The Raste Family and the Making of Rasta Peth: Honour, Faith, and Governance in Maratha Pune
Rasta Peth, one of the most historically significant
localities of Pune, carries within its very name the story of a distinguished
Maratha feudal family — the Rastes. Located within easy walking distance of the
Pune Railway Station, this bustling neighborhood is today perhaps best known
for landmarks such as the King Edward Memorial Hospital, popularly called KEM
Hospital. Yet its roots reach deep into the age of the Peshwas and the grandeur
of the Maratha Empire.
The Raste family's original surname was Gokhale, a name well established among Brahmin families of the Deccan. Their title, Raste, meaning one who embodies fairness and rectitude in Marathi, was conferred upon them by the Bijapur monarchy in recognition of their exceptional integrity and honesty in dealings — a rare distinction that reflected the moral standing of the family in an era when loyalty and dharma were held in the highest regard.
The Bhagavad Gita speaks of this very ideal when Bhagavan Krishna instructs Arjuna in Chapter 16, verse 3: "Tejah, ksama, dhritih, saucam, adroho, natimanita — Vigor, forgiveness, fortitude, purity, absence of hatred, and absence of pride — these are the qualities of one born to a divine nature."
The Raste
family, through their conduct, seemed to have embodied precisely such virtues.
A Locality Built on Service and Honour
Rasta Peth was originally known as Shivpuri Peth, and it was
the Raste family that founded and developed the locality, eventually lending it
their name. The Rastes rose to prominence through their steadfast service to
the Peshwa administration, actively participating in the Maratha military
campaigns into Gujarat, Malwa, and Karnataka. Their contributions were not
merely martial — they were administrators, patrons, and builders who left an
enduring physical and cultural imprint on both Pune and the sacred town of Wai
on the banks of the Krishna river.
In Wai and Pune, the Rastes constructed several temples,
ghats, and palaces, enriching the devotional and civic landscape of the region.
Their work in Wai, a town already known for its ancient temples and sacred
ghats, added further luster to a heritage that has drawn pilgrims for
centuries.
Raste Wada: A Monument of Peshwa-Era Architecture
The most celebrated structure associated with the family in
Pune is the Raste Wada, an imposing mansion located in Rasta Peth itself. This
wada was constructed by Thorale Madhavrao, the son of Nanasaheb Peshwa, between
1779 and 1784, and was subsequently bestowed upon the Raste family. Today, the
Raste Wada stands as one of the largest surviving wadas in Pune — a term that
refers to the large courtyard-style mansions that were characteristic of
Peshwa-era aristocratic architecture. These structures, with their wooden
pillars, carved facades, inner courtyards, and tulsi vrindavans, were not
merely residences but living symbols of a family's social, religious, and
political stature.
A Cavalry of Many Faiths
The Raste family maintained a formidable cavalry that
reflected the composite character of Maratha military culture. Their forces
included both horse cavalry and camelry — camel-mounted soldiers who were a
notable feature of certain Maratha and Rajput forces of the era. Remarkably,
their retinue comprised soldiers from multiple faiths and communities, a
testament to the inclusive ethos that characterized the best of Maratha
military tradition.
For the spiritual welfare of their troops, the Rastes built
temples not only in the vicinity of their wada in Pune but also at sites where
their forces had camped during campaigns. This practice of consecrating places
of worship at military encampments was a deeply rooted tradition, ensuring that
soldiers could perform their daily rituals and seek divine blessing before and
after battle.
A Living Heritage
Rasta Peth today is a thriving commercial and residential area, but it remains anchored to the memory of the family that shaped it. The presence of the Raste Wada, the temples they built, and the name of the locality itself are living reminders that Pune's urban geography is inseparable from its history. The story of the Raste family — their honoured title, their service to the Peshwa, their patronage of sacred architecture, and their multi-faith soldiery — offers a rich and nuanced window into the social and political fabric of Maratha Pune at its height.