Question

When did Shivaji Maharaj decide to raid Lal Mahal?
A. 5th April 1663
B. 5th April 1664
C. 5th April 1665
D. 5th April 1666

Answer 1

Hint:
The Lal Mahal was the very first residence of Shivaji Raje and his mother Jijabai. He raided the place with a select band of soldiers at night on 5th of April to gain control over the place from Shaista Khan.

Complete answer:
 Lal Mahal is located in Pune and is one of the most famous monuments of the place. Lal Mahal was built by Shahji Raje Bhosale, Shivaji’s father in the year 1630 AD for his wife Jijabai and his son. Shivaji Raje lived there for several years until he captured his first fort, the Torna fort in 1645. He also got married to his first wife, Saibai in Lal Mahal.
Towards the end of the 17th Century, the Lal Mahal was ruined and then was eventually razed to the ground as a result of various attacks on the city. Then Shaniwarwada was constructed in 1732 and some soil and stones of Lal Mahal were used in its construction for good luck. In the place of Lal Mahal, some houses were constructed in 1734-35 however the exact location of the Lal Mahal is unknown but it is known to be very close to Shaniwarwada. Lal Mahal was used for arranging feasts for the Brahmins during the thread-ceremony of Sadoba who was the son of Chimaji Appa. The Lal Mahal was reconstructed in 1948 and completed in 1988 but it was not the same as the original one. It is also famous for the encounter between Shivaji and Shaista Khan where his fingers were cut by Shivaji when he was trying to escape Lal Mahal by the window.
Hence, the correct answer is option A.

Note:
 The original Lal Mahal was brought to grounds and ruined by some people so its original location and structure is not known. However a new construction of Lal Mahal was done but it differs from the original one.