Following the funeral rites of Maharani Saibai at Rajgad Fort in September 1659, a stone memorial (Samadhi) was erected at the site of her cremation near the Padmavati Machi section of the fortress. Constructed under the direction of Shivaji Maharaj and his royal architects, the Samadhi served as a permanent tribute to the first chief queen consort of the sovereign Maratha state.
The erection of the shrine was completed amidst intense wartime preparations for the clash against Afzal Khan. Built in the traditional Maratha funerary style using dark local basalt stone, the structure reflected both Hindu cremation customs and royal dignity. Its position on Rajgad—the capital of the Maratha realm for over two decades—ensured that the memorial remained at the geographic and spiritual core of Hindavi Swarajya.
Over the centuries, Maharani Saibai's Samadhi at Rajgad Fort became a revered site of historic memory and pilgrimage. It stands today as a tangible physical monument to the personal sacrifices made by the women of the Bhosale dynasty during the grueling foundational years of the Maratha Empire.
Why it matters
The Samadhi of Maharani Saibai at Rajgad Fort stands as one of the few surviving original physical monuments dedicated to early Maratha royalty. It symbolizes the immense respect Shivaji Maharaj held for his first queen and serves as an important site of cultural heritage detailing early Maratha funerary architecture.
Interesting fact
Maharani Saibai's Samadhi is situated near the ancient Padmavati Temple complex on Rajgad, directly overlooking the strategic valley pathways that Shivaji defended during his early campaigns.
People
- Maharani SaibaiLate Chief Queen Consort honored at the memorial
- Chhatrapati Shivaji MaharajKing who commissioned the Samadhi
- Rajmata JijabaiQueen Mother who oversaw royal customs at Rajgad
Location
Padmavati Machi, Rajgad Fort · Pune district · India
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