#history
Gandhiji’s internment in the Agha Khan Palace.
Mahatma Gandhi was interred by the British during the Quit India movement in 1942 along with Katurba Gandhi in suite number 1 of the Agha Khan Palace, Poona.
The Palace was situated in 100 acres at the time, though at present only 20 acres remain. The river Mula flows about 800 meters away.
The government was quite firm in ensuring that Gandhi remained isolated and would only allow the family to visit the prisoners daily, that too after obtaining permission every time.
Kasturba Gandhi passed away during the imprisonment at the age of 74 due to a heart attack in February 1944. Kasturba was ill and had desired to undergo ayurvedic treatment by Vaidyaraj Pandit Shiv Sharan Sharma. Gandhiji gave his consent in writing that he, at his own responsibility, was allowing this, and that the allopathic doctors would not be held responsible for the change in the system of treatment.
Suite 2 was allotted to Gandhiji’s personal secretary, Mahadev Desai. Mahatma Gandhi was heartbroken when Mahadev Desai too passed away. Desai was cremated on the Palace grounds. Desai had completed the English translation of Gandhi’s best selling book, ‘Gita According to Gandhi’. Gandhiji, in the preface of the book, mention that it provides his commentary on the Gita.
Suite 3 was occupied by 63 year Sarojini Naidu, and Suite 4 was occupied by 50 year old Mira Behn, the English lady who had become a disciple of Gandhiji.
Gandhiji’s suite was sparsely furnished with two beds, a table, a chair and an ‘aaram kursi'( reclining chair). It also had a small kitchenette, an attached bathroom with a large bath tub, and facilities for hot and cold water. The bathroom had two doors – one for the servants.
The suite opened onto a garden, where Gandhiji would take his long walks in the company of Sarojini Naidu, Mira Behn, and occasionally, Mahadev Desai. Kasturba was ill most of the time and was often confined to the chair.
– Joy Kallivayalil.
