Bajajwadi - The National Guest House, Wardha

Bajajwadi, The National Guest House in Wardha, Maharashtra.

A historic destination, made in the Indian architectural manner, the importance of Bajajwadi is not only that it was the home to Jamnalal Bajaj, but also the fact that when Gandhiji settled in Sevagram, Wardha in Maharashtra, political leaders, freedom fighters, social activists and all sorts of important people came to here to meet Gandhiji. Consequently, the place became the epicenter of Gandhiji's constructive and political activities and also served as the venue for many Congress Working Committee meetings. Jamnalalji used to play host to them. Bajajwadi, then became popular as the National Guest House with eminent leaders visiting and staying here. The meeting place for Gandhian 'revolutionaries', the birthplace of ideas that changed India's destiny, Bajajwadi had a lot happening within its four walls.

(R-L) Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, Jamnalalji, C. Rajagopalachari and Govind Ballabh Pant in a jovial mood

Sardar Patel, Jamnalalji, Dr. Rajendra Prasad and Kamalnayanji have a casual conversation at Bajajwadi, Wardha

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Dr Rajendra Prasad, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Sarojini Naidu, Netaji Subhas Bose, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, Acharya Kripalani, Dr. Pattabhi Sitaramayya stayed at Bajajwadi when they visited Wardha. Many of them had specific rooms allotted to them and the rooms are still associated with their names. One wonders how humble the great men of the yore could be as one sees the pictures of all these men and women seated in a pangat on the floor partaking of their meals.

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, among other leaders being served at Bajajwadi.

In 1935 a World Peace Conference was held here. The Working Committee of the Indian National Congress held several of its meetings at Bajajwadi. The first draft of the resolution of the 'Quit India Movement' of 1942 was prepared, discussed and passed here. Bajajwadi, is now maintained by the Jamnalal Bajaj Seva Trust. Even today, Bajajwadi reverberates with an aura reminiscent of that era.