Rao Bahadur Ganpat Mahadev Kenjale  (1844-1929)
Recollecting histories of Pune’s Engineers and Builders 





 The bustling Kenjale Chowk on Lakshmi Road was named after the Kenjale family who built their residences there. Ganpat Mahadev Kenjale, born in 1844, rose to become a successful public works contractor in colonial times. He built numerous arched stone masonry bridges, which are still standing strong across the rivers of Pune and on the Bhima, Krishna, Tapi and God rivers. The British government bestowed him with the honorific title Rao Bahadur in appreciation of his skills and timely completion of contracts.

The iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj bridge which connects Shaniwar Wada to the Pune Municipal Corporation building for the last 101 years, proved to be a particular challenge. In an unexpected heavy rainfall, the temporary embankment made for the construction of this bridge was washed away twice. The second time this occurred was just three days before the unveiling ceremony scheduled on 8th November 1922. The third time, G.M. Kenjale offered prayers at the temple in Kasba Peth for the smooth and timely completion of the bridge. Following which he donated a silver shrine to the Ganpati temple at Kasba Peth, still adorning the Ganesh idol today.

Rao Bahadur Ganpat Mahadeo Kenjale had three sons, Kondiba G. Kenjale, Ramchandra G. Kenjale, and Dhondiba G. Kenjale, who helped their father in coordinating the works on different building sites. Ganpatrao Kenjale’s grandson, Haribhau Ramchandra Kenjale was elected President of the erstwhile Poona City Municipality in 1935. He pursued India’s Independence as a member of the Indian National Liberal Federation (INLF party) and presided over the Berar and C.P. Kshatriya Mali Vidyarthi conference at Amravati. 

The Kenjale family owned multiple properties near Parvati Hill, on Lakshmi Road and in Shivajinagar. Today, the legacy is carried forward by the fifth generation of Kenjale members who are active in real estate.

Image courtesy : Kenjale family; Public Works Department Pune region; and Lawate, Mandar. Pune Ekekali, Monochrome Memoirs. Pune: Paperleaf, 2018.