Gandhi National Memorial Society
| Place | Pune |
|---|---|
| State | Maharashtra |
| Virtual Museum | No |
| Year of Establishment | 1974 |
| Museum Type | Memorial / Biographical Museum |
| National Importance Museum | Yes |
| Address | Agakhan Palace, Nagar Road, Kalyani Nagar, Pune, Maharashtra 411006 |
| Visiting Time | 09:00 AM – 05:30 PM (Daily). Open on Public Holidays. |
| Entry Fee | ₹25 (Indians) ₹300 (Foreigners) Free for children. |
Museum Introduction
The Gandhi National Memorial Society is headquartered at the historic Aga Khan Palace in Pune. Built in 1892 by Sultan Muhammed Shah Aga Khan III, the palace served as a prison for Mahatma Gandhi, Kasturba Gandhi, and Mahadev Desai from 1942 to 1944. In 1969, the palace was donated to the nation by Aga Khan IV, and the society was later entrusted with managing the museum and samadhis located within the 19-acre campus.
General Collections
The museum occupies the ground floor of the palace, featuring galleries that document the Quit India Movement and Gandhi's time in Pune. The collection includes a vast array of high-quality photographs, paintings by artists like Dinendranath Brahma, and interactive charts. It serves as a visual biography of the Mahatma's later years and his social reforms.
Unique Historical Collections
Samadhis: Marble memorials (cenotaphs) of Kasturba Gandhi and Mahadev Desai, who both passed away during their internment. The Gandhi Samadhi: A similar structure housing a portion of Mahatma Gandhi's ashes. Personal Effects: Gandhi’s writing desk, dining table, spinning wheel (charkha), and the specific room where Kasturba Gandhi breathed her last.
Additional Information
| Archaeological Survey of India | Yes |
|---|---|
| Notes | The Aga Khan Palace is a masterpiece of Italianate architecture with sprawling lawns and 2.5-meter-wide corridors. The Gandhi National Memorial Society organizes several public functions here, including Martyr's Day (Jan 30) and Ba-Bapu Awards (Oct 2). The site is a major center for women's empowerment and vocational training. |
| Artifacts | Gandhi’s slippers (chappals); Hand-written letters; Original utensils and clothes; Commemorative coins; 19th-century oil paintings; Miniature models of the palace complex; Khadi textiles in the onsite shop. |
| Highly Descriptive | Yes |
| Contact Details |
+91 20 2668 0250 +91 20 2999 7547 |
| Email ID | gandhimemorial80@gmail.com |