes the focus of the house, whereas the periphery is clearly defined as the built form surrounding the courtyard. It served as a receptacle from an indigenous way of spatial hierarchies interflow of spaces and different domestic uses ascribe the underlying conceptions of space, privacy, gender, and family. Wadas tend to be organized around a nucleus, which could be either a built form or an open space. The nucleus’s specific nature, whether it be a chowk, a temple, a fortified Garhi, or a palatial Rajwada determined the type of Wada.

MAHARASHTRA Maharashtra has been classified by the traditional regions based upon geographical variables the coastal, or the Konkan region the plateau of the Desh, Khandesh, Marathwada, and the Vidarbha which are in the plains of the social stratification exists in every region and becomes the sub-classification within the region.

Variations in the forms of Wadas can be linked with social stratification and the nature of use the Wada was intended for the houses inhabited by Brahmins, Kshatriya noblemen, merchants, and common men differ not just in scale and the degree of sculptural or painted embellishment lavished upon them but also in terms of their spatial organization and hierarchies.

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KHANDESH

Temple was the nucleus of village.

Layout of Ordinary Wadas

The visual continuity of the facade was maintained by the uninterrupted balconies that were projected beyond the facade as well as the plinths extended through the width of dwelling units.

Street facade

DESH Section through Garhi

Garhi or Rajwada is the focus of the town with other Wadas built on long narrow plots.

Desh is an area that was a part of political power.

Wadas show variation in plot sizes and have sloped roofs as they receive moderate rainfall.

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HERITAGE DOCUMENTATION: VISHRAMBAUG WADA

KONKAN

Steep Pitched Roof

The Portuguese stylistic influence is evident in colonial arches of the facade and the stained windows of the Wadas.

Wide Streets

Streets are usually wide & long with wider square plots.

Square Plots

MARATHWADA

The facades of the Wadas were flat as they are not ornamented with any projecting elements.

Narrow Streets

The corners of the Wadas were invariably rounded to facilitate the movements of riders along the narrow cobbled streets.

Each Wadas was introverted and the roofs in these regions were flat because of scant rainfall. The streets are narrow and deep.

VIDARBHA

Large Courtyard

Section through Wada North-south orientation

The Wadas was oriented along the north-south sunlight axis to minimize the harsh sunlight.

Large courtyards moderate the hot and dry climate of this region. Vidarbha being the alternate seat of power had Rajwadas built there

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