Club report for Heritage Club – 26th August 2023
Name of the activity- Visit to Parvati Hill and Peshwa museum
Objective:
To explore and revisit Pune’s glorious past, legacy and heritage of the Peshwa
rule.
Awareness on a significant cultural and historical site in Pune, with a rich
heritage that has been shaped by centuries of worship, military activity, and
residential development.
The members of the Heritage Club of VPMS Pune visited the Peshwa museum which is dedicated to the legacy and heritage of the Peshwa dynasty. Situated on Parvati Hill, the museum is housed in a section of the Peshwa Palace built in 1795 by Nanasaheb Peshwa. A section of this palace has now been converted into the Peshwa Museum. The museum houses many artefacts and collectives of the Peshwa era sourced from various Peshwa mansions, which were explained to the students by the teacher in charge. The collectives included everything related to the Peshwa rulers, from weapons, clothes, jewellery, sword, utensils and drums to street lamp posts, locks, furniture, musical instruments, and riding attire used by royalty. A Peshwa family tree as well as paintings of eminent Maratha leaders like Nanasaheb Peshwa, Chimaji Appa, Bajirao Peshwa, Mastani, and Balaji Vishwanath were on exhibit.
Also on display were coins from the Mughal, Peshwa and British Era that excited the young coin lovers and numismatists. The coins were sourced from the Peshwa, Mughal and British periods and are quite rare and highly valued. Medieval manuscripts related to the Peshwas, as well as some old and rare photographs of Pune city have been put up on display too.
Located right beside the museum is the Samadhi of Shrimant Nanasaheb Peshwa that pays homage to his contribution to the Peshwa Raj. The museum is a walk through the glorious years of art, culture and civilisation that once was a part of Pune during the Peshwa Era. It is an unforgettable experience that depicts the strength, patriotism and passion that the Peshwas lived with.
The visit to the museum reconnected the students and staff to Pune’s glorious, remarkable history and also made them feel extremely proud of their own Pune! In all, it was an enriching, educational and enjoyable trip for all the students.
